French Saulaie dotted up for our list to follow at Huntindon today. Although he was 4/6, as the commentator said at the time “if all odds on favourites won like that the world would be a better place.” Saulaie is French for willow plantation, I bet you didn’t know that! Cathedral Rock put in a pleasing effort in 3rd in the same race.
Richard Johnson rode French Saulaie and completed a double later in the afternoon on board Chopneyev for Richard Phillips. Chopneyev is a horse that I used to follow over hurdles. He has had his injury problems but has now run 4 times in quick succession and is really making hay in the soft ground. Can you make hay in the rain? Oh well you know what I mean. Chopneyev is certainly tough and showed far too much resolution for his rivals.
With all the rain that has been falling some of tomorrow’s meetings hinge on inspections. I will carry on with the usual preview in the hope that something goes ahead.
Sha Bihan won over 2 miles 6 last week at Fontwell and is raised 8 lbs in the weights as a result. The extra 2 furlongs of the 2.45 at Kempton should help him and he does handle soft ground. Alan King’s horses are in excellent form and I am hopeful of a big run from this one.
Henrietta Knight’s Racing Demon, 3rd to Kauto Star in the King George is switched to hurdles for the 3.15. He is well treated in comparison to his chase mark and ground, trip and track should all suit.
Gungadu found one too good for him at Warwick last time and looks to get back to winning ways in the 2.00 at Warwick. He is related to The Tsarevich who was 2nd in a Grand National. He has never won in anything softer than good to soft.
Bleak House represents our list to follow in the 2.30. He is a bumper winner and was 3rd behind Kicks for Free at Haydock last time having won over hurdles at Aintree. He is yet to race on soft ground but is likely to appreciate the trip.
Madison Du Berlais was 4th at Chepstow in his last run. He has gone down a couple of pounds in the weights, acts on soft and is probably running over his best trip in the 3.00.
Jumping errors are proving costly for Kinburn this season but if he can put in a good round of fencing he would have a chance ion the 3.30. Ladalko is another win plenty of ability but can be an erratic jumper. Either of these could win if on a good day. Tana River is a thorough stayer who revels in the mud and has never fallen in his career. He is on a hat trick and has to be respected here. Tana River is an 11 year old, as is Robert Alner’s runner in this, Sir Rembrandt. He was 2nd in this race last season and showed he is no back number when runner up in the Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day. D’Argent defied a long lay off to win in the soft at Cheltenham last month and if in that sort of form again would be in the firing line here.
Another veteran, Jungle Jinks is a bit of a standing dish at Wetherby, having won there 5 times. On his last 4 visits to the Yorkshire track his form figures read 3133, he loves the mud and is entitled to be in the shake up in the 2.20.
The advance going at Punchestown is heavy which should suit recent Limerick winner You Sir in the 12.55.
Back tomorrow evening – see you then.
ahorse 