It was good to see Monet’s Garden in the Peterborough Chase, especially as I had tipped him! He put in some super leaps and of course had the ground he likes. Snoopy Loopy ran a gallant race in defeat and our old friend Mister McGoldrick ran another cracker in third.
The main attraction over the next couple of days is the Cheltenham meeting and I will start my preview of Friday’s action there.
In the opener at 12.10 Ballyfitz is likely to be a warm order following a couple of course wins. He beat Big Fella Thanks last time out and that horse hardly franked the form today. I would be inclined to look at a couple of others. Rightway Star comes from a stable in form and won last time out at Haydock. I wouldn’t rule him out here but for my selection I am going for Tot O’Whiskey who has been running and jumping consistently and has the stamina for the stiff Cheltenham finish.
There are two runners from my list to follow in the 12.45, Diablo and Openditch. The latter travels well in his races and looks the type to make a chaser in time. Diablo has disappointed on his last couple of starts and I will pass him over. With the Pipe team showing signs of improved form Openditch is the selection.
Character Building was 3rd to Denman in the Hennessey last season and has since won over hurdles. I would give him a sound chance in the 1.55 tomorrow. Another that could run well is the lightly raced Trigger the Light as long as he is none the worse for his heavy fall in the Badger Ales chase at Wincanton.
In the 2.30 Very Cool represents our list to follow. He was running well in the Southern National at Fontwell when badly hampered. He is well handicapped and is not without a chance.
Ruby Walsh begins his comeback tomorrow in the 3.40 aboard Mahonia. A winner at Exeter in November Mahonia should follow up here.
Crop Walker and Honest John are the two runners from my list to follow in the 1.10 at Doncaster and both have good chances. Honest John was a smart bumper performer and put up a fair effort when 3rd on his hurdles debut at Aintree. He should be all the better for that run. Crop Walker, trained by Kate Walton is a grand type who also shaped well in bumpers. He went on to finish runner up on his hurdles bow, not beaten far and with the rest of the field well beaten.
The 1.45 looks to be between I’msingingtheblues and Calgary Bay. The former has chasing experience and should come out on top with ground conditions also in his favour.
In the 12.00 my selection is Laterly who was 2nd on his hurdles debut at Fakenham. He was a winner 3 times on the flat including twice at 12 furlongs.
Today’s picture is by kind permission of the artist Jo Stockdale. See links for more examples of this artists work.
Bye for now.
ahorse 