The horses from our list to follow acquitted themselves quite well this afternoon. Sir Boreus Hawk, who is a really imposing individual, did very well to win the bumper under a penalty. He looks a horse to follow in the longer term and it would be no surprise to see him running on the flat at some stage. The runner up, Gun ‘n Butter showed promise too I thought. Annie’s Choice was 4th at Newcastle and will be interesting in mares only company while Cloudy Lane would probably have won had it not been for a bad blunder at the last.
I said last night that the massive Corrib Lad wouldn’t like the Musselburgh track. He probably didn’t, as his trainer said after the race, but he was still too resolute for his 4 rivals in the Kilmany Cup. He can win again on a galloping track. Credit must go top Keith Mercer who gave the horse a positive ride that played to his strengths of jumping and galloping.
I will look at the weekend meeting in alphabetical order starting with Chepstow.
Dom D’orgeval makes his chase debut in the 1.20 and also has his first run for David Pipe. He had some good form in handicap hurdles lasts season and looks the sort to make a chaser. You could argue that the trip might be on the short side but the very testing conditions are likely bring stamina into play.
In the 1.55 Tom George’s Turtle Soup is of interest as he likes very soft ground.
I am quite keen on the chances of former Irish points winner Closed Shop in the 3.00. He is also a bumper winner and made a sound hurdles debut when 2nd at Wincanton.
Scarvagh Diamond, a former bumper winner, was 2nd on her hurdles debut at Kelso and is entitled to go close in the 1.10 at Haydock.
From the same stable as Scarvagh Diamond, Harmony Brig won well on his chase debut at Ayr, but then was disappointing at Ascot. He is worth another chance in the 1.45.
Grey gelding Huka Lodge (picture below), trained by Kate Walton, is my each way tip in the 2.20. He goes in the soft and is a course and distance winner.
Roman Ark likes soft ground and carried 11 stone 12 to victory last time out at Market Rasen. He has gone up 7 lbs for that but he should still go well in the 3.25. Main danger looks to be another Kate Walton runner, Jimmy Bond (pictured below) a lightly raced type who loves the mud and won last time out at Wetherby.
The Tolworth Hurdle, a Grade 1, is the big race at Sandown at 2.40. There are 3 horses from our list to follow. Astarador has won his two starts over hurdles by wide margins but obviously steps up in class today. He has done nothing wrong so far and he has very strong bumper form to his credit. He was 7th in the Aintree Championship bumper with Wichita Lineman 8th and Alfie Flits, who has since won a listed race on the flat, in 4th. You can’t rule Astarador out. Perce Rock is an unexposed type. He handles heavy ground, was 4th in the Cheltenham Festival bumper and has AP McCoy in the plate.
Silverburn represents Paul Nicholls who has won this race twice in the last 4 seasons with Noland and Thisthatandtother. Silverburn is a full brother to Denman and won last time out at Newbury in soft ground. De Soto was runner up to Missed That in the 2005 Cheltenham bumper and after a long lay off has come back to win twice over hurdles, most impressively last time at Kempton when he had Blythe Knight, the Lincoln winner in second. I think De Soto is the big threat to our 3 list horses. This is a competitive heat but I am going to give Silverburn my selection.
The 3.45 looks a handicap chase worth watching. Mort de Rire represents our list to follow. He is a good jumper and should be fit after an outing over an inadequate trip last month. He has an each way chance. Dangers abound. Preacher Boy was 3rd in the Hennessey and runs off the same mark, Nadover won well in the soft at Chepstow over Christmas, Harris Bay has already won twice this season for Henrietta Knight while Latimer Place is a winner of 2 of his last 3 starts. If you are looking for a real outsider you could always try the grey Grattan Lodge. He usually does his winning at Carlisle – not that he has done any winning anywhere for some while! I thought he ran quite well for a long way behind Silver Knight at Wetherby last month though and he could have an each way squeak.
The big race at Plumpton on Sunday is the Sussex National at 3.25. The very lightly raced Geveem has won on heavy, is a course winner and stays well. He is my sporting suggestion.
I have not had time to preview the Irish meetings at Cork and Naas over the weekend. Sorry about that.
Have a good weekend and see you Sunday.
ahorse 