The racing schedule tomorrow will be a lot busier than usual for a Wednesday with action from the headquarters of both codes.
Starting with Cheltenham and the 2.10 there are a couple of runners on retrieval missions. Balzaccio made a good start to his career in the UK after coming over from France winning at Haydock before finishing 4th to Starluck at Kempton over Christmas. He made no show in the Fred Winter at the Festival but if back to his best would figure in this. He has a bit to find on the official ratings with the David Pipe runner Torpichen, twice a winner over hurdles before finishing 9th to Go Native in the Supreme Novices. That form probably sets the standard here and he is my selection.
The 2.45 looks a tricky puzzle to solve. Seymar Lad is a fragile sort but started this season in fine style with a win at Chepstow but failed to reproduce that form on his two subsequent runs. He is probably best fresh and he should benefit from his break as he last ran at the end of December. He runs off a mark of 121 now which is 6 lbs higher than his best winning mark. He likes genuine good ground so will most probably be suited by conditions. He jumps well and is one for the shortlist. At the other end of the handicap Trigger the Light is worth considering. He won both his races last season but has found things tougher this time around. He was however a strong finishing runner up at Sandown on his latest start and is probably capable of winning off his current mark. Island Flyer was one of my main fancies for the John Smith’s handicap chase at Aintree but he was pulled up. If he could recover the form that saw him narrowly beaten in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton earlier in the season he would go close. Trigger the Light has often been let down by his jumping but if he can put in a reasonably error free round I would fancy his chance and he is the somewhat tentative selection.
If the 2.45 was tricky the handicap hurdle at 3.20 doesn’t look much easier! Nicky Henderson saddles the two top weights in Dave’s Dream, the winner of the Imperial Cup, and The Polomoche. Dave’s Dream ran better than his finishing position of 6th indicates behind American Trilogy at Cheltenham last time out but he is now running off a much higher mark. The Polomoche was a beaten favourite when he could only finish 10th in the Coral Cup and was subsequently pulled up at Aintree where perhaps something was amiss. He is a horse I have always liked and whilst I wouldn’t rule him out he does have something to prove after his last two runs.
Naiad du Misselot has not done as well as expected over fences this season and reverts to hurdles here off a mark 6 lbs higher than when winning the Coral Cup in 2008. Trainer Ferdy Murphy traditionally does well at this time of year and Naiad du Misselot might find life a little easier over the smaller obstacles and gets the selection. At a big price Callisto Moon could be an interesting outsider. He has been given a chance by the handicapper and could run well especially if the ground is on the fast side.
Ouzbeck has let me down a few times this season but with first time blinkers and the ground in his favour I will give him another chance in the 3.55.
I have tipped Quaddick Lake successfully on his last two runs and I will stick with this progressive sort in the 4.30. The Paul Nicholls trained Picture This is another I like in this race. He was an expensive purchase and makes his handicap bow tomorrow.
Lodge Lane was runner up to Russian Around at Lingfield and the winner has since gone in again to frank the form. The Victor Dartnall runner can regain the winning thread in the 5.05. Buck the Legend looks the danger.
The flat season steps up a gear tomorrow with the Craven meeting at Newmarket. In the opener at 1.50 Henry Cecil introduces the newcomer Native Ruler who is out of an Oaks winner and holds a Derby entry.
There are three that I considered for the 3.00. Classically was gaining g on the front pair approaching the line when 3rd on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster and that run should bring him on as he didn’t look fully would up in the paddock. He is certainly a contender. Nehaam won his only race as a juvenile. That was over 7 furlongs in a Newmarket maiden and he is bred to appreciate the extra distance tomorrow. Sumbe was 6th here on his only run last season and that race has worked out particularly well.
In search of some value in the 3.35 I looked at Courageous and Rose Diamond. The former, trained by Bryan Smart was 5th behind Crowded House in the Racing Post Trophy last season and has the stamina to see out this 7 furlongs well as he should stay further. He would not want really fast ground. Rose Diamond acquitted herself well last season and although she may need the run she does look quite well handicapped.
Fantasia sets the standard in the Nell Gwynne Stakes at 4.10 and is my selection with the Mick Channon filly Dunes Queen the main danger.
On Our Way didn’t do much wrong last season and was placed on all of his 5 starts winning twice. He seems to handle any ground and is my suggestion in the 4.45.
I have a short list of 3 for the 5.20. Espititu looked arther green in both his races last season but is a talented sort and his 4th behind Kite Wood at Doncaster last September reads well. Formula finished runner up on his latest two starts, both on the all weather at Lingfield but is well regarded by connections and could be a fair bit better than the bare form suggests. Invisible Man was a beaten odds on favourite at Great Leighs on his debut but is a half brother to 5 winners and clearly well thought of at home. If pushed to nominate one I would narrowly favour Espiritu.
Dark Mischief is a lightly raced 3 year old and looks quite well handicapped in the 5.55.
Down at Kempton Antinori ran well in maidens last season and should go close in the 7.20. Whatever he does here over a mile he is worth keeping an eye on as the season unfolds as he is bred to stay further.
Dancer in Demand, Favours Brave and Khan Tengri all have chances in the 8.20. At the odds I will narrowly go for Favours Brave who comes from a stable in form.
I don’t have much to saya bout the Beverley card. Perhaps More than Many each way in the 4.55.
Today’s pictures are by kind permission of the artist Lisa Miller.
Good luck.
ahorse 