Day: October 18, 2008

Following hard on the heels of the 2 day Cheltenham meeting we have some quality national hunt racing at Kempton tomorrow.

Paul Nicholls and Alan King clash in the novice chase at 2.50, saddling Greenbridge and I’msingingtheblues respectively. Greenbridge won novice hurdles at Doncaster and Kempton last season and is thought to be high up the pecking order among the novice chasers in Alan King’s stable. I’msingingtheblues was a winner at Wincanton on his hurdling debut and he went on to win a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. He prefers good ground. Of the others Otage De Brion is another that likes good ground. Trained by the up and coming Charlie Longsden he had some solid form over hurdles last season. These would be the three that most interest me and if pushed for a selection I would just favour Greenbridge although it might come down to a case of fitness first time out.

The Paul Nicholls trained Woolcombe Folly is likely to be an odds on favourite in the 3.25. If he lacks for fitness at all on his first run of the season the race fit Huntingdon winner Oceana Gold could be the one to take advantage with track and ground both in his favour and the stable in top form.

All eyes will be on Champion Hurdle winner Katchit as he makes his seasonal reappearance in the 4.35. He should win if anything like at his best although the track might not exactly play to his strengths. Of the opposition Katies Tutor and Snap Tie arer worth a mention. Katies Tutor won decent handicap hurdles at Cheltenham and Market Rasen last season while Snap Tie has always been held in high regard by his trainer Philip Hobbs. Connections see Snap Tie as a possible Champion Hurdle horse but he will need to run Katchit close if he is to confirm that promise. This looks an intriguing contest. Katchit (pictured below) is the percentage call.

Brinkmanship has taken well to fences and with Tony McCoy booked to ride is an obvious fancy in the 5.35.

Shoreacres was 4^th in the Cheltenham Champion bumper in March and it would be disappointing if he couldn’t win over hurdles. He looks a promising recruit and makes his debut over timber in the 3.00 at Fontwell with the busy Mr McCoy in the saddle.

Master Medic should be all the better for his run at Huntingdon last week and is my selection in the Fontwell 3.35.

There are two runners from my list to follow in action on the flat at Southwell. Just Two Numbers (3.15) and Dan Chillingworth (4.25) with the latter looking to have the better chance.

Diminuto is something of a course specialist at Southwell with 3 wins over course and distance. She was a good second on turf at Leicester last time out and should go well in the 3.50.

My thanks to Kate Tann for the photo of Katchit.

Bye for now.

 

The Saturday morning update is something of an experiment.

I am still going with Stimulation in the Newmarket 2.05.  At a big price Balthazaar’s Gift could be each way value.

I will also stick with Soul City in the 2.35 as I am not convinced that Rip Van Winkle is value.

In the Cesarewitch Mamlook, Arc Bleu, Liberate and possibly Gee Dee Nen look the percentage calls based on recent form and the draw which has historically been important in this race.

Lordsbridge looks the most likely outsider in the Cheltenham 2.20 while Private B may have been laid out for the 3.25.  He is a quirky sort but might be best when caught fresh. I was tempted to go for Malcolm Jefferson’s Calatagan in this at a big price.  He might just want softer ground than he is likely to get at Cheltenham today though.  Patman Du Charmil has a good chance and I wouldn’t want to put you off if you fancy him.

I didn’t have time to look at the Catterick card last night.  The 3.35 is televised on Channel 4 and if you want an interest in the race Tim Easterby’s Captain Dunne is well drawn and looks the obvious choice. If returning to his form earlier in the season Total Impact would have a chance at a bigger price.

Good luck.