Highlights of today’s racing for me were the wins from Snap Tie and Short Skirt. Snap Tie has always looked a nice type and should go on to better things over hurdles. Short Skirt won at Newmarket in gritty fashion for Godolphin despite having been off the track for a year.
I will give the jumpers priority tonight as there is an excellent card at Cheltenham.
In the 2.55 I fancy Imperial Commander, a horse whose career I have followed closely after he won a bumper on his debut beating Snap Tie by 8 lengths.
Private Be and Bob Hall represent our list to follow in the 3.30. Private Be won at Aintree on his last start beating Bob Hall by 3 lengths. He has not always looked the most straightforward of rides but certainly has potential. Bob Hall rarely runs a bad race and should be in the firing line.
In the 4.40 Khasab is a lightly raced sort with scope for improvement. He runs in a handicap hurdle here but may well go over fences before the season is out.
There are 2 runners from our list to follow in the 4.30 at Kelso, Smart Street and Shouldhavehadthat. Both are scopey individuals that should do well over fences.
At Newmarket we have two runners from our list to follow in the 2.05. Al Qasi is trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam whose horses have not been running well of late while Caldra has not shown enough since returning from injury to warrant much confidence. Cesare looks the most likely winner.
In the Champion Stakes at 3.15 we have 3 runners from our list to follow. Multidimensional won a Newbury recently after being sideline with a hairline fracture of the pelvis. He would need to step up on previous form to take a hand here but the trip should suit and he can’t be ruled out. Eagle Mountain has been running consistently, being placed in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies. He won his last start and should run well. Mount Nelson has been off the track for nearly a year after sustaining an injury. He won 2 of his 3 starts as a juvenile. The obvious choice would be Creachadoir who looked good when winning the Joel Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month.
I have a pretty miserable tipping record in the Cesarawitch so you may want to turn the sound down for a minute or two!
I am going to go with Macorville who has put up some sterling efforts this season including a narrow defeat in the Northumberland Plate. Sunley Peace will be suited by this extreme rest while Lightning Strike looks a fair outsider.
In the 5.05 Hawridge Prince seeks to follow up his win in the same race last season. He has had injury problems since and has not shown the same level of form this time around. He would be in with a shout at his best though.
In the 5.40 the first 3 home in the Stewards Cup, Zidane, Borderlescott and Knot in Wood meet again. Both the latter pair were a bit disappointing on their most recent start so I would be inclined to take Zidane to come out on top again. Baltic King will not be suited by the ground but Ayr Gold Cup winner Advanced is certainly one for the shortlist. Advanced and Zidane would be my 2 against the field, although the in form Fullandby could not be ruled out.
Staying with the sprinters there are 3 runners from our list to follow in the 3.05 at Catterick. Bo McGinty runs for the 19th time this season and with only 1 win from all those starts I suppose he hasn’t been much of a horse to follow. He has been consistent though with 3 seconds and 4 thirds. He probably needs to come down the weights. Strike up the Band ran well at Longchamp the other week but is probably better at 6 furlongs. How’s She Cutting has done well for us winning 3 times. She returns here after a break but the stable are not in the best of form and she doesn’t have a good draw. King Orchisios could be interesting form a favourable draw.
My best offering at Wolverhampton is Hora in the 7.55. This one looks a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver.
See you tomorrow.
ahorse 