Sire De Grugy heads a field of 11 for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature on Wednesday, Day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The 8-y-o is bidding to put the seal on a magnificent season after wins at Chepstow, Sandown, Kempton and Ascot.
Success in the BetVictor Tingle Creek at Sandown gave the trainer Gary and jockey Jamie their first win at G1 level. That haul was soonly doubled with a rout in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, picking off the prominent Hidden Cyclone on the turn, and the rest was history.
The race that lives long in the memory of this writer however is his run at Cheltenham in November, when second behind Kid Cassidy in the Schloer Chase.
His jumping severely let him down that day and he looked to struggle with the infamous undulations of the Cheltenham camber. That combined with his best form coming at right-handed tracks on soft ground makes the favourite vulnerable on good, spring ground at this year’s festival.
Kid Cassidy re-opposes once more, having his first run since disappointing in Ireland behind the Ryanair bound pair of Benefficient and Hidden Cyclone. Arvika Ligeonniere was 4th that day and is another who looks unsuited by the up-and-down nature of the track, jumping markedly out to his right in last year’s Arkle and his race will likely be Punchestown’s Champion Chase; a track where Willie Mullins’ charge is unbeaten in four starts to date.
Sizing Europe chased home Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham and Punchestown and at 12-y-o it would be a monumental feat to feature in the frame and old father time could yet be a player at double figure prices; two wins and two seconds at the festival over timber.
Wishfull Thinking turned over the well backed pair of Double Ross and Tap Night in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham in January and did so under the burden of top weight. Phillip Hobbs’s 11-y-o was 3rd in the race last year and won the Schloer Chase over course and distance 18 months ago - he could be worth a poke at around the 25/1 mark.
Another old boy is Somersby, who gave trainer Mick Channon success in the BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He got the better of a fast-finishing Module but surely neither are good enough to cut the mustard at the top table of two milers?
Sizing Europe is a veteran of five appearances at the Cheltenham Festival, which is in stark contrast to Paul Nicholls’ Hinterland. The 6-y-o steps up out of novice company for the first time after beating a sub-par Grandouet twice at Sandown and had smart form last season chasing home Nicky Henderson’s pair of Captain Conan and Simonsig.
Second season chasers have a cracking record in the race with Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre all tasting glory and those look the ones to focus on, with Captain Conan preferred over the pair of Baily Green and Special Tiara.
Mouse Morris’ Baily Green chased home Simonsig in last year’s Arkle and should be better suited than most on the drying ground, presumably spot on for the race after a spin over hurdles last month at Leopardstown.
Special Tiara has similar credentials having won the G1 Novices’ Chase at Aintree however looked uneasy at Cheltenham when chasing home Sire De Grugy and Kid Cassidy in November and was soundly beaten by the pair that day, with little evidence to support the 7-y-o turning the form around anytime soon.
That almost leaves Captain Conan (3.20) as a winner by default, for connections who have won the last two renewals of the race with Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre respectively.
Captain Conan beat Sire De Grugy on his first run over fences in November 2012 and looked the winner two fences from home in his other start at the track in last year’s Jewson. He tired late in the closing stages however Nicky Henderson’s 7-y-o is finally able to run over the trip that he was always likely to thrive over and is a more than able deputy for the ‘Equine Aeroplane’.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal return behind Sire De Grugy and Somersby in the BetVictor Tingle Creek and he should be even better to bring up a unique hat-trick for the team at Seven Barrows with further success in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.15 Wednesday) – Captain Conan
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Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Monday, 10 March 2014
Cheltenham Festival 2014 - Tuesday; Day One
Irving and Vautour head the betting for the Supreme Novices Hurdle but will punters be roaring a well backed jolly in the festival opener?
History suggests that they will not, and the value is with those at the bigger prices and with those at the head of the market the 'sexier types' that have yet to done the business when seriously asked to battle.
Irving is flat-bred and German-bred and would be a trends buster should Paul Nicholls’ 5-y-o were to get his head in front, but he’s not for me, yet to go left-handed over hurdles and far too short for a horse with all his form on what I would refer to as ‘speed tracks’.
