Paul Nicholls continues to dominate the jumps scene and looks set to enjoy further success at the Cheltenham Open meeting. The stable won the 1.50 last season with I’msingingtheblues and this term are represented by the grey American Trilogy who made such a good impression when winning at Aintree. David Pipe opposes with the much more experiences Leo’s Lucky Star, a winner of 4 races over hurdles, while Alan King runs the mare Over Sixty, who trounced a previous winner at Southwell last month. With Paul Nicholls in such great form American Trilogy is the selection.
The Enda Bolger pair of L’Ami and Garde Champetre are hard to oppose in the cross country chase at 3.00. The trainer specializes in these unique races and his Spot the Difference, now retired, won the last 4 renewals. L’Ami has loads of impressive form over fences. He was 2nd in a Hennessey and gave Kauto Star a fright in an AON Chase. He jumps well, stays, has a touch of class and comes here on the back of a point to point success. Add to all that the fact that JT McNamara, his jockey, rode Spot the Difference for his wins and L’Ami clearly ticks an awful lot of boxes. Garde Champetre won this event at the Cheltenham Festival and looked to take a real liking for these obstacles. He is another win a touch of class as he once won over hurdles at Aintree taking the notable scalps of Monet’s Garden and Inglis Drever. Of the rest Hoo La Baloo and Puntal make the most appeal as likely to be in the first 5 or 6.
The two I like in the conditional jockey’s handicap hurdles at 3.35 are Andytown and Lordsbridge. Lordsbridge caught my eye when making late headway into 4th place over course and distance on his last start while Andytown looks to be on a favourable handicap mark.
Razor Royale was travelling nicely upsides the eventual winner when falling two out on his last run. He is worth another chance in the 4.05.
I have solid Silver in my notebook as a horse likely to come good at some stage this season. He is a half brother to a couple of useful hurdlers. He runs tomorrow in the 12.30at Newcastle but I am not going to tip him as I have a feeling he will need more of a test of stamina.
The 1.00 looks to be between Kealshore Boy, Lease Lend and Raysrock. When trained by George Moore Kealshore Boy won bumpers at Kelso and Newcastle before finishing 2nd in a bumper at Aintree in a race where Lease End was 3rd. He was then purchase by Howard Johnson to run in the colours of Graham and Andrea Wylie. After falling on his hurdles debut at Carlisle he had a few problems although he did win once over hurdles, in January at Newcastle. His visits to Tyneside have been productive so far and there is every chance that he will take to fences. With the added bonus of AP McCoy in the saddle he must be on any short list. Raysrock and Lease End finished 3rd and 4th respectively in a novice chase at Carlisle last month and lease End has run since, running a creditable second at Wetherby. It is difficult to split Raysrock and Lease End but if pushed for a selection I would narrowly favour Raysrock.
In the 1.30 River Shankhill, a leading mare in Irish point to points, will be a warm order , while in the 3.10 Orang Outan looks on a reasonable mark.
Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett.
Bye for now
ahorse 