One selection for today and one winner thanks to the veteran Kerry Lads. Lucinda Russell’s 12 year old pulled clear along with Sharp Jack and had a fair lead over the last but he was running on empty up the run in when the other 3 finishers almost caught him. Another great old timer, Jungle Jinks had looked beaten 2 out but stayed on again when many would have thrown in the towel to get within a length of the exhausted winner. Gutsy stuff from the two old timers who are proper racehorses.
Nicky Henderson’s mare Karello Bay had some nice bumper form last season culminating with a neck win over Wyldello at Sandown. She must have a good chance of making a winning start to her hurdles career in the 12.40 at Fontwell. The other one I like in this race is Benetwood , a bumper winner at this track who made a promising hurdles bow when 2nd at Sandown. Benetwood is related to the high class chaser Monsieur Le Cure who fell fatally in the 1996 Gold Cup.
I have an Elite Racing Club runner in the 1.40. Sha Bihan is a bit of an unknown quantity really as he has been difficult to get fit but he was a winner over hurdles at Angers in France. Fingers crossed for this one but at least trainer Alan King is in sparkling form.
The booking of Tony McCoy for Swift Sailor in the 3.10 caught my eye. He is a course winner which I always think counts for something around here. Swift Sailor showed a liking for this type of tight track on the flat as he was 2nd in the Chester Cup.
Urban Tiger represents our list to follow in the 1.00 at Lingfield but he has been disappointing so far this season and he looks the stable second string.
Another really disappointing “lister” is Grecian Groom who runs in the 1.30. He seems unlikely to be suited by the prevailing ground conditions.
Bye for now
ahorse 