Willie Mullins’ Vautour drifted markedly last week ahead of a reported setback at home, which led to stable-mate Wicklow Brave being well-punted in the aftermath. The fact that Mullins runs three suggests that there is no serious stand-out and all three, including Gigginstown runner Vaiseur Lido, are priced on reputation as opposed to actual form.
Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race, but his runners seem to place, rather than win, and it can be worth overlooking the pair of Jossies Hill and Vaniteux for the over-priced pair of Garde La Victoire (1.30) and The Liquidator (1.30).
The latter was 4th in the Champion Bumper before winning the big one in Ireland and similarly translating that form well over hurdles when winning over the Supreme course and distance in November. He, like Garde La Victoire, were both unsuited by the sharp, tight nature of Kempton and both were similarly tailed off.
The better ground and stiffer track should play to the strengths of both and it is always worth allowing a horse one bad run. We hope anyway!
Champagne Fever (2.05) has won at the last two festivals and can complete the hat-trick and ‘do a Bobs Worth’ by making all to win the Arkle. Ruby Walsh will control things from the front and make fools of them all in behind, to start the plunge on Hurricane Fly.
The Fly is 6/4 with BetVictor to go off favourite and I expect a plunge to go astray with The New One (3.20) taken to lower the colours of the Champ. His record around the track is exemplary, impressing with his turn of foot up the hill to win the Neptune last season and bounce back and beat Zarkander in the International.
With Captain Cee Bee employed as a pacemaker and Jezki likely in his slipstream, providing Sam Twiston-Davies gets the fractions right, I fancy him to out-battle My Tent or Yours in the finish and reverse placings from the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins can swiftly make amends in the Mares Hurdle with Quevega (4.00) bidding for her 6th consecutive race at the festival and it is difficult to see her beat.
The two handicaps and the National Hunt Chase look minefields but that further heightens the value in the races, with late support for Midnight Prayer (4.40) further enhancing his claims for the slowly bubbling Alan King stable.
He won the novices’ chase at Warwick that Godsmejudge won en-route to running well in the race before winning the Scottish National up at Ayr and he is taken at around the 10/1 mark to follow up the trainer’s last win in the race, back in 2008.
In the two handicap chases, Buywise (5.15) looks a cracking each way bet in the novices’ handicap that rounds off the card, for the team of Paul Moloney and Evan Williams. He has been a revelation since switched to handicap chasing and after getting the nod from the trainer on Saturday; that will do for me.
The Festival Handicap is a pin-job and claims can be made for around a dozen of the protagonists however it could be worth chancing on Green Flag (2.40) for Lucinda Russell. He is another who has been much better suited to a stiff three miles and is another potential Scottish National horse. He ran well in defeat behind Annacotty in the Feltham, despite being unsuited by the track and can improve for this stronger emphasis on stamina.
Claims can be made for the trio of Vintage Star, King Massini and Holywell; the latter very well handicapped on his form with Victor Hewgo. His mark over hurdles is 12lb less than his new mark over the larger obstacles and he has undoubtedly been plotted up for a handicap at the festival.
1.30 - The Liquidator & Garde La Victoire
2.05 - Champagne Fever (Nap)
2.40 - Green Flag
3.20 - The New One (Nb)
4.00 - Quevega
4.40 - Midnight Prayer
5.15 - Buywise
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History suggests that they will not, and the value is with those at the bigger prices and with those at the head of the market the 'sexier types' that have yet to done the business when seriously asked to battle.
Irving is flat-bred and German-bred and would be a trends buster should Paul Nicholls’ 5-y-o were to get his head in front, but he’s not for me, yet to go left-handed over hurdles and far too short for a horse with all his form on what I would refer to as ‘speed tracks’.
Willie Mullins’ Vautour drifted markedly last week ahead of a reported setback at home, which led to stable-mate Wicklow Brave being well-punted in the aftermath. The fact that Mullins runs three suggests that there is no serious stand-out and all three, including Gigginstown runner Vaiseur Lido, are priced on reputation as opposed to actual form.
Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race, but his runners seem to place, rather than win, and it can be worth overlooking the pair of Jossies Hill and Vaniteux for the over-priced pair of Garde La Victoire (1.30) and The Liquidator (1.30).
