Sir Jimmy Shand won for the list to follow at Newbury this afternoon at 5/4.
Our other list runner was Reach for the Top in the novice chase. He made a number of jumping errors though and was possibly not suited by the soft ground. The race was dominated by a couple of horses that I had on my list to follow last season. Irish Raptor has taken a bit of time to get the hang of things since arriving in the UK but he jumped beautifully today and made just about every yard. The mare Heltornic ran well enough in a clear second without ever really threatening the winner.
We have 5 list runners in action tomorrow. The first is at Catterick in the 2.20 where top weight Prince of Slane has a good track record. He does however seem to prefer good ground so he may not relish the conditions.
Bold Bishop and Mort de Rire are our representatives in a competitive looking 1.40 at Exeter. Bold Bishop won over fences twice last season and looks reasonably handicapped. The ex French Mort de Rire is a good jumper who won at Leicester on his UK debut last season. He went on to finish a respectable 3rd to the decent Halcon Generlardais at Wetherby. Bold Bishop is my selection.
Mister Quasimodo was pulled up on his return to action in October but may have needed the run. He is a winner over hurdles and also a dual bumper winner and looks very much a chasing type. His dam was placed in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National. He acts on soft ground and the step up in trip here should suit him. Our other runner in this race is Travel Agent. He only had one outing over hurdles when showing considerable promise. He looks a good prospect for fences and comes from a stromg family line.
At Gowran Park Perce Rock is my selection in the 1.05.
Bye for now
ahorse 