Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury

Saturday at Newbury will see an extremely competitive 2012 renewal of The Hennessy, as well as the enigmatic return of the record breaking Big Bucks, who will win the Long Distance Hurdle at prohibitively short odds. Aside from that, the card is rounded off with some very interesting handicaps, most notably the 13.25 – a two and three quarter mile handicap chase, and the 14.35 – a two mile three furlong handicap hurdle.


Starting with the sixteen runner handicap chase, with some decent novices turning out, and plenty of unexposed types. Rolling Aces, Godsmejudge and Seven Woods all will be popular in the betting due to their generally attractive profile and running for ‘sexy’ connections, but they will be likely to go off too short for my liking as such. That takes out the Henderson, Nicholls and King runners. Patsy Finnegan looks Alan King’s second string, and I wouldn’t be able to have, and with the Tizzard, Twiston-Davies and O’ Neill stables not in their best form, I wouldn’t be looking at Merry King, Handy Andy or Listen Boy.


Gores Island and Amirico are likely to be outsiders who will be lacking a bit of fitness, whereas as last time out winners Benheir and Master Neo will be pretty sharp, but accordingly will be poorly handicapped due to their recent wins and revised marks. Ballypatrick would be interesting with most Henrietta Knight runners improving since switching to Mick Channon, although the run last time was uninspiring at Ascot. Benny’s Mist goes for the in-form Venetia Williams stable, but the drying out ground would be against him, although he is respected. Sir Kezbah still looks saddled with an unworkable mark, and although now only 5lb higher than his last winning mark, isn’t for me.


The race revolves around two horses for in form stables, the first being GLOBAL POWER for Oliver Sherwood and Leighton Aspell, and SHERWANI WOLF for Charlie Longsdon and Noel Fehily. Global Power was mightily impressive last time out, winning a nice beginners chase at Fontwell over two and a half miles, and although a bit of a monkey at times, he could well back it up. On his day he was a very good hurdler, and the step up in trip combined with the switch to chasing, should continue the horse’s upward curve. Sherwani Wolf has another likable profile, never really involved and desperately needing the run last time out. The stable is now in better form, and the step up in trip should suit, with cheekpieces being applied first time.


The handicap hurdle looks slightly more straightforward, and instead of working out what hopefully can’t win, let’s work on those that can. At Fishers Cross looks badly handicapped for winning easy novice hurdles, and the likes of Salubrious and Ardlui have similar profiles. The two I like here at hopefully decent prices are SCOTS GAELIC and KINGCORA. Venetia Williams is having a good season with horse’s first time out, and although off a mark of 136, the four year old has some very strong form in France, and will be fit and ready for the season ahead. Her horses are generally under-priced compared to more fashionable connections. Same with Scots Gaelic for Tim Vaughan, who had a nice winner on Friday, and was a solid dual purpose horse in Ireland. He was last seen chasing home Foildubh, who has since run solid races behind Flemenstar and Hidden Cyclone next time out, and he should be a price.


THE PACKAGE has been my long term fancy for The Hennessy since the initial declarations were announced, and his win last time out at Wincanton was a double edged sword for me, as it meant he would be a worse price and weight. Up 8lb seem fair, and I am still adamant he is better than his mark, with his form over three mile handicap chases being incredibly strong. The yard have been unlucky with this precocious beast, but with the trainers record in this and Timmy Murphy doing the steering, he is well worth the price, and I can not see him being outside the first four home. Fruity O’ Rooney looks another nicely handicapped down at the bottom of the weights, and has the type of unexposed profile that suits. He had a nice tune up around Cheltenham over hurdles to protect his mark, and the trip and ground should be perfect for him, he looks a cracking each way punt.


The final race of the three day Hennessy meeting is a fifteen runner handicap chase over the extended two miles, and looks another fascinating contest. Michael Flips, Consigliere, Oh Crick and Takeroc are all the class horse that are trickling down the handicap, but they may be vulnerable to the more unexposed and progressive types, although it would be no surprise to see any of them bounce back. Younger horses seem to struggle in these types of competitive affairs, and I would look past On Trend, Tatispout and Ulck Du Lin as a result. Patrick Corbett is proving to be a very useful claimer, and his 10lb can rectify his hike in the weights on GUS MACRAE. A winner of good handicap chases at Aintree and Ascot, and although up 14lb for the two runs, he is improving nicely, and the eight year old can seal the hatrick in the finale.


