There isn’t a lot to say about tomorrow’s racing.
There are a trio of under achievers in the 4.10 at Catterick. Chief Dan George was a useful hurdler but is yet to get off the mark over fences in 3 attempts. In fact he hasn’t won anything since getting the better of Wichita Lineman and Imperial Commander over hurdles at Aintree. That was on good ground so maybe the improving conditions will help him. Great Approach has disappointed over fences in his 2 starts but did win over hurdles at Catterick. Master Builder was a distant 3rd at Ayr last time out but has run well on sharp tracks before.
Chief Dan George looks sure to go off favourite but I am going to take a chance that Great Approach will have learned from his first couple of runs over fences and that we will see some improvement from him.
At Leicester in the 2.20 Song of Songs looks the answer. I was impressed with his 3rd at Newbury behind Planet of Sound where he travelled and jumped well.
Rightway Star, Jaunty Flight and Backbord represent my list to follow in the Leicester 3.50. Backbord isn’t the most consistent but when things drop right for him he is capable enough as he showed when winning at Fakenham in November. He was pulled up on his last start over hurdles at Southwell but is out again quickly and the stable are in good form. Jaunty Flight disappointed over a shorter trip last week but she looked good when winning at Newbury before that. Rightway Star was a winner at Haydock on good ground in November and there may have been excuses for his subsequent defeat as he was reported to have bled.
Lightning Strike is the obvious danger but he didn’t jump too fluently on his latest start and I will go with Jaunty Flight to regain winning ways.
Continuing the Cheltenham theme with my illustrations today’s picture, courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn, is of Kauto Star.
ahorse 