The latter was 4th in the Champion Bumper before winning the big one in Ireland and similarly translating that form well over hurdles when winning over the Supreme course and distance in November. He, like Garde La Victoire, were both unsuited by the sharp, tight nature of Kempton and both were similarly tailed off.
The better ground and stiffer track should play to the strengths of both and it is always worth allowing a horse one bad run. We hope anyway!
Champagne Fever (2.05) has won at the last two festivals and can complete the hat-trick and ‘do a Bobs Worth’ by making all to win the Arkle. Ruby Walsh will control things from the front and make fools of them all in behind, to start the plunge on Hurricane Fly.
The Fly is 6/4 with BetVictor to go off favourite and I expect a plunge to go astray with The New One (3.20) taken to lower the colours of the Champ. His record around the track is exemplary, impressing with his turn of foot up the hill to win the Neptune last season and bounce back and beat Zarkander in the International.
With Captain Cee Bee employed as a pacemaker and Jezki likely in his slipstream, providing Sam Twiston-Davies gets the fractions right, I fancy him to out-battle My Tent or Yours in the finish and reverse placings from the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins can swiftly make amends in the Mares Hurdle with Quevega (4.00) bidding for her 6th consecutive race at the festival and it is difficult to see her beat.
The two handicaps and the National Hunt Chase look minefields but that further heightens the value in the races, with late support for Midnight Prayer (4.40) further enhancing his claims for the slowly bubbling Alan King stable.
He won the novices’ chase at Warwick that Godsmejudge won en-route to running well in the race before winning the Scottish National up at Ayr and he is taken at around the 10/1 mark to follow up the trainer’s last win in the race, back in 2008.
In the two handicap chases, Buywise (5.15) looks a cracking each way bet in the novices’ handicap that rounds off the card, for the team of Paul Moloney and Evan Williams. He has been a revelation since switched to handicap chasing and after getting the nod from the trainer on Saturday; that will do for me.
The Festival Handicap is a pin-job and claims can be made for around a dozen of the protagonists however it could be worth chancing on Green Flag (2.40) for Lucinda Russell. He is another who has been much better suited to a stiff three miles and is another potential Scottish National horse. He ran well in defeat behind Annacotty in the Feltham, despite being unsuited by the track and can improve for this stronger emphasis on stamina.
Claims can be made for the trio of Vintage Star, King Massini and Holywell; the latter very well handicapped on his form with Victor Hewgo. His mark over hurdles is 12lb less than his new mark over the larger obstacles and he has undoubtedly been plotted up for a handicap at the festival.
1.30 - The Liquidator & Garde La Victoire
2.05 - Champagne Fever (Nap)
2.40 - Green Flag
3.20 - The New One (Nb)
4.00 - Quevega
4.40 - Midnight Prayer
5.15 - Buywise
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
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Sunday, 23 February 2014
Monday's Racing at Musselburgh, Plumpton and Wolverhampton
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Paul Nicholls’ Irving was an impressive winner of the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton, a performance that has seen the 5-y-o jump to the head of the betting for the Supreme Novices Hurdle with BetVictor and now the 3/1 joint-favourite with Willie Mullins’ Vautour – Non Runner Free Bet.
The two mile handicap hurdle at Musselburgh looks a perfect opportunity for Philip Kirby’s Pass Munster (3.20) to get his head in front, in terrific heart since returning from a summer break and yet to finish out of the frame in his four subsequent starts.
The course and distance winner upset Nicky Henderson’s Dawalan in a jumpers bumper at Kempton ten days ago, getting up to collar the favourite on the line and win by a nostril. Prior to that the 7-y-o was second in decent handicaps here and at Exeter and he remains well treated, despite a 5lb rise at the weights.
Swingbridge (3.50) is a horse that was always going to make a three mile chaser in time and the stoutly bred son of Milan is fancied now stepped up over the larger obstacles after improving with every run over hurdles last season.
He remains with plenty of potential and looks open to plenty of further improvement, especially now handicap chasing from a mark of 106 and could well prove an ‘Aintree horse’ yet for owner Trevor Hemmings.