13.25 Newbury – Selection: Global Power, Alternative: Sherwani Wolf
14.35 Newbury – Selection: Scots Gaelic, Alternative: Kingcora
15.10 Newbury – Selection: The Package, Alternative: Fruity O’ Rooney
15.40 Newbury – Selection: Gus Macrae (Nap)


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Saturday's Racing at Ascot and Haydock

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.

Proper racing tomorrow, competitive action, some big fields, and more importantly; national hunt racing that is tougher than a steak cooked by Milner senior. Seriously good; tuck in.


I’ll keep Ascot brief, as it looks like “The Nicky Henderson Memorial afternoon”, with two of his heavy artillery already deployed so relatively early in the season, and are both multiple Grade 1 winners dropping down in class. Oscar Whiskey runs over the trip he loves, two and a half miles. Unfortunately, there are few of these races at the top level, bar Aintree, so he has to make do running against lesser rivals. That being said, he is still massive at around the even money mark, and should have beaten eventual Champion Hurdle second Overturn here last year bar a mishap at the last. Banker.


Finians Rainbow is a horse I have stayed loyal to ever since seeing him win a novice chase in the winter of 2010. I did my money on him in The Arkle in 2011 when won by Captain Chris (I still have no idea how he lost the race, go back and watch the replay), however I have remained loyal, and backed him ante post for The Champion Chase at 9/1, 8/1, 7/1 and 11/2. Suffices to say, the lad paid me back in spades. Here is your turn to chip in too, when he runs in The Amlin Chase, historically won by previous Champion Chase winners, hello Master Minded! He showed he relished a long trip when winning over two and a half miles at Aintree, and given his eventual aim for the first half of the season being The King George, I can see him winning this en route to further glory over there. Super banker.


Crossing over to the infamous Lancashire surroundings of Haydock Park, where the feature is the Betfair Chase, won an incredible four times by the steeplechaser of a lifetime; Kauto Star. He will be parading, and with him not running, and only five runners taking on the short priced favourite Long Run, it isn’t really something to get excited about, and not one I fancy having a punt in. The value look to lay in the handicaps and the first one of those is where CROWNING JEWEL goes for Keith and James Reveley. He looks the least exposed and ironically the best handicapped challenger as opposed to those from ‘sexier’ stables. However he finished a good third last time out go Cheltenham winner Ifandbutwhynot, what looks like a good race on paper, and a form line through that looks rather strong.

QUARTZ DE THAIX travelled so strongly last time out for the in form Venetia Williams stable, and I can’t see any reason why the eight year old can’t follow up next time out in the 2.00. Although up 9lb, watching the race live, I was seriously impressed with the ease of the victory, an eventual seven lengths win, and although the hike in the weights, he should be fresher and fitter for the outing.

I was tempted to get stuck into SIVOLA DE SIVOLA in the week, when double his current price, but the continued support, as well as stable form, has even further enhanced his chances in the big handicap over the infamous fixed brush hurdles. He finished a good fourth last time out in a competitive handicap hurdle when well backed on the day, and considering the third has since come out and run well, with Viking Blond performing with aplomb in the big handicap chase last Saturday.

The David Pipe team are coming off the back of a tremendous time of things, with three winners and two seconds at The Paddy Power meeting, and he can continue the trend with MASTER OVERSEER. He was a winner of the Midlands Grand National under a great ride from Tom Scudamore, in the manner of a very progressive animal. He has form on soft and also heavy going, and will take a lot of beating in the gruelling contest given he stays longer than the proverbial mother in law.


Ascot – Finians Rainbow (2.10) & Oscar Whisky (2.45) – Nap Double

Haydock 12.55 – Crowning Jewel
Haydock 14.00 – Quartz De Thaix
Haydock 14.30 – Sivola De Sivola
Haydock 15.40 – Master Overseer

Bet advised - Each Way Lucky 15


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Cheltenham Open Meeting - Sunday: Day 3

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.

