It was not a vintage weekend for the horses on our list to follow but one that did win, and in some style, was Sue Smith’s Undeniable. Approaching 3 out it looked as though the Elite Racing Club runner, Dungarvakn’s Choice would be a threat as he was travelling easily but he found little in the closing stages and Undeniable skipped clear. Dungarvan’s Choice is trained by Nicky Henderson but Elite use 7 or 8 trainers, not a bad idea if you think about it. Less chance of your “stable” being put out of action with a virus for example.
One Elite trainer that has impressed me with the placing of her horses is Julie Camacho and she has a couple of runners from our list to follow on Monday, both at Redcar.
She runs Sir Nod in the 3.25, a 6 furlong handicap. On his last run Sir Nod was 2nd on the All Weather behind Fyodor who has since franked the form. At 8/1 he looks a reasonable each way bet. There are 3 of our former “listers” in Bo McGinty, Danzig River and Trojan Flight. The first two are difficult to win with but have ability. Trojan Flight is more consistent and I will be interested to watch his progress this season. Now that Lynda Ramsden has retired Trojan Flight has gone to David Chapman who does very well with sprinters.
The other Julie Camacho runner is Rio Riva in the 4.00. This colt by Pivotal has only been out of the first 4 once in 9 starts. He shapes as though he has further room for improvement and a good season looks on the cards. At 10/1 he looks another value each way bet.
Platinum Charmer, something of an old friend runs in the 5.10. I see that at least one of the newspaper tipsters goes for him.
We have one runner in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse (3.50). Our Ben is a course winner and 7 year olds have quite a good record in the race. He has top weight however which is not a positive in a race like this.
Charlie Egerton runs Hobbs Hill in the 5.25 at Plumpton. This big horse ran away with a bumper at Kempton but failed to justify favouritism on his hurdles debut at Wincantion when beaten into 2nd. He looks a scopey sort and may well have improved for that hurdles bow.
Kevin Ryan gives Springtime Parkes her racecourse debut at Warwick in the 2.10. This one is related to numerous winners and looks a filly to watch. Her trainer does not have a great record with his juveniles first time out though.
The same trainer has an interesting newcomer in the 2.25 at Yarmouth in Amber Valley. Another for the notebook win or lose here.
In the 3.35 Sir Michael Stoute runs the well bred Pearly King. He didn’t show a lot on his only run last season but may well be better than that.
In the 4.10 Sant Elena looks well handicapped and has the scope to be a class above these rivals. She won nicely at Nottingham last October and was putting in good late work behind Easy Air when 3rd on her seasonal reappearance. As long as she handles the potentially fast ground OK I fancy her chances.
Good luck
ahorse 