A plethora of weekend’s racing lie in store once more, with action from the breadth of the country. Fantastic national hunt racing takes place at Kelso, Doncaster and Newbury, as well as action from Gowran Park across the Irish Sea. Saturday is a day of contrast and information, en route to the festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree, with plenty on show. The consistent and reliable Ballabriggs is expected to be seen at Kelso in the Totesport Premier Chase, Ruby Walsh will also be on the comeback road to Cheltenham, as he takes on some promising looking rides for the champion trainer Paul Nicholls. There should also be a chance for Newbury to redeem itself after the tragedies of three weeks ago.
A partnership that seems to be flourishing at the moment is that of trainer George Charlton and his stable jockey Jan Faltejsek, The Czech native has formed a formidable partnership with the trainer since coming over as an 18 year old to work the Newmarket gallops in 2005. Since then he has become a very polished jockey, and takes the ride on FREDDIE BROWN, in the novices hurdle race at Kelso. After winning a bumper, he was not since this season until 257 days later, finishing a respectable 5th of 17 in a novice’s hurdle, with the form working out very well indeed, with 2nd, 3rd and 4th in their next run all finishing second or better.
Staying with Kelso and another one of their showpiece events is the Kelso Hurdle. STORM BRIG looks to have an excellent chance on both form and ratings. He won 2 from 3 in bumpers, before turning to hurdling. He is 2 from 2, with both races working out very well. The last run at Newcastle last month being particularly so, with the second, third and sixth all winning next time out, and the horse finishing fourth that today finishing second next time out. Brian Harding takes the ride again and is cracking form, so fingers crossed both can make the hatrick.
A horse that is intriguing more than anything is the quirky and often unpredictable OSCAR PAPA. The Nick Gifford 6 year old has some strong form to note at the start of the season, finishing a good second to long time Albert Bartlett Hurdle ante post favourite, Court in Motion. He most recently finished second again, behind the promising Paul Nicholls horse Rebel Rebellion, and for that reason, he could be of some reasonable value. Although disappointing with two poor runs in between, I think there could be more to offer.
We turn our attention to Doncaster for our final selection, which also happens to be our Nap. In the north, in tough, competitive handicaps; it usually pays to stick with J Howard Johnson horses. The Grimthorpe chase is synonymous for finding staying chases, and there is a stellar field to try and battle out the way of attrition for this renewal. The most imposing and improving horse carries the famous Wylie colours, and that horse is PRESENTING FOREVER. The form from his last run at Cheltenham has worked out fantastic since finishing an unlucky second to Gold Cup hope Midnight Chase. Knockara Beau has since come out and won a handicap carrying top weight, Rare Bob won a Grade 2 handicap, and Neptune Collognes won the Argento chase. Not to mention strong runs from Beat the Boys and Palypso de Creek. Brain Hughes has opted to ride this over others and he should have the measure of a tough field.
Jack Milner
Presenting Forever 3.15 Doncaster 2pts EW NAP
Storm Brig 4.15 Kelso 2pt win
Oscar Papa 4.10 Newbury 1pt win
Freddie Brown 3.10 Kelso 1pt win
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