Donald McCain’s string are in less than stellar order at the minute, just two winners from the stables’ last 34 runners and as such his Katachenko is swerved in the opener for John Ferguson’s Shubaat (1.50).
The 7-y-o was classy on the flat for Michael Jarvis and was having his first run for 18 months when pulled up on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon. He will be better suited to Musselburgh with his best form going right-handed and was a game winner at the track on the flat. He is taken to break his hurdling duck at the second attempt.
Plumpton sees Baby Shine and She Ranks Me in a match for the two and a half miles Mares’ Novices’ Chase with preference for Lucy Wadham’s 8-y-o despite conceding 12lb to Donald McCain’s mare.
Baby Shine (2.35) was far from disgraced when tiring late on in the Reynoldstown behind O’Faolins Boy, Many Clouds et al but prior to that impressed when spanking Definite Memories and Miss Milbourne in a similar contest at Newbury.
Lawney Hills’ string have been in good order this term and the trainer had a welcome winner at Kempton last week, which should bode well for Torran Sound (4.10) in the extended three miles handicap hurdle.
He made a pleasing enough return last time out at Fakenham to suggest there was plenty left to work with, travelling well before folding tamely on his first start after an absence of over 100 days.
Jamie Spencer is a jockey enjoying plenty of success and he can return English Summer (4.00) to winning ways at Wolverhampton.
Spencer has teamed up with the 7-y-o twice and has yielded a first and a second and the previous course and distance scorer can take advantage of a tumbling mark in the mile and a half handicap.
Tom Queally will be seeking to make amends on Coillte Cailin (5.30) after giving the 4-y-o a less than stellar ride in a Wolverhampton maiden last week.
He returns over course and distance seeking to shed the maiden tag at the 6th attempt and should make amends although Mark Johnston’s Mount Glenn is respected, having just his third start and running well here last time out.
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Weekend Racing Preview of Cheltenham, Doncaster and Navan
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Cheltenham returns with two days of terrific action with The New One (3.00) putting his Champion Hurdle credentials on the line in Saturday’s International Hurdle (G2). Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Neptune Hurdle winner was impressive on return, spanking last year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up Rock on Ruby by ten lengths at Kempton and looking an out-and-out superstar in the making. He re-opposes Zarkander, who beat him in the Aintree Hurdle in April and despite conceding 4lb should be fair better suited by the drop in trip and the return to Cheltenham; where the 5-y-o has a terrific record. The New One is currently the 4/1 joint-favourite (Non Runner Free Bet) with BetVictor for the Champion Hurdle with Nicky Henderson’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner My Tent or Yours.
The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup looks set to have plenty of horses reappearing from October and November’s respective handicap chases including Paddy Power Gold Cup hero Johns Spirit, who looks set to take his place as do Colour Squadron, Attaglance, Tap Night, Champion Court and the unfortunate faller Easter Meteor. David Pipe Salut Flo (2.25) entered - last seen winning The Byrne Group Plate here at the festival last March. Providing he is fit enough he looks to be the one to beat, with a great record fresh and for a stable bang in form.
The Relkeel Hurdle that rounds off the card has been won by Nicky Henderson’s Oscar Whisky the last two years and he aims to maintain his fine record in the race with Rolling Star, but he was well behind Willie Mullins’ Diakali in the Triumph Hurdle and it is difficult to reason why he can turn the form around here. Diakali (3.35) went on to win G1 Juvenile Hurdles in both Ireland and France and made a pleasing reappearance when third behind Jezki at Fairyhouse. Down in grade he is respected and Ruby Walsh is expected to come over to ride.
Its BetVictor day at Doncaster with the two highlights looking to be the BetVictor Summit Juvenile Hurdle and the BetVictor.com Handicap Chase, the latter looking the pick of the two with the locally trained Night in Milan (3.15) seeking to go one better than last year when losing out by a nostril. The 7-y-o was well backed on his seasonal return and travelled well before failing to stay three and a half miles at Sedgefield. Despite disappointing in the competitive fixed brush handicap hurdle at Haydock (won by David Pipe’s well-backed Gevrey Chambertin) he looks sure to run another bold race, despite a 6lb higher mark then his second here last year.
