As the flat season draws to a close the main attraction tomorrow will be over the jumps at Exeter. In the first race there at 1.40 According to Dick, a recent bumper winner, may well make a winning start to his hurdles career. He is by Accordion and was the winner of his only Irish point to point back in April.
Mahonia won a bumper at Chepstow before being far from disgraced in the Cheltenham Championship Bumper. He looks an exciting prospect for novice hurdles and is my selection in the 2.10.
The Haldon Gold Cup at 2.40 has been won by some very good horses in the past, the likes of Best Mate, Edredon Bleu, Monkerhostin, Impek and Azertyuiop to name but a few. Twist Magic looks the class act this time round. He is very much ground dependant and if the going were to be on the soft side he could be vulnerable off top weight. Based on their running at Punchestown in April Natal has a fair chance of turning the tables on Twist Magic and he is my selection. Of the others Roman Ark needs soft ground while Ashley Brook has something to prove after a disappointing campaign last season. Pablo Du Charmil won the race last season and also won at this meeting in 2006. He faces some stiff opposition here though and there is a slight doubt about the form of the stable. Natal will do for me.
Oumeyade runs in the Jim Lewis colours made famous by Best Mate, Edredon Bleu and Impek. A half brother to the useful Ladalko, Oumeyade has been a much improved horse since joining the Paul Nicholls stable. He has been winning in handicap company but having gone up in the weights he runs in a novice chase tomorrow at 3.10. He will clearly be difficult to beat and will like as not start odds on. I am going to take him on with the Alan King trained Greenbridge. He was no match for I’msingingtheblues at Kempton but will have learned from the experience.
In the 3.40 my each way selection is Arrayou. He is well treated over fences compared to his hurdles mark. Oliver Sherwood who trains Arrayou has Ballygalley Bob in the 4.10. He is a staying chaser really but runs here in a handicap hurdle. It might not be quite a stiff enough test for him.
On the flat at Southwell Harlech Castle goes for a three timer in the 2.30. He has a 6 lbs penalty for winning at Catterick but David Probert takes 5 lbs off and this in form horse and rider combination is my best bet of the day on the flat.
At Catterick in the 2.20 West with the Wind represents my list to follow. He has been disappointing though and I couldn’t tip him.
At Maisons-Laffitte Utmost Respect should get his favoured soft ground in the 2.50 while in the Melbourne Cup my two against the field would be Mad Rush and Septimus.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Maura Clarke.
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