Racing this week is a mixed bag, with plenty of fibresand, and lots of hurdles, with the winter season really getting into the swing of things. The upcoming Hennessy meeting will look to capitalise on the buzz that National Hunt racing is currently experiencing on the back of Kauto Star’s tremendous victory in the Betfair Chase at Haydock Saturday.
Racing on Wednesday comes in the form of Wetherby, Fontwell and a decent looking card at Lingfield, with good prize money on offer at the latter. There is also a twilight card at Kempton for people looking to recoup their afternoon losses.
Alan King is a trainer enjoying a better year than last and he has VOLCAN SURPRISE in the 2.35 at Wetherby, a juvenile maiden hurdle. Another to be brought over from the Irish point-to-point scene, he ran two credible efforts over there before making a pleasing debut over rules at Sandown, finishing second to a promising Brendan Powell horse. The only two runners to have come out and run since have both finished second and, with a fairly weak looking field, and only a couple of serious dangers in Luggers Hall and School For Scandal, he should have a terrific chance.
PORGY is a horse that shaped with a great deal of promise on its hurdling beau last month at Warwick and the former Marvan Koukash horse can build on that when running in the 12.55, a novices hurdle for four year olds and up. This well bred son of Dansili seemed to lose his way on the flat. He never seemed to get ahead of the handicapper and, given his pedigree and the promise of his debut over obstacles, he should have enough speed and scope to get the job done.
JINXY MINX is a tentative selection in the 1.55 at Fontwell, but he could be a dark horse who is severely overpriced. He was pulled up on his seasonal reappearance last month at the track, never going on the heavy ground. He could be lightly treated and with young claimer Joshua Moore good value for the 5lb he could run a strong race for Sue Smith’s yard – a stable that are currently in good heart.
WOOP WOOP is a horse who enjoyed a good few years with Steff Liddard, and has looked as if she’s on the road back to his best since being claimed by trainer Ian Williams, who makes a habit of rejuvenating fillies. The Oratorio three year old shaped with promise on her first run for her new trainer before winning cosily over course and distance two weeks ago under a good ride from Ryan Powell. She runs in the 2.45 at Lingfield with a 3lb increase but looks good value for the rise in the weights and could improve again.
Another horse who seems to have found his form again is HANOVARIAN BARON, who returned from a 176 day absence to run a blinder in the November Handicap, finishing fourth behind Zuider Zee. The only blip on the six year old’s copybook in the last couple of years was when he finished last in the Mallard Cup at Doncaster, stepping up in trip on that occasion. The run last month would have put him cherry ripe for the race today, and even more so considering he is 2/2 when bouncing back the race after a 50 day absence.
12.55 Fontwell Porgy
1.55 Fontwell Jinxy Minx (Ew)
2.35 Wetherby Volcan Surprise (Nb)
2.45 Lingfield Woop Woop
3.15 Lingfield Hanovarian Baron (Nap)
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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