There were a few Cheltenham Festival pointers at Leopardstown this afternoon. Neptune Collonges won the Irish Hennessy beating the Welsh National winner Notre Pere to enhance his Gold Cup claims.
Cooldine outstayed Forpadytheplasterer in the PJ Moriaty Chase. Both have festival aspirations, although probably in different races. Cousin Vinny was probably an unlucky loser in the Deloitte Hurdle, but the winner Pandorama is a horse with immense potential in his own right.
There is racing at Carlisle and Market Rasen tomorrow.
Auroras Encore fell at Doncaster last time but had jumped well before that at Sedgefield and is worth another chance in the Carlisle 4.00. Huka Lodge was 3rd behind Coe at Haydock on his last start which was a fair effort. He has gone up a couple of pounds for that but the 4.30 at Carlisle tomorrow is a much weaker race, he handles the ground and looks a fair bet. Super Road Train has been dropped in the weights but probably needs better ground.
Charingworth didn’t shape too badly when 3rd at Towcester last month. That was over 2 miles and the extra distance of the 2.35 at Market Rasen tomorrow should be in his favour. If he handles the testing conditions he could go well.
Squadron was in good form at the start of the season but then went off the boil. He has been given a nice break and has a good chance in the 4.20. The other one I like in this race is Carrickboy, a comfortable winner at Taunton recently.
Catch Me will be hard to beat in the 2.45 at Navan tomorrow. Oscar Rebel is a horse I like but he has a fair bit to do in this company.
My thanks to Jane Ince for the picture of Carlisle racecourse (top) and to David Hebb for his photo of Market Rasen.
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