Our list horses fared rather better today with Aux le Baahn winning the bumper at Lingfield and Dunsfold Duke finishing 2nd at 8/1 on his handicap debut on the same card.
Elsewhere I was interested to see that Family Business won the hunter chase at Chepstow. Back in 2003 he was involved in a bizarre incident in a steeplechase at Southwell. He was a faller, but as the race developed all his rivals came a cropper as well. Tony McCoy got back on board to jump round in splendid isolation and claim the spoils. Today was the horse’s first win since then.
Jumps racing on Thursday is at Ayr and Ludlow. Ossmoses runs in the novice hurdle at Ayr (2.50). He is entered for the Grand National so presumably this is a warm up for the big race in April. He is a decent chaser and although he is yet to win this season he won the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock last season. I am not sure what to make of him in this hurdles contest as he ahs hardly run over timber before. He will appreciate the going but the trip looks on the short side.
Len Lungo’s Troll carries top weight in the Ayr 4.50, which is a handicap hurdle. He won at Sedgefield on Boxing Day but was then beaten at Kelso. A tall, scopey sort Troll should make a chaser next season. He will at least handle the ground tomorrow but is off the same mark as when losing at Kelso. The key to that race was that he was not allowed to dominate.
I put Secured on my list to follow as I thought that he might pop up at a good price when no one was looking. He has not had much joy over fences and is back in a handicap hurdle tomorrow in the 4.00 at Ludlow where he is a course and distance winner.
That is about it for tonight – see you tomorrow.
ahorse 