The month of April is always a tricky time to run this sort of web site as there is racing all over the place under both codes and it is easy to miss something.
I will cover both Saturday and Sunday tonight, starting with Kempton. I have a lot of horses from Sir Michael Stoute’s stable on my list to follow so here’s hoping he has a good season. Rohaani showed progressive form last season winning 3 times and losing nothing in defeat when 4th on his final outing in a race where the form has worked out well. He makes his first appearance on an all weather surface here but should go well. He has had a few problems in the starting stalls in the past. He is a big horse and doesn’t fit in them too well apparently. He runs in the 3.15.
Hiddensee proved a promising stayer last term and the 2 mile trip here should suit him. A bit like Rohaani really, he will go well if he takes to the surface and the track. He runs in the 5.25.
Howard Johnson has not enjoyed the best of seasons following on from all his successes of last term. Few of his runners have really lived up to expectations and Julius Caesar is no exception. After winning first time out his jumping has let him down badly since. He would have a chance in the 2.30 at Carlisle if he has improved his fencing. I see that Chopneyev, something of an old friend, runs in this. He was a good hurdler a few years back until injuries interrupted his career.
I have got quite excited about the handicap chase at 3.30! Sad isn’t it? Anyway, our runner in this is Undeniable who is a very consistent type. He has won once this season and last time out he was 3rd at Cheltenham. He isn’t the quickest thing on 4 lengths but he jumps well and never seems to run a bad race. I also have a personal interest in this via Dungarvan’s Choice, an Elite runner. He runs off 128 whereas his best previous winning mark was 123 and he ahs gone up 3 lbs for finishing 2nd last time. He will relish the soft ground though and surely Nicky Henderson wouldn’t send him to Carlisle if he didn’t have a fair chance. Silver Knight has had a successful time this season winning twice. He is a course and distance winner, jumps well and has a very consistent career record. Another interesting runner is Grattan Lodge who has been badly out of form this season but has won at this track 6 times. Nice race – Undeniable has a sound chance. Just a though. Miss Matie Ross is pretty well handicapped I feel on her close second to Silver Knight earlier in the season.
In the 4.10 at Cork Sher Beau is my selection. He disappointed last time at Leopoardstown behind The Railway Man but this looks easier.
Another from our list to follow, Spot the Difference, runs in the handicap hurdle at 4.40 but this looks like a warm up race before the Punchestown festival.
Over at Haydock Oscar Park represents the list to follow in the 2.55. He has won a couple of novice hurdles this season but is giving weight away to all his rivals here and that may make life difficult for him.
We have a couple of listers in the 2,000 guineas trial at Leopardstown at 3.50. Aiden O’Brien saddles James Joyce. On the face of it his form does not look anything special but he has shown that he handles this ground and looks the sort that could improve at 3. Mick Channon sends over Yassood who ran 8 times last season. He does not look Classic Class but should be campaigned to win a race or two at a lower level. He did cross the line in first pace in a group 3 at Longchamps last season but was disqualified.
Galileo Gallilei runs for Aiden O’Brien in the 5.20. He did enough on his debut when 3rd here to suggest he has a future and i9s my selection. Should be suited by the trip.
Moving on to Sunday there is an interesting little maiden at 2.20. I considered Jack Rackham, Just Dust and Stepaside for this. Of the three Just Dust has already had a run. He was slowly away at Bath before staying on into 7th. I wouldn’t give up on him yet. Brian Smart has a poor record with his juveniles first time out so I will keep a watching brief on Jack Rackham. I will give a tentative vote to Stepaside with Just Dust an each way chance.
Gregoravitch represents our list to follow in the 2.50. He is a tough sort that should pay his way this summer. He is a course and distance winner and I would expect a decent run from him.
Accordello runs in the 4.20. She is on our jumps, list to follow and his trainer does well with this type of horse on the flat. Accordello has sound bumper form and has been running in some decent novice hurdles. Should go well.
Finger on the Pulse has not been out of th first 3 in his last 5 runs. He should appreciate the ground in the 4.00 at Cork. Good each way chance.
The big race at Fairyhouse is the Powers Gold Cup at 3.50. 4 of the 9 runners are from our list to follow. In Compliance is considered a Gold Cup prospect and has a 100% record. Missed That was 6th in the Arkle at Cheltenham but had previously run up a hat trick. Wild Passion was 4th in the same race while The Railway Man was 7th in the Royal and Sunalliance. This is a close call and I think I am going to duck it. I suppose I would take a chance with In Compliance if pushed.
Back Sunday evening.
ahorse 