It was a bleak mid winter day for my horses to follow list today with only Master Medic, (pictured below) not for the first time, coming to the rescue.
In the hope that things can only get better let’s have a look at the racing on offer tomorrow, starting at Ascot.
Gwanako and Miss Mitch are the two from my list in the 12.30. Although he had won the Topham over the National fences last season Gwanako was an early casualty in the Becher Chase on his last outing and I am always a bit loathe to tip a faller last time out. I also note that Paul Nicholls has not been very bullish about the horse’s prospects today. If he puts in a clear round he would be in with a chance but the 11/8 on offer does not look value. Miss Mitch returns to fences having not really taken to them last season. She was a good mare over hurdles but I think you would have to take a watching brief tomorrow to see if her jumping stands up. Of the rest My Petra has an obvious chance although the soft ground would be a concern while Penzance is a bit hard to win with and seems to have something to find with some of his rivals at the weights.
The 1.05 sees the return of Trabolgan, th winner of the Royal and Sun Alliance and the Hennessey in 2005 and now back after a long spell on the sidelines with an injury. It is not a race I would bet on as Trabolgan will have to prove that he is back to his best and there is clearly no way of knowing that. A number of his rivals are capable enough of winning this sort of race on a good day with Faasel, Alderburn, Monkerhostin and Oedipe springing to mind. A race to watch but if you have to have a bet Alderburn would be my choice if the ground is not too soft.
The 1.40 is the Boylesports International rerouted from the Cheltenham meeting last week that was abandoned. Although there are only 5 runners it is a real quality line up with each of the quintet having a chance. Last week, when the race was due to be run at Cheltenham on very testing ground I was less inclined to favour speed horse Binocular (pictured below) and more keen on the chances of Cheltenham specialist Katchit. In some ways my feelings about the chances of those two horses has now swung the other way. Binocular has to be my selection but the price of around 11/10 is clearly short enough.
The Long Walk hurdle at 2.10 is a mouth watering prospect and will take some winning. I have a short list of 4 for this. Serabad is a very consistent sort and showed his well being when winning at Aintree last month. He has plenty to finmd with some of these but could just run well at a really big price. Pettifour was 3rd behind Duc de Regniere at the end of November at Newbury in a race that was not run to suit him. Given a stronger gallop tomorrow he could get a lot closer to his Newbury conqueror and at 7/1 he looks over priced. The Nicky Henderson pair of Duc de Regniere (pictured below) and Punchestowns have outstanding claims. Duc de Regniere surprised a few people, possibly even his trainer when winning at Newbury. He has plenty of pace and if in contention coming to the last would take all the beating. Punchestowns put up a most impressive display when accounting for subsequent winner Ballydub last time out and looks a very exciting prospect. For my selection I will go for Punchestowns with an each way saver on Pettifour.
David Pipe has had 2 winners from his last 30 runners which puts me off selecting top weight Ashkazar(pictured below) in the 2.45 and the same goes for the other Pond House runner Mamlook. I think that the Paul Nicholls runner Five Dream may be too high in the weights while the same can perhaps be said of Alan King’s consistent Squadron. Aigle D’or did little wrong when just touches off by Numide at Cheltenham last time out and he looks to be the one they all have to beat. Noble Alan, Sky Hall and Prince Taime make some appeal on an each way basis.
The Paul Nicholls trained Red Harbour is my selection in the closing bumper at 3.45.
Sue Smith’s Cloudy Times has useful bumper form and is one to watch on his hurdling debut in the Haydock 12.50. Solid Silver could run well at a big price in this race especially if the ground is riding on the testing side.
Arkle prospect Kalahari King looks set to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the 2.00.
The 2.35 looks very competitive. Middleton Dene was 4th to Duc de Regniere at Kempton in mid November and that form has certainly been given a boost since. Helen’s Vision was a brave winner at Newbury while a case could be made for both Theatre Girl and United. For my selection I am going for Tazbar on the basis of his form over hurdles last season although a couple of very ordinary runs on the flat recently have dented my confidence a little.
Beggar’s Cap gave my list to follow a 10/1 winner at Musselburgh and such was the manner of his victory that I am inclined to stick with him in the 3.40. He has won on soft ground but 3 of his 4 career wins have been on good to firm so very soft ground might be a concern.
According to Pete has made an excellent start to his chasing career for trainer Malcolm Jefferson and he should win again in the Newcastle 2.20.
Later on the Newcastle card Nirvana Swing and Open se L’Isle represent my list to follow in the 3.25. Open de L’Isle should strip fitter for a recent run over hurdles. He is a tough genuine sort and is not without an each way chance. Nirvana Swing has yet to find his form his season but he is a good jumper and does not look unfairly treated off a mark of 125.
Today’s photos are by courtesy of Tracy Roberts (Turfpix). See my link to the Turfpix site.
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