I am going to start tonight’s preview at Ascot where the card kicks off with a handicap hurdle at 1.05. Serabad is worthy of consideration despite the fact that he has gone up 9 lbs since his win at Aintree in November. He gets on well with tomorrow’s pilot Paddy Brennan and he is one for the short list. Lough Derg is only 2 lbs higher than when winning this race last season. He comes into the race in good form having won at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in gutsy fashion and he is another worth a close look. Of the rest I like Working Title who should appreciate both the ground and the trip and Lead On. Lough Derg gets the selection with Lead On perhaps worth a few coins each way.
The 1.40 looks to be between Free World and Calgary Bay. I have been a fan of Calgary Bay ever since IO saw him on his debut in a Ludlow bumper. I was going to tip him but Paul Nicholls is so bullish about the chances of Free World that I am going to give him the selection.
Master Minded (pictured below) is
is
impossible to oppose in the 2.15 but will be long odds on. In the 3.25 I am going for a bit of an outsider in the mare Miss Mitch. A decent hurdler she has taken some time to get the hang of fences but posted her best effort to date behind Gwanako over course and distance before Christmas.
Henrietta Knight has struggled a bit since the heady days of Best Mate, Edredon Bleu and Impek but has a couple of promising sorts in her yard now. I have already mentioned Calgary Bay, and another interesting prospect is Somersby. He won a novice hurdle at Kempton in taking fashion in November and although chasing will be his ultimate aim he should continue to run well over hurdles. He goes in the 3.55 tomorrow and at 10/1 looks to have an each way chance.
At Haydock Snap Tie would be my first choice in the Champion Hurdle Trial at 1.20. The ground may not be to his liking though and he probably wouldn’t run in testing conditions. With Charlie Longsden’s horses finding some form Songe could be interesting. He was 4th in the Triumph last season and ran well in a big handicap at Ascot on his latest start.
In the Peter Marsh handicap at 1.55 I am going for one at either end of the weights. Top weight Cloudy Lane has won 4 times at Haydock and is creeping down the ratings. Kandjar D’Allier runs off a featherweight and is a dual course and distance winner. Both jump and stay well and should give us a run for our money.
Mahonia was a little disappointing on his last run but that was Ruby Walsh’s first ride back after having a splenectomy which might have been a factor; Mahonia was fancied for the Tolworth which fell victim to the weather and he has been re-routed to the 2.25. He should go well. Son of Flicka is the other runner from my list to follow in this race but he has quite a bit to find with some of his rivals on official ratings.
In the 3.00 4 of the 8 runners are from my list to follow but may have to give best to Massini’s Maguire who looks a big threat. Looking at the runners from my list Tartak was 3rd to Calgary Bay at Cheltenham and it will be interesting to see if that horse franks the form earlier in the afternoon. Naiad de Misselot has been a big disappointment over fences so far but If he were to find the same level of form that he showed over hurdles last season he would be a contender. I am going to take a chance on a couple of recent winners each way in this. Wind Instrument and Auroras Encore. Massini’s Maguire will be difficult to beat though.
Sue Smith saddles 3 in the 3.35 and I have a feeling that Coe could be the best of them. At 8/1 he gets my each way selection. Another that could go well at a fair price is Iwillrememberyou.
I am going to stick with the same trainer in the 4.10. Cloudy Times, a dual bumper winner showed plenty of promise on his hurdles bow when runner up over course and distance and he is the selection.
I am going to try a couple of outsiders in the 2.05 at Wincanton. James Fanshhawe doesn’t run that many over the jumps but when he does they are worth noting. He has booked a useful claimer on his 6 year old Kingscape tomorrow. The well bred Sangfroid comes from a stable that is running into some better form and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him leave the form of some of his recent runs behind.
In the 3.10 Lordsbridge and Vodka Brook represent my list to follow. The former has been expensive to follow this season and I am going to give him a chance by not tipping him! Vodka Brook perhaps has a bit of a squeak but I don’t have enough confidence to tip him.
Nicto de Beauchene was a winner over course and distance last time out. This was an improved display and I am going to stick with this full brother to a Welsh National winner in the 3.45.
At Naas I fancy Shirley Casper in the 1.00 with Limestone Cowboy the danger while in the 1.30 Cousin Vinny looks to have a winning opportunity.
Today’s pictures are by courtesy of Kate Tann.
I hope you find some winners.
ahorse 