Welcome to the new look web site – hope you like the format. It is early days and there may be a few teething problems so I will apologise in advance.
The horses from our list to follow did pretty well in the main on Friday. Star de Mohaison and Straw Bear could scarcely have been more impressive in winning their respective races. Conna Castle, Turpin Green and Fota Island all ran with credit to finish 2nd in their races.
Turning to Saturday’s card we have 3 list runners in the tricky looking handicap hurdle at 1.45. Dusky Warbler was a close 2nd in the Imperial Cup and his subsequent failure at Cheltenham might have just come too soon. He is in with a shout but preference is for the Paul Nicholls trained Monte Cinto who seems to be gradually coming to hand. Our other runner in this is Lord Henry who was an encouraging 7th in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and goes well on good ground.
Accordion Etoile fell at Cheltenham. He is not short of class if he can get his jumping right and he likes decent ground. The Alan King horse will be a hot favourite though and sets the standard. Our other runner is Cerium is a course and distance winner but looks to have something to find with the main contenders.
We have 3 runners in the 2.50. Royal Shakespeare is not up to this class but his connections are going for the BHB Order of Merit title so will be happy with some points for a place finish. Good ground suits him. Patriarch Express probably represents the best of the home challenge in a race likely to go the way of the Irish. Asian Maze is likely to prove the best of our trio. I was surprised that connections ran her in the Champion Hurdle. This longer trip should suit her better.
We have Valley Ride and the grey Rimski in the 3.25. I would give Rimski a bit of an each way chance. To be honest though he has not lived up to the promise of his early season wins.
The Grand National is covered in a separate article. For the record the following runners are from our list to follow, Clan Royal, Juveigneur, Nil Desperandum, Sir OJ and Lord of Illusion.
In the bumper at 5.30 Round the Horn runs for the list to follow and Alfie Flits also runs from the flat list to follow. Alfie Flits gets an allowance for a 4 year old and gets my vote.
ahorse 