The BetVictor Summit Juvenile Hurdle was won by Kashmir Peak last year, fending off subsequent Triumph Hurdle third Sametegal and there could be more Cheltenham pointers from the pair of Royal Irish Hussar and Fox Norton. Nicky Henderson’s colt has been very impressive in his three starts to date but with a 7lb penalty preference lay with Nick Williams’ Fox Norton (2.05) who finished just a neck down at Market Rasen and is entitled to progress from the run.
Willie Mullins has TEN entered at the five day stage for the €70,000 Navan Novices’ Hurdle (G1) over two and a half miles on Sunday, in a race that has been used as a pointer towards the Cheltenham Festival. Mullins’ pair of Boston Bob and Pont Alexandre well-backed for the Albert Bartlett in the last two years, on the back of winning this very race and any winner will be respected should they indeed turn up at Prestbury Park
Faugheen looks the pick of Mullins’ entries, 2/2 over hurdles and cut for both the Neptune (8s from 12s) and Albert Bartlett (12s from 16s) after his Noel Meade’s Apache Stronghold (1.05) will have strong claims should he take up his entry, staying on stoutly to beat a stellar field in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle (G2) over course and distance last month and looks the one to side with for Noel Meade and Paul Carberry.
For all your sporting odds go to BetVictor.com
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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Thursday, 28 November 2013
Hennessy Gold Cup Day at Newbury
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Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup headlines three fantastic days of jump racing at Newbury as the National Hunt Season gets well and truly in full swing.
The race has a history of favouring second season chasers, the likes of Denman (2007), Diamond Harry (2009) and last year’s winner Bobs Worth all succeeding and despite not being seen for 18 months Invictus has been warm since betting opened, last seen beating last year’s winner Bobs Worth in The Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. Nicky Henderson’s subsequent Gold Cup winner won from a mark of 160 yet Invictus runs from a mark of 145; does he have over a stone in hand as the figures would suggest?
Jim Culloty’s Lord Windermere and Willie Mullins' Prince De Beauchene (14/1 from 20/1 with BetVictor after Ruby Walsh was confirmed to ride) have both been backed, seeking to give Ireland their first winner of the race in 33 years; their second since Arkle’s famous win in 1965. Lord Windermere is seeking to be the third consecutive horse attempting to do the RSA/Hennessy double after Denman and Bobs Worth; both incidentally going onto win The Gold Cup to complete a memorable treble.
Hennessey Gold Cup Prices from BetVictor
Rocky Creek7/1
Lord Windermere - 7/1
Our Father - 8/1
Highland Lodge - 10/1
Invictus - 10/1
Hadrians Approach - 10/1
Merry King - 12/1
Prince De Beauchene - 14/1
Katenko - 14/1
16/1 Bar
EW ¼ 1-2-3-4
The most interesting runner in the race without question is David Pipe’s runner Our Father, the trainer in red-hot form; Dynaste running a terrific race in defeat when chasing home Cue Card in the Betfair Chase to earn quotes of 7/1 for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and 4/1 for the King George on Boxing Day. The master of Pond House completed a four-timer following Dell Arca’s win in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, completing at four-timer on the day when rounded off by Red Sherlock win in the bumper, in the colours of his late owner David Johnson.
The late David Johnson and his family own a share of Our Father and Timmy Murphy looks set to partner him on Saturday with the key to the 7-y-o being his record fresh. He won a competitive Ascot handicap in December 2011, before doting up at Cheltenham’s Open Meeting to beat Paul Nicholls’ Sire Collognes by 20 lengths; again first time out. A mark of 147 looks to flatter him and providing he handles quicker ground than he’s used to, he look sure to go very close indeed.
The race looks to be a stone lower in class compared to recent times, Cape Tribulation heading the weights from an official mark of 158, Tidal Bay likewise from 170, the latter proving himself a solid Grade 1 animal where Malcolm Jefferson’s 9-y-o looks very poorly handicapped. Loch Ba would be interesting at 33/1 however if an animal rated 133 can win a Hennessy it is a very poor affair.