CAPTAIN CONAN is a horse I have had on my radar for a very long time. He was ear-marked for a crack at The 2013 Arkle as soon as he was purchased from France, and his novice hurdle career was merely getting him ready for fences. Anything he did last year was a bonus, so being able to beat Colour Squadron in The Tolworth Hurdle, and perhaps even better when chasing home Darlan at Aintree, was a massive credit to the scopey five year old. He looks an absolute beast, and the fact he is thrown into a Grade 2 on his chasing debut speaks volumes about the confidence the stable have in him. The ground may be against him, but he should possess enough class to get through it.


MALLER TREE immediately stands out as interesting entry, being a horse sent over by Jessica Harrington after an impressive seven lengths win at Naas. He beat a very good horse of Noel Meade’s in Texas Jack, who has since won a novice chase, with the third also running well since, and the form looks strong. Maller Tree should come on for his last run, and with the softening ground in his favour, his chances will only heighten with the expected weather and good form on heavy ground. Barry Geraghty rides and gave the horse a favourable write up on his At the Races blog.


Sprinter Sacre misses the Shloer Chase, which is a massive disappointment, because just seeing him glide over fences is an absolute treat in itself, but the fact he isn’t running means that it actually becomes a punting proposition. Wishfull Thinking gets 4lb from Doeslessthanme, and it looks something of a match, with the others being proverbial no hopers. Wishfull Thinking chased home For Non Stop at Aintree in the softening ground, and will be fit and sharp for this renewal and is of interest. However the more likely winner is Paul Nicholls’s progressive chaser DOESLESSTHANME in the famous colours of Graham Wyllie. He has form on soft, and is going in the right direction, something that can not be said of his counterpart here.


The newly renamed Racing Post Hurdle, formerly the Greatwood Hurdle looks set to be a gruelling renewal on the soddened ground, and you will have to stay further than the two miles suggest, them going hell for leather from the start. Vendor has a chance but his run at Aintree on similar conditions was surely too bad to be true. Darlan is obviously a big fancy, but there are strong rumours that he is set to be a non-runner, and I don’t like backing short priced favourite s in big handicaps. Olofi ran well in this last year, but looks exposed off a 6lb higher mark, and so the two I like are CAUSE OF CAUSES and BOTHY. Starting with Bothy; he ran a good second in soft ground at Wetherby last time out on his seasonable beau, and although a 5lb rise, he will be fitter and sharper for the run. He has an excellent record around Cheltenham, second here last year, and second in a Coral Cup, he looks to be a very big price. Similarly Cause of Causes has some very good form on soft ground, winning a good race at Fairyhouse last time out, and is 4lb well in at the weights.


The Hyde Novices' Hurdle over the extended two and a half miles is an excellent good renewal, headed by Fox Run for Paul Nicholls who hacked up in a decent maiden hurdle at Worcester, hacking up by fourteen lengths. I Shot The Sheriff, According To Trev and Bondage all run for respected connections but I was really take by the way VILLAGE VIC ran last time out at Cheltenham over course and distance, when chasing home Neptune ante post favourite The New One, just being outclassed in the latter stages. That was his first run of the season, and his first run over hurdles, and he should come on for that run in spades. He should have a lot more improvement to come further, and has a big career ahead of him; and eventually no doubt over fences.


The bumper looks to be another strong showing, with plenty of unexposed sorts, it really is so nice to have some quality national hunt racing back. It would be folly to have an overly strong opinion, with so many unexposed sorts, however THE LIQUIDATOR ran a good second in the Champion Bumper at Fairyhouse, and after being snapped up by David Pipe, will no doubt be primed to further enhance his excellent record at the meeting under Tom Scudamore. He looks to have the most obvious chance on paper, however if the market speaks, it would be wise to listen.


1.10 Cheltenham – Captain Conan (Nap)
1.45 Cheltenham – Maller Tree
2.20 Cheltenham – Doeslessthanme
2.50 Cheltenham – Bothy (Ew) & Cause of Causes (Ew)
3.25 Cheltenham – Village Vic
4.00 Cheltenham – The Liquidator


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Cheltenham Open Meeting - Saturday: Day Two

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.

