It has not been a good week for Paul Nicholls with one of his big name chasers, Star de Mohaison, being ruled out for the season through injury. Things got worse for him today when two of his highest rated novices, Pepperoni Pete and Natal were both well beaten odds on favourites. Natal’s conqueror was Briareus, who as I mentioned yesterday is something of a favourite with me. He has shown promise on his chase debut and confirmed that promise today over a longer trip.
Ascot 12.25 Tamarinbleu was 6th in the Paddy Power and that run should have put him straight for this. He was a winner at Ludlow last season and was only pipped at the post by the useful Accordion Etoile at Cheltenham.
Old friends abound in the 1.10. The one I like though is Harris Bay who has a progressive profile and should not be inconvenienced by the good ground.
1.40 Tarlac is our list horse and has already obliged for us this season. AP McCoy rides and this ex German course and distance winner has a sound chance. The ground will be ideal for the novice King’s Quay who looks an each way alternative to Tarlac.
2.10 Mighty Man and Neptune Collonges are our runners in the Long Walk Hurdle. Mighty Man is very consistent and has been in the first 2 on 9 of his 11 starts, and 3rd once. He was 2nd to Hardy Eustace here last time over an inadequate trip and will be hard to beat, as long as the ground is not too soft. Neptune Collonge won the Rehearsal Chase but is back over hurdles here. I just think that Mighty Man will have too much toe for him unless the ground rides soft.
2.45 Ringaroses was a smooth winner in lesser company at Kempton last time out and is my tip. Grecian Groom is a flat bred bumper winner whose dam was a half sister to the High Class flat horse Gamut. He won a couple of bumpers at Huntingdon but was then beaten out of sight at Cheltenham and has something to prove.
All eyes at Haydock will be on Rhinestone Cowboy who returns to the track in the 2.05 after an absence of 961 days when I think everyone assumed that his career was over. At his best he would win this but just how much ability he retains is anybody’s guess. On his last run he beat Iris’s Gift, who was ironically recently retired through injury, at Punchestown. Oscar Park was 2nd to a well handicapped rival at Newbury last time and comes into the reckoning. The Bajan Bandit is capable enough on his day, especially in this ground. He is 3 lbs higher than his last win over hurdles. Like The Bajan Bandit, Tees Components is rising 12 but has relatively few miles on the clock. He won’t mind the ground but the trip could be on the short side. I am going to take a chance on the mare United who will be suited by the trip.
In the 2.35 it might pay to side with Wild Cane Ridge who will relish the ground. He has plenty of weight though. At the other end of the handicap Rosie Redman acts on any ground and stays all day.
At Newcastle Go Commercial represents our list to follow in the 1.50 at Newcastle, He has failed to get round in either of his last 2 starts and is hard to fancy.
2.20 Cloudy Lane has been a bit disappointing so far, especially at Bangor last time. He is stepped up to 3 miles today and that should be in his favour.
Irish selections
Fairyhouse 1.55 Beef or Salmon
2.30 Ballytrim
SUNDAY
Navan 1.05 Mounthenry
2.35 Dun Doire
Good luck and see you tomorrow
ahorse 