Venetia’s horses are in good nick and she has Katenko,(who would want it bottomless) with Adan Coleman opting to ride ahead of Houblon Des Obeaux, who fits the profile of a second season chaser with strong form in novice company. A 10lb hike for beating Merry King at Ascot looks a bit harsh however, and he will now have to toil out three mile handicap chases to come back to a workable mark, or take his chance in higher grade.
Nicky Henderson is another with two intended runners; surprisingly Barry Geraghty has ditched Hadrians Approach to ride Triolo D’Alene, third behind the two mentioned horses at Ascot at the start of the month. Hadrians Approach has been well backed in the week with us at BetVictor and will have the services of Nico De Bonville taking off a useful 5lb.
Highland Lodge chased home Standing Ovation, who went onto win since, which looks a strong form line despite David Pipe’s horse missing out on the four-timer – given a poor ride throughout and didn’t look to suit jumping left-handed. Leighton Aspell rides for the first time and Emma Lavelle’s charge is undoubtedly well handicapped.
The more I look through the race the more I feel it’s there for the taking for Pipe’s OUR FATHER. There will be lots of pace in the race with the likes of Highland Lodge, Theatre Guide and Rocky Creek all likely to be prominent and I would be disappointed if Timmy Murphy isn’t able to sit in the rear and bide his time before creeping into it two out. His record fresh and the stable’s current form make him a cracking each way prospect at the 8/1 mark, Donald McCain’s Super Duty looking the value a the bigger prices, 20/1 with BetVictor and Jason Maguire legged up to ride.
Hennessy Gold Cup – Our Father 3pts EW at 8/1 with BetVictor
Hennessy Gold Cup – Super Duty 1pt EW at 20/1 with BetVictor
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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Monday, 4 November 2013
BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup Day at Exeter
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It’s BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter and last year’s awesome winner Cue Card (2.50) returns, this racing catapulting him to win The Ascot Chase and Ryanair Chase (Both G1), before chasing home Sprinter Sacre at Aintree, arguably his finest performance in spite of defeat.
He is the 11/8 favourites with the sponsors to successfully defend his crown but looks to have his stiffest challenge to date; conceding upwards of a stone to Somersby, Module, Fago and William’s Wishes; a stellar renewal and then some. That being said it looks hard to oppose the favourite; Colin Tizzard’s stable star will have no problem carrying the weight and the stable have started the season in good nick. With the ground likely to be around the forecasted good-to-soft he should have conditions to suit and use this, once more, as a springboard to a fruitful season.
The 7-y-o remains the 4/1 ante post favourite for The Ryanair Chase at The Cheltenham Festival and BetVictor are Money Back-Free Bet on all ante post markets already, ensuring punters won’t be out of pockets should you back a horse and they don’t for whatever reason turn up.
Haldon Gold Cup aside it’s a terrific card at Exeter and the Tizzard stable will likely have high hopes for Billy No Name (1.50), for the same connections after dotting up in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton. He had previously chased home subsequent Cheltenham scorer Kings Palace and looks set to have higher things on his agenda and will no doubt jump a fence in time to boot.
David Pipe’s Doctor Harper (2.20) was a non-runner at Stratford last week due to the heavy going and instead makes a belated debut over hurdles here; he looks one of the most fascinating runners of the day, last seen finishing down the field in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. Timmy Murphy rides for David Pipe and providing he jumps well enough, he should have far too much class for the field, with much grander things on the horizon.
A horse who was nothing but frustrating last year was Emma Lavelle’s Claret Cloak (3.20) who was left wanting in the search for good ground last year and looks sure to have a strong season ahead of him in the two mile novice chasing division. The 6-y-o made a smooth transition when putting a smart round of jumping in at Towcester and with the stable firing on all cylinders. Paul Nicholls’s had a cracking weekend with Rolling Aces and Tidal Bay’s respective successes and he looks to have the danger with recent Cheltenham scorer Dark Lover.
The Lavelle team can round the card off with a quick-fire treble as she has recent scorer Kind of Easy (3.50) in the three mile handicap chase and the relatively unexposed Fix It Right (4.20) in the three mile handicap hurdle. Kind of Easy was an impressive winner when staying on well to win over two and three quarters at Fontwell, despite jumping errors, and should be able to defy an 11lb rise.