ROC D’APSIS run in the juvenile hurdle, already with a massive reputation en tow after winning two from two in France. Tom George did an interview shortly after acquiring him in August and stated just how excited he was to have him in his stable. He has apparently been working like a dream at home, and hopefully he goes unnoticed with the big guns in the line-up. Nicky Henderson runs Vasco Du Ronceray and Paul Nicholls has Far West, and those two are most likely to fight out the position as market leader.


If you watch how MASTERS HILL took to novice chasing at Chepstow, you would fail to be impressed how he responded to Joe Tizzard in a good looking contest at Chepstow, even the most cynical of punters would have to admit that this boy can jump a fence. He barely touched a twig, and came away still full of running to win by six lengths. Sire Collognes is going to be a very, very short priced favourite, and is respected after winning over course and distance last month, but hopefully Masters Hill for the in form Tizzard yard can cause something of an upset.


The three and a half mile handicap chase is a tremendously competitive affair, with seventeen runners confirmed, including last year’s National Hunt Chase winner Teaforthree and last year’s Hennessy winner Carruthers. The most interesting runner however is the Bet365 Gold Cup winner from last year in POKER DE SIVOLA for Ferdy Murphy and Robert Thornton. The nine year old looks well handicapped on that form, and had his first run of the season when fifth at Newcastle last month, which was his first run for 552 days. He should be sharper for that, and his record around Cheltenham is exemplary, he could be a very decent price indeed.


I have done an extended preview for The Paddy Power Gold Cup, which can be found in all the usual places, I’m sure you know where to find it, so I shall just include the synopsis.

Grands Crus obviously sets a significantly strong standard, but given the supposed ‘good things’ of Long Run and Mon Parrain in consecutive years, I seem him placing but not having everything go in his favour. The stable form of Alan King, and his praise of WALKON makes him looks a very good price at around the 8/1 mark and running off a mark of 143, when top rated on Racing Post Ratings means he strikes as having a very attractive price. He won first time out last season beating good horse Zaynar and Notus De La Tour in a hot novice chase over the same trip, and also has winning course form to his name. I expect him to edge out Grands Crus in the finish, with Divers guided into third under Timmy Murphy and Calgary Bay staying on for fourth en route to The Hennessy.


CROSS KENNON won the three mile handicap hurdle two years ago off a mark of 130, and could be worth another chance after flopping since being asked to tackle the larger obstacles. He was on the crest of a wave when winning this, going on to finish a good fifth to Big Bucks, only beaten by five lengths. He has taken time to come back since an unsuccessful stint novice chasing, and although disappointing last time out, has been dropped 7lb by the handicapper, and will be fitter for the run. He will be a significant deal fitter, and has a great record around the track, being only one of three course and distance winners.


The ‘lucky last’ as Tommo would have you refer it as is another trappy handicap, but there lay the winner, without too much delving and that looks to be TANERKO EMERY for the all ruling David Pipe team. Tom Scudamore rides, and he was very impressive when winning a Stratford maiden hurdle with limited fuss last month. That was his first run since moving from the Tim Vaughan yard, and he is entitled to continue his improvement, and from a mark of 112, it would be far from surprising, not to mention both David and Martin Pipe’s record in the race.


12.45 Roc D'apsis
1.20 Masters Hill
1.55 Poker De Sivola
2.35 Walkon
3.05 Cross Kennon
3.40 Tanerko Emery (Nap)


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Cheltenham Open Meeting - Friday: Day One

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.
The Cheltenham Open Meeting kicks off with some of the hottest novice chasers currently in the game. Won last year by Grands Crus, and previously by ‘The Tank’ Denman, this race is unusually a good pointer towards the RSA Chase four months later at the festival in March. Two of last season’s top hurdlers were DYNASTE and FINGAL BAY, and they will lock horns here for the Pipe and Hobbs stables respectively. Carlito Brigante, Unioniste and Thehillosuisneach make up the numbers, but it seriously looks a two horse race. Dynaste has supposedly been pleasing connections really well since schooling began back home, and rated 161 over hurdles, he gave Big Bucks a scare, albeit a very quick and swiftly despatched one. Fingal Bay gives him 5lb, and although rated lower over hurdles, he looks like he was always going to be a chaser, and is a very physically imposing colt. He won his novice chase in good style, and although not overly impressive, that is just his style of running. I expect him to win this, en route to tackling The Feltham Chase at Kempton.


