The jumps season always reaches something of a hiatus around now, in between the big meetings at Cheltenham and Aintree.
There are interesting cards at Haydock and Newbury though as well as meetings at Bangor and Stratford.
I will start up at Haydock where there is a fascinating “fixed brush” handicap hurdle at 3.45. The Philip Hobbs trained Prince Taime is likely to be popular for this. He looks a bit of an edgy character but he has some decent form, not least his last run when 3rd in the Imperial Cup at Sandown a fortnight ago. He has gone up 3 lbs for that run but has a top conditional in the plate taking off 5 lbs. He tackles 20 furlongs for the first time but has given the impression he will get the trip. He has the ground in his favour and as he is likely to go chasing next season the stiffer hurdles shouldn’t present a problem. He has plenty of positives and it is really a matter of whether a price of around 15/8 represents value.
Three worth considering at bigger prices are Mister McGoldrick, Otage de Brion and Rightway Star. Mister McGoldrick has had some impossible tasks over fences recently and may well appreciate this return to the smaller obstacles. He hasn’t won for a while though and it is possible that age may be catching up with the old warrior. Otage de Brion has been a bit disappointing over fences and reverts to the smaller obstacles. He will like the ground and Noel Fehily has been booked to ride. Rightway Star won a novice chase at Haydock in November and could be a live outsider. Prince Taime has to be the selection with an each way saver on Otage de Brion.
Daldini has done this column some favours this season. He runs in the Haydock 3.15 tomorrow and is certainly in fine form. He will need a career best if he is going to win as he has gone up in the weights and the ground may not be soft enough for him. Not without a chance but it is possible that the handicapper has caught up with him.
The runners in the 4.55 look closely matched. I tipped Or D’Oudairies when he won at Bangor last time and I will stick with him.
At Newbury there is a competitive chase handicap at 2.20. Cava Bien is unexposed and comes here in form having won at Taunton. He needs to improve again to take a hand here but may have more scope than some of his rivals. Alderburn could be over priced on ground that suits him.
I had Jaunty Flight in mind for the 2.50 but she needs plenty of cut in the ground which she seems unlikely to get.
I have a short list of 4 in the 3.30. Ravello Bay, Argento Luna, Carole’s legacy and Dancingwithbubbles all make plenty of appeal. Argento Luna is very consistent and will handle the drying ground. She looks as good as anything with the main danger perhaps coming from Ravello Bay.
It has often paid to side with Nicky Henderson’s runners this season and I will go with his Riverside Theatre in the 4.05. I thought he won well at Kempton in January.
Raysrock won for my list to follow in rather bizarre fashion on his latest start when he was the only finisher. I am not going to get too carried away with his chance in the 4.40 but now he has won a race he may be able to build on that success.
At Bangor Nirvana Swing has shown a few promising signs in his recent runs and may be about to hit form. He has possibilities in the 3.55 as has the lightly raced Money Order.
Other runners from my list to follow are; Calusa Caldera (Bangor 3.20), Great Approach (Bangor 4.30) and Bid Art (Stratford 4.00).
In the 2.35 at Lingfield Elnawin could be the answer. The trip of 7 furlongs looks about right for his and he has shown he can handle the surface with a win at Kempton.
The Gowran Park card looks pretty tricky. Two that I thought about were Uimhiraceathair (2.30) and Smoking Aces (3.35).
Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn (see links).
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