Diary: April 24 2009

Tomorrow is the penultimate day of the jumps season and there is racing from 4 venues in the UK.

One feature of the season has been the number of red hot favourites from the Paul Nicholls yard that have been turned over. Fistral Beach is one such as he has started favourite for each of his 5 races but has been defeated each time with form figures that read 22322. He runs at Chepstow tomorrow evening in the 7.55 and although he has the highest rating and wears first time blinkers I would not want him carrying my money. China Gold was 2^nd to Imperial Cup winner Dave’s Dream two runs ago and could be the one to beat the Paul Nicholls runner.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in action at Perth. All 3 have already justified their place on the list but another win would be welcome nonetheless. Great Approach and Merigo contest the 3.55. After 3 runs in novice chases Great Approach was switched back to hurdles at Bangor where he ran out a 9/1 winner off a mark of 120. He runs over a further 3 furlongs tomorrow but should get the trip OK and the ground will be suitable for him.

Merigo has had a good season winning twice over fences including the Eider Chase at Newcastle and also finishing runner up to Grizebeck, from the same stable as Great Approach, over hurdles at Ayr. In Merigo’s favour is his stamina as he stays extreme distances and he is also very favourably handicapped compared to his chase rating. The