The two mile handicap chase is a one that Nicky Henderson has a tremendous record in, and it is no surprise to see him with a strong chance here once again with Tanks For That under Barry Geraghty. Kid Cassidy goes under AP McCoy and is a warm favourite for the champ. Oh Crick finished seventh in this race last year off a 3lb lower mark, and the likes of Free World, Takeroc and Salute Him would have to be passed due to terrible recent form, albeit with lowering handicap marks. Consigliere is of interest for the Pipe team, with the teams heralded record in handicaps around Prestbury Park, obviously warrants respect. The one who strikes most appeal is SILVER ROQUE for the rejuvenated Fergal O’ Brien yard, with Paddy Brennan on board. Up 2lb for finishing second to a next time out winner in the form of Gus Macrae, and looks to still is a well handicapped horse.


The Grade 2 novices hurdle looks a cracker, where Dodging Bullets is an extremely warm favourite after hacking up over course and distance last month. He was far from disgraced when finishing fourth in The Triumph hurdle, before the finishing sixth at Aintree and does look potentially very good, but not for me. Nor is Tominator, with the stable form being questionable, barring a double on Wednesday. RIVER MAIGUE was a horse I followed keenly last season, winning his second of two bumpers after being snapped up after a good point to point win. He won his bumper in impressive fashion and could be the dark horse in the field. Court Minstrel is also respected, but giving weight away to the field, could be vulnerable.


The rest of the three races look a very tricky punting proposition, with the cross country, an apprentice handicap and an amateur riders race rounding off the card. The one from the three that strikes most appeal looks to be TITAN DE SARTI, who looks to be way better than a mark of 123 suggest. Jeremiah McGrath is possibly the best apprentice in the field, and with the money already coming in, he could be a good thing. He finished third in a good maiden hurdle behind Court Minstrel and The Romford Pele, and the second won in a very facile manner yesterday. The rest of the form is very, very strong.


1.15 Cheltenham – Fingal Bay (Nap)
1.50 Cheltenham – Silver Roque
2.25 Cheltenham – River Maigue
3.35 Cheltenham – Titan De Sarti (Nb)


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Paddy Power Gold Cup

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.
The Paddy Power Gold Cup is iconic in stature as the real start to the jumps season, with Cheltenham’s Open Meeting being three days of pure unadulterated joy. It may sound a little extreme, but having to sit through claimers at Catterick, sellers at Salisbury and minefield lady riders handicaps at Pontefract makes sitting through the best racing in the world oh so that much more satisfying. I had better move on before this preview turns into an erotic thriller. Fifty Shades of Hay? Moving on.


The Paddy Power is a race that has been synonymous with the name Pipe. It has nothing to do with the handheld smoking variety, but the lineage of a genius trainer Martin and his son David, who finally won this race since taking the reins from his old man with Great Endeavour. He did so for the owner and jockey that powered Martin Pipe to his oh so many championships, the famous blue and green silks of David Johnson under Timmy Murphy. They also won with Celestial Gold and Our Vic, two of Martin’s eight wins, and that makes the ante post favourite Grands Crus that much more of a standout. Trained by David Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore he won The Feltham Chase in a time quicker than The King George beating subsequent RSA Chase and Charlie Hall Chase winners Bobs Worth and Siliviano Conti. Off a mark of 157 he will prove very difficult to beat.


The main rivals are from a host of top profile trainers, none more so than Al Ferof of Paul Nicholls who comes with a massive reputation. He is one of the many progeny of Dom Alco, as is Neptune Collognes and Grands Crus, and is entitled to thrive stepped up in trip, yet to run beyond two miles. He will be seen as eventually a Gold Cup horse, and if he is to eventually step up to such lofty heights, he would want to give a good account here off a mark of 159. Aerial isn’t held in anywhere near the same regard, and at just 4lb lower, doesn’t strike much appeal for the same stable. Tanks for That has a good record around the track, and won first time out last year, but looks down the pecking order of Nicky Henderson, with decent money coming for Nadiya De La Vega and Triolo D’Alene in the last couple of weeks, although neither offer too much appeal but are obviously respected, trainers don’t come any shrewder. Who said Barney Curley…


Hunt Ball was the fairytale story of last year, going up 89lbs to win a listed chase at the festival, and finish third in an Aintree Grade 1, but this isn’t a Disney film, and all fairytales have to end somewhere. Despite the bellowing of owner Anthony Knott, the mark of 157 seems very tough, and I expect the bubble to severely burst.

Those at the top of the weights look to have it all to do and are plenty exposed, with Poquelin being a course and distance specialist, but carrying 11-12 is a very tough ask. Wishfull Thinking was well fancied for this last year, but folded tamely late on, and the trip may be as far as he wants to go, not to mention his questionable jumping. Similar trip worries would take out the likes of Forpaddydeplasterer who is a two miler and proven stayers such as Quantitativeeasing, Fingeronthepulse, Questions Answered, Casey Top and The Disengager all look to want further and a race such as this may catch them out for pace. The only one that could appreciate the drop back down in trip is Calgary Bay having his first run for Mick Channon since taking over from Henrietta Knight, and has had two first time out winners already for the yard.

Gilbarry and Jamsie Hall look to have a job on down the bottom of the weights, exposed against classier types and have it all to do, as does Kingsmere, who is yet to run outside of novice company for Henry Daly. Divers and Walk On are two who will be perfectly tuned up with Walk On in particular being a lot of interest. He goes well fresh, and is likely to love the ground, trip and racing style; trainer Alan King is particularly sweet on him. The same can be said about Divers for Ferdy Murphy, who finished a solid third here in the race last year off a 6lb lower mark. Timmy Murphy is a significant jockey booking, and had a tune up here at the meeting last month and is following his preparation for the race last year. Michael Flips completes the line-up, and is one who will appreciate conditions, but the stable form of Andy Turnell would be something of a worry.


So there we have it, all twenty two runners, and now stick my trusty pin in. Grands Crus obviously sets a significantly strong standard, but given the supposed ‘good things’ of Long Run and Mon Parrain in consecutive years, I seem him placing but not having everything go in his favour. The stable form of Alan King, and his praise of WALKON makes him looks a very good price at around the 8/1 mark and running off a mark of 143, when top rated on Racing Post Ratings means he strikes as having a very attractive price. He won first time out last season beating good horse Zaynar and Notus De La Tour in a hot novice chase over the same trip, and also has winning course form to his name. I expect him to edge out Grands Crus in the finish, with Divers guided into third under Timmy Murphy and Calgary Bay staying on for fourth en route to The Hennessy.


1. Walkon
2. Grands Crus
3. Divers
4. Calgary Bay


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports

Saturday Racing at Ascot and Wetherby

Powered & Produced by:
BetVictor.com
Open a new account and bet £25 to get a free £25 bet.

Looking at the cards for Saturday the message is clear – the jumps are back. We have a terrific spread of cards at Uttoxeter, Ayr, Ascot and a strong renewal of The Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. There may be some two year olds running around a dirt covered oval across the pond, but let’s be honest, the people there would much rather be in wet West Yorkshire seeing some excellent three mile chasers duel out a tough and uncompromising finish!

The Charlie Hall Chase is usually a precursor to bigger races throughout the season, whether it is The Hennessy, The Betfair Chase, The King George, or indeed, the Gold Cup. That notwithstanding, it is still a terrific race, with some tremendous prize money on offer, the Grade 2 contest having £100,000 in the kitty for the six participants, and they will all cover the expenses.

The outsider of the field is Wayward Prince who looks to have it all do to, despite receiving weight all round from the field, and was once a promising novice chaser, with good efforts in the Cheltenham and Aintree’s three mile novice chases. He went off well fancied for The Hennessy last year, but badly disappointed and tailed off towards the end of the season. He has form when fresh, but would be more of a watching brief. A similar story applies to Planet of Sound, who ran a good second on his seasonal appearance last year in The Hennessy, and then third in a Kempton Grade 3 before completing the Grand National in twelfth place. He looks to be a plodder however, and may be caught wanting in a classy race like this, with his long term aims towards the English and Scottish National’s. Midnight Chase is a devout Cheltenham specialist, whose form away from Prestbury Park is often found wanting. His form away from the hallowed grounds in the last two seasons reads F3 – whereas at Cheltenham 111517 – although top rated, he doesn’t appeal to me. Time for Rupert is an interesting runner for the Paul Webber team, and was a good second here last season. Beaten thirteen lengths behind Midnight Chase last season before travelling well in The Gold Cup before tiring late on, his run suggested that the return to three miles would suit. He goes well fresh, and if the market vibes were supportive, he would be more appealing than the favourite Silviano Conti at the prices. He will no doubt go off shorter than he should due to the Walsh/Nicholls Saturday punters tucking into their multiples. His second in The Feltham is the stand out piece of form. But his fourth in the Reynoldstown was highly disappointing. The Aintree novice chase was a nothing event, with Champion Court tiring from his race at Cheltenham, and the rest of the field being simply not good enough. That leaves MASTER OF THE HALL as the most interesting runner for Nicky Henderson and Andrew Tinkler and looks severely overpriced for my money. I was really impressed by his win at Kelso last March, when albeit beating horses with others targets in mind, but won well, coming away at the finish. He then finished sixth at Aintree, but behind all very good horses, Hunt Ball, Burton Port, Nacarat, Medermit and winner Follow The Plan. He goes well fresh, from an outstanding stable, and at around the 9/1 mark, he looks distinctly overpriced, if Barry Geraghty was on board he would be no doubt half the price. At the prices, it could be worth a saver on the reverse forecast with Silviano Conti, he could be anything, and Paul Nicholls thinks he could be a King George horse, but then again, you rarely see him talk down one of his horses, do you?


The John Smith’s hurdle race is just as puzzling, and last year’s winner Restless Harry turns out again, although considering his record on good ground, you would assume he would have it all to do under a penalty. Unless however it really threw it down, which being a native of West Yorkshire, I wouldn’t rule out. He comfortably despatched Fair Along last season, and I can see the pair of then being vulnerable to younger rivals. As is Tidal Bay, who looks to have The Grand National and other valuable staying chases as his target, and as such, this will be most likely a tune up for the eleven year old. Crack Away Jack was highly flattered by finishing second to Big Bucks at Aintree last year, when Restless Harry and Smad Place both came down, leaving the race a pretty much no contest, if it was a boxing match, it would have been a round two knockout for Paul Nicholls’s phenomenal hurdler. Smad Place did go off a well backed second favourite though that day and it is interesting that he is still hurdling, when he looks built to go chasing. The yard is going well, but I have in the back of my mind the idea that this will be used to tee his season up, with the ultimate aim being The RSA Chase at Cheltenham. A horse who has had a prep to get him cherry ripe for this is CAPE TRIBULATION who loyal followers will have seen me tip up on both his victories at Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last year, in what was a tremendous training performance from Malcolm Jefferson. He was out battled in an outstanding finish at York three weeks ago over two miles, and on better ground and over three miles, he will take all the beating with Denis O’ Regan back in the plate.


Switching tracks to Ascot, there are a couple of interesting runners that catch the eye, most notably MY TENT OR YOURS in the novice hurdle at 2.00. I backed him in all three bumper runs last season, and the form of his second in the Aintree champion bumper is already working out well with The New One winning a good novice hurdle at Cheltenham two weeks ago. He will appreciate the drop back to two miles, and will have perfect ground to suit. He could eventually shape up to be a horse that has the class for something along the lines of The Supreme Novices Hurdle; he looks to be a Nicky Henderson prototype.


As said previously, the Alan King stable have started off really well this season, and it would be no surprise to see RAYA STAR run a big race in the two mile listed handicap hurdle, with Wayne Hutchinson in the saddle. He had a blinding season, running well behind Rock on Ruby at Newbury, winning the Ladbroke Hurdle, and sealing off his campaign winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle, Scottish National day at Ayr. He goes well fresh, looks well handicapped, has a progressive profile and is likely to be a price due to the fancied runners of Ile De Re and Cape Express.


Ascot 2.00 – My Tent or Yours (Nb)
Ascot 2.35 – Raya Star
Wetherby 2.50 – Cape Tribulation (Nap)
Wetherby 3.25 – Master of the Hall


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner

Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports