This afternoon’s turf card at Catterick must pass an 8am inspection with the prospect of NH racing during the week looking bleak to put it mildly. Tomorrow’s card at Lingfield has already been abandoned and the North Yorkshire track could similarly fall victim to the elements with the ground currently described as heavy, in what should turn the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle an almighty slog.
Dan Skelton’s Yes I Did runs under a double penalty having bolted-up last week at Sedgefield and, whilst she is respected seeking a third hurdles success, preference likes instead with John Quinn’s Kilas Girl (2.10) under Richard Johnson. The selection hasn’t been sighted since finishing second in a pair of novices’ hurdles last spring but is bred to appreciate the step up in trip and can shed the maiden tag at the fourth attempt over timber.
Johnson can double-up aboard Another Hero (4.10) in the feature 3m Handicap Chase over. Jonjo O’Neill’s well-bred 7-y-o remains unexposed over fences and couldn’t have been more impressive when returning from a short break to make it 2/2 over fences under Johnson last time out at Ludlow. The handicapper has raised him 5lb for that performance but the way he travelled through the race suggests there was plenty left in the tank and he can complete the hat-trick en-route to a tilt at next month’s Cheltenham Festival; where he is a 25/1 chance with BetVictor for both the 3m Handicap Chase and the Kim Muir.
The Donald McCain yard look likely to be quiet during this year’s festival but Askamore Darsi (3.10) could well prove a horse for Aintree and could book his ticket to the 2016 Grand National meeting with success in this afternoon’s Novices’ Handicap Chase. The selection has been a revelation since making a winning reappearance at Market-Rasen in December, following-up in similar contests thereafter at Doncaster and Sedgefield on his preferred soft ground. The selection has been raised just 6lb for those three wins and can claim a fourth under regular partner Henry Brooke.
The ground will similarly be soft at Plumpton with the ground officially described as ‘heavy’ and David Pipe’s Bella (2.00) a confident selection to relish conditions in the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The 5-y-o made a winning reappearance in similar conditions at Ludlow when springing a 25/1 upset under Tom Scudamore and can follow-up back in easier competition under 5lb conditional David Noonan.
Just three go to post for the Novices’ Handicap Chase over the minimum trip with Gary Moore’s G1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase winner Ar Mad (2.30) fancied to give 19lb and a beating to his two rivals under regular partner Joshua Moore. The selection followed-up his impassive Sandown success with the defeat of Vaniteux at Kempton over Christmas and looks one of the most exciting 2m Novice Chaser in the country. The son of Tiger Groom is 10/1 with BetVictor for the Arkle Chase on the opening day of the festival and 11/4 to fare best of the rest in the betting without 4/9 favourite Douvan.
The Moores can double-up with Generous Helpings (3.30) in the Novice’s Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, with the 8-y-o surely due a change of luck after unseating his rider on both starts since returning from an absence of over 18 months at Lingfield in December. He was entitled to strip fitter for that return and was in the process of running a huge race when stepped up in trip last month at Doncaster, prior to Joshua Moore ending the partnership with the gelding three out. The handicapper has dropped him 6lb for those two efforts but he looks potentially chucked-in providing he stays the marathon trip and doesn’t fall victim to Plumpton’s challenging obstacles.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com
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