The 5-y-o Fix It Right was, like most of her runners thus far this season; well backed in a three mile handicap hurdle at Chepstow however looked in need of the run, travelling well before tiring in the latter stages. From an unaltered mark of 111 and should have plenty more to offer.
1.50 Billy No Name
2.20 Doctor Harper (Nap)
2.50 Cue Card
3.20 Claret Cloak
3.50 Kind of Easy
4.20 Fix It Right
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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Monday Racing from Plumpton and Kempton
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Proper racing is back, and how. Harry Topper won a dramatic Charlie Hall Chase, earning a quote of 20/1 for The Cheltenham Gold Cup; the 6-y-o looks a proper staying chaser in the making, despite trainer Kim Bailey describing him as a 'big baby' - he should be even better in time. Tidal Bay successfully defended his West Yorkshire Hurdle, getting up late to deny Alan King's Medinas and Paul Nicholls' enigmatic 12-y-o is now 12/1 from 16/1 for The Hennessy at Newbury in three weeks’ time, aiming to go one better than his second place finish last year behind Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth.
Full betting for The Hennessy
Tidal Bay's long term plan looks to be The Grand National; he is 25/1 from 33/1 for Aintree' spectacle as is Gordon Elliot's Roi Du Me (25/1 from 50/1) after a comprehensive dismantling of a strong field in The JNWine Chase at Down Royal. Both look to have stamina in abundance and will be primed from genius connections for the world's most famous steeplechase. BetVictor are already paying FIVE places and are Non Runner-Free Bet on the race.
Monday sees jump racing double handed at Kempton and Plumpton, with the former offering a veritable treat of national hunt racing. Barry Geraghty makes the trip over the Irish Sea to ride for Nicky Henderson and the pair look to have a smart one in the first with Volnay De Thaix (1.05), an expensive import who has smart form from France, in a race the trainer generally does well in; winning last year with Oscar Hoof.
Henderson should be able to make it 2/2 with Captain Cutter (1.35), AP McCoy continuing on his search for 4000 winners when riding for boss JP McManus. The 6-y-o chased home Willie Mullins' impressive winner Turnandgo at the Punchestown festival and has always been held in the highest regard. Started out in a 2m 5f novices hurdle should be the beginning for what looks like, a promising career.
The handicap hurdle on the card looks an absolute cracker, Michael Hourigan sends over The Crafty Butcher from Ireland whilst David Pipe's former Feltham winner Grands Crus reappears, with a fine record around the track including finishing third in The King George last year. The one to side with however is Tom George's God's Own (2.40) who was unfortunate to be brought down when running a stormer on his seasonal beau at Chepstow last month. He looked for all the world the winner that day and despite running from a pound out of the handicap, should be primed to make amends for his unlucky departure in South Wales, with the stable gradually coming into a bit of form.
At Plumpton, Martin Keighley’s Always Bold can go better than his second placed finish last time out when taking the three and a quarter handicap chase, with Tom Siddall in the plate. The 7-y-o chased home Sue Smith’s well backed favourite Benny’s Well at Uttoxeter and was scheduled to run last Sunday, with the ground being a touch on the quick side for him. He will relish the trip and the forecasted soft ground and despite being a touch one-paced, remains on the right side of the handicapper.
The stable can double up in the finale with the mare Bold Tara in the handicap hurdle and Ollie Garner using his 8lb claim. The mare is game as they come and she looked like winning at the track three weeks ago when failing to see out a longer trip and blundering two out. A better round of jumping should see her go closing to getting her head in front, from an unrevised mark and over a better trip, now down to two and a half miles.
One to keep an eye on at Wolverhampton is Tom Dascombe's Ujaygar (4.25) who was well punted (11/4 from 9/1) last time out at Lingfield when chasing home Willie Muir's Black Schnapps and the Dalakhani colt should be able to recoup the fingers burnt on him that day in a weak looking maiden.
1.05 - Volnay De Thaix
1.35 - Captain Cutter
2.40 - God's Own
2.25 - Always Bold
4.05 - Bold Tara
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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