. Macs Joy won for the list to follow in the Irish Champion Hurdle. I thought that he had a good chance of getting the better of old rival Brae Inca in the prevailing conditions. He deserved his success.
Well, the curtain comes down on another jumps season tomorrow at Sandown
We only have 1 runner over the jumps and that is It Takes Time in the Whitbread Gold Cup (or the Betfred as it is called these days.) at 3.20. I don’t have any particular fancy for this race. Eric’s Charm absolutely dotted up at Sandown last time in the soft. He has gone up 12 lbs for that and this is an extra 5 furlongs but he did win impressively. My Will is consistent and is respected although he might need some rain. Royal Auclair should have the ground to suit and is a good weight carrier.
There is some quality flat racing at Sandown as well and we have an interest in 3 of the races starting with the 3.55 and Sir Michael Stoute’s Rob Roy. Rob Roy has always looked a colt of some potential but has not yet fulfilled that promise. He should come pretty close to winning here. Take A Bow nearly made it into my list to follow and is one of these horses that never seems to run a bad race. He could be the danger to Rob Roy.
4.25 Jadalee and Primary are our runners in a weak looking classic trial. I think that Primary has a reasonable chance of overturning the hot favourite here and gets the vote.
4.55 Both Public Forum and Cashier are lightly raced types who could turn out to be better than handicap class. Cashier won in Dubai in February and is the selection.
Haydock 5.45 Amber Valley showed some promise when 4th on her debut and can make that experience count here.
7.45 Hearthstead Dancer was disappointing on his seasonal reappearance 8 days ago. Stepped up in distance today.
8.15 Shipmaster is trained by Alan King who is better known for his national hunt horses. He does well on the flat as well though and in Shipmaster he has a staying handicapper with some promise. Looks to have the Mick Channon horse to beat.
Leicester 2.20 Suhayl Star and Fool Me are of interest here. Fool Me shaped well here last time when 4th and looks a reasonable bet to get off the mark at the second time of asking.
2.55 Zomerlust and Zowington were sprint winners for our list to follow in the week and I am hoping that Zidane can make it a hat trick of zeds. He is related to a couple of very useful sprinters and more was expected last time when he disappointed at Windsor recently. Stable getting into gear and he should do better. Swinbrook would be my idea of the main danger.
4.00 New Seeker, Quito and Etlaala are all old friends in what should be a hot little race. There should be plenty of pace on which might set things up for the fast finishing Quito.
4.30 I have retained Halla San on the list to follow after he won a couple for me last season. He has changed stables and moved to Richard Fahey now that Lynda Ramsden has retired. Tagula Blue has possibilities with K Fallon an interesting jockey booking.
5.00 Futun looks the type to improve and the stable are going well.
6.05 I am hopeful that Woolly Bully will prove the answer here. He was 2nd when a beaten favourite at Yarmouth last time.
Ripon 2.30 Rydale Ovation and Obe Brave represent the list to follow. Both were placed on their respective reappearances and of the two Obe Brave would seem to have the better chance. 3.40 Dr Sharp is the each way call here. He is suited by a test of stamina and looks to be on a fair mark. 5.10 Baron Rhodes is probably going to pop up at a good price somewhere. Not well drawn on this occasion though. Back tomorrow night, be lucky.
ahorse 