I have highlighted quite a few winners in these pages this week, albeit at skinny prices in the main. One that I missed was Kitski who is on my list to follow and won at 11/1 but I didn’t give him a mention last night. He was given a super ride by Graham Lee. With that win in the bag it might be worth taking special note of Ferdy Murphy’s runners now as the trainer often hits a good run of form in the spring.
Elsewhere today the grey Pasco, bred in Switzerland, and there can’t be many Swiss bred steeplechasers about, put in an enthusiastic round of jumping to justify favouritism. A flat track seems to suit him.
Talking of Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee they have an interesting runner up at Musselburgh tomorrow in Noir et Vert. The key to this horse is the ground as all his career wins have come on good or good to firm. He looks to be in with a live chance in the 3.45. Another that will probably appreciate the ground is Striking Article in the 2.35. His jumping has been a bit patchy this season but he runs here in preference to an engagement in Graded company on Saturday and that is perhaps a hint in itself.
The other runner from my list to follow in action at the Scottish track is Pakineo Des Pictons in the 2.00, another Ferdy Murphy runner again partnered by Graham Lee. A winner of a Hexham bumper last season this 6 year old has had a disappointing campaign and is probably best watched for the time being.
There is an interesting novice chase at Sandown (3.20). Doctor David has some very solid form. He was a decent hurdler last season beating Planet of Sound in a handicap at Haydock. His chase form stands up to scrutiny as well as he beat subsequent winner Kalahari King at Haydock and then finished a creditable second to I’msingingtheblues on his last start. I prefer him to Free World who disappointed at Ascot recently. The two outsiders Cornas and Gauvain could well run better than their odds suggest.
Nicto de Beauchene has already done his job for my list to follow with a win at 14/1. He runs in the 4.30 He is not without a chance but I am reluctant to advise him each way in a field of 7 runners.
In the bumper at 5.05 Prior’s Glen could well be the answer. Trained by Emma Lavelle he was only beaten a head at Newbury at the end of December and should have learned a lot from that run.
Emma Lavelle also has a fancied runner in the 1.50 at Warwick with Vagrant Emperor who was second to the highly rated Bensalem at Leicester on his hurdles debut.
With the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner I intend to feature some past festival heroes over the next couple of weeks. Pictured below, courtesy of Kate Tann, is the former Triumph Hurdle winner Penzance, who was recently retired.
If you are looking for some Cheltenham pointers you could do a lot worse than invest in an excellent little book by one of my favourite racing pundits, John Morris. Follow the link below for details.
The two paintings featured today are by kind permission of the artist Katy Sodeau.
ahorse 