We had a couple of winners from the list to follow today. Natal enjoyed a facile win at long odds on and Sound Accord scored a second bumper win for trainer Colin Tinkler. Sound Accord is a half brother to Lenny Lungo’s chaser Wild Cane Ridge and is a big strong type. He should have a future over hurdles initially, but more especially in the longer term over fences.
It was one of those days when, having seen the results, you start kicking yourself for not backing certain horses. De Soto was in my notebook for a while after finishing 2nd to the ill fated Missed That in the Cheltenham bumper of 2005. He had injury/training problems subsequently and I decided to adopt a watching brief. He came back to form today at Taunton at 11/1. Incidentally, hot favourite Ouninpohja was a disappointing 3rd in that race.
Classified was on my list to follow last season but he is another that has suffered injuries and he only ran once in 05/06. He has become something of a forgotten horse but his CV is not at all bad. He won the Cleeve Hurdle in 2003 and in the same year was 4th to Baracouda in the Stayers Hurdle. He got off the mark over fences today and if he remains sound there should be more races to be won with him.
The mare Rosita Bay has been featured in these ramblings from time to time. She won on her handicap hurdle debut today. She is apparently a bit of a madam at home but she showed a good attitude today to get the better of a Paul Nicholls trained favourite.
Cheltenham stages a quality card tomorrow. The first race is a novice chase at 12.10 and there are two runners from our list, Aces Four and Standin’ Obligation. The latter has won his last 4 starts. He has a good record here at Cheltenham and he jumped with some aplomb when winning here last month. I would give him a slight edge over Aces Four who goes for a hat trick here having won twice at Newcastle. He also jumps well. Good race in prospect.
Yaboya is a horse I have followed for some time. His trainer Philip Hobbs has brought him along steadily. He is lightly raced and has taken well to fences. He has top weight in the 12.45 but he looked in good nick when winning at Market Rasen 50 days ago. Should go well.
The 1.20 looks a tasty race. Paul Nicholls saddles both Cornish Rebel and My Will. Ruby Walsh has elected to ride My Will which is a bit of a tip in itself. He won a good contest here last month getting the better of Idle Talk up the hill and I would expect a bold show from him in conditions that should suit. He has been raised 6 lbs fro his win but remains reasonably treated. Model Son and All in the Stars represent our list to follow. Model Son appeals as a possible future Grand National candidate. He was 4th in the race won by My Will last month, getting tired after racing a bit too keenly. He ran well for a long way though and should be spot on for that run. More rain would help and he could go well at a price. All in the Stars won twice last season and generally ran creditably apart from a miserable performance towards the end of the season when well fancied for the Scottish National. He is a thorough stayer who can often get behind in his races.
The evergreen course specialist goes for yet another win in the cross country race at 1.55. Paul Nicholls saddles Le Duc, a slightly quirky type that might suit these obstacles.
There are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.40. Kicks for Free made it two out of two in impressive style at Haydock and is favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He faces his toughest task to date against Tidal Bay, who finished in front of him in the Aintree bumper in April and likewise is unbeaten over hurdles, while there are also possibilities about French Saulaie, from the stable which has won this corresponding race three times in the last five years.
At Southwell Thunder Rock makes his hurdles debut for Jonjo O’Neill in the 3.30. Hec was trained by Sir Michael Stoute on the level and is worth a second look.
A good days racing in prospect.
ahorse 