It has been a good week for the list to follow with 3 more winners on Wednesday from Zowington (11/1), Lennon (9/1) and of course War of Attrition. I was also pleased that my tip for Just Dust came in at 6/1, and we also had a winner with the only selection st Kempton this evening.
One of the difficulties of following a large list of horses is simply remembering all the names. The easiest names to remember are those beginning with “Z” and I have had a few successes with these over the years. Zero Tolerance did well for me a couple of seasons back as did a horse called Zonus that was with Barry Hills. Zowington and Zomerlust have kept up the tradition for me this week.
I will start Thursday’s preview with a look at the prospects for Punchestown. Old Spot the Difference showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with when a gallant second at Cheltenham. His conqueror that day, Native Jack is in the field again for the La Touche Cup at 2.40. Spot the Difference has had a spin over hurdles since his Cheltenham defeat, is a course and distance winner and will not go down without a fight.
Accordion Etoile and In Compliance line up in the 3.50. Accordion Etoile looked a novice chaser of some promise at the start of the season when beating Tamarinbleu in a close finish. His jumping seems to have fallen apart since then though. In Compliance lost his 100%v record when beaten by Justified at Fairyhouse earlier this month. Connections take Justified on again here and it is possible that a change of tactics will see In Compliance get his nose in front.
Asian Maze was mighty impressive when easily accounting for Hardy Eustace at Aintree and is difficult to oppose in the 4.25. She will have the benefit of Ruby Walsh in the saddle. Our other list runner in this race is Travino.
Forager only beat 2 home in the listed hurdle yesterday but I see that he is entered again in the 5.35 where he is down to shoulder top weight.
Sticking with the jumpers there is again some decent action up at Perth. Len Lungo runs Rasharrow in the 2.30. Rasharrow was expected to make a big impact this season but after winning a couple of small events has not really been able to live up to expectations. He is clearly held in high regard and it may be that he will be able to redeem his slightly tarnished reputation here.
The grey Rimski has been running pretty well this season although it is a while since he got his head in front. He met a bit of a tartar in Standin’ Obligation last time out but this race looks easier and he can land the spoils in the 3.30.
Rosie Redman won for us up at Kelso recently. That was over 3.5 miles and I am not sure that the step back to 3 miles in the 4.00 will help. She goes on any ground and shouldn’t be too far away.
We have had some notable success with the flat list to follow this week. Hopefully this will continue with Sir Gerard in the 3.20 at Beverley. This one is trained by James Fanshawe and won nicely at Lingfield last October. James Fanshawe has just the one runner at the East Yorkshire venue.
Banjo Patterson runs in the 6.25 at Yarmouth. He has only run 5 times in his career and has won 3 of them. He looked a good horse last year and looks set for another successful campaign. Frankie Dettori has the ride. By the way, as a bit of a quiz question, what was the real Banjo Patterson famous for?
See you tomorrow.
ahorse 