In the 5.50 at Great Leighs the form of the horses with previous experience does not look that hot so it might be worth looking at the newcomers. Lord of the Dance is a half brother to Major Cadeaux and is by Indian Haven who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas. It might also be worth considering the Godolphin runner Manahej.
Staying with the 2 year olds Celestial Dream has her second run in the 7.20. She is particularly well bred being by Oasis Dream out of a top class sprinter. She should come on for her run a couple of weeks ago when finishing 4th at Bath.
There have been some encouraging reports about the unraced Emirates Champion who runs in the 8.20.
There is a good jumping card at Haydock. In his last 4 runs Raining Horse has won twice and fallen twice. Despite his name he is best on good ground and if putting in a clear round he could go well in the 1.10.
The 2.10 has attracted some real old stagers with Keith Reveley represented by Hidden Bounty and Heros Collonges aged 12 and 13 respectively. Heros Colonges was highly rated at one time but has not won since 2005. In fact he finished runner up in the Welsh National of that year. Hidden Bounty also has some fair form in the past but he also last won in 2005. There are a few of these with decent form in the book over the years. Kandjar D’Allier won the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in 2006 on heavy ground. Daldini has had a couple of “sighters” and doesn’t look on a bad mark but for my selection I am going with Native Coral. He was faller at Bangor on his last start but has ability when things fall right for him and is a horse I have always liked. The ground should suit him.
Naiad Du Misselot proved a profitable horse for this site last season winning twice, including the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. With only 6 career runs he is open to plenty of improvement and looks the sort to do well over fences, although he is not over big. He comes from a stable whose horses often need their first run of the season. Coe won at Wetherby and Haydock last December and ran with credit when runner up to Battlecry at Doncaster. Some of Sue Smith’s horses are getting a bit long in the tooth but Coe could well become a bit of a flagbearer for the yard over the next couple of years. I see that Tony McCoy has the ride. This is a decent race and Nom de Guerre and Rightway Star are others to consider. Nom de Guerre had consistent from over hurdles and should do well over fences for his underrated trainer. Rightway Star won a couple of times over hurdles but is another that was always likely to do better when tackling fences. With runners from the yards of Jonjo O’Neill and Howard Johnson this is a race to watch rather than bet on but it should certainly give pointers to a few future winners.
James Fanshawe does well with his small string of jumpers and I fancy his Kingscape in the handicap hurdle at 3.10. He looks on a decent handicap mark. Cedrus Libani, formerly trained by Howard Johnson but now with the in form Evan Williams looks the danger.
At Towcester my best bet is High Jack who likes the track having won there twice.
Late update; A couple of late suggestions. Balzaccio – Haydock 1.40. Towcester 3.00 - Character Building.
Today’s picture is courtesy of John Thurm
ahorse 