Some of you will know that I am a member of the Elite Racing Club so no prizes for guessing the highlight of the day for me. Monolith is one of the unsung heroes of the Elite string and at 8 years old is a very handy dual purpose performer. In June he won the Pontefract Cup on the flat over 2 and a quarter miles and today’s success in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham came over 2 miles 5. He always appeared to be going well today and Keith Mercer delivered his challenge to perfection.
There are a few runners from our jumps list to follow in action tomorrow. Carl Llewellyn is new to the training ranks but obviously has a wealth of experience as a jockey. He runs Roll Along in the Cheltenham 3.20 and this well related gelding has already won 3 out of 3 in bumpers. Roll Along will be strongly fancied to make a winning start to his hurdles career.
Paul Nicholls seems to have his horses in good form alrerady and there have been favourable reports about Gungadu who runs for Nicholls in the 5.05. Gungadu shapes like a stayer and this extended 3 miles should suit.
Snap Tie was apparently purchased for a tidy sum by his current connections after winning a Limerick Bumper. He makes his UK debut in the bumper at 5.40. It is never easy to win these races under a penalty but regardless of the outcome tomorrow he looks one to follow.
Howard Johnson and his new jockey Paddy Brennan have enjoyed a good spell of late. The partnership is represented by Astarador in the 1.50 at Sedgefield. His form in bumpers suggests that a hurdle race or two should come his way.
I hope that this quartet will give us a run for our money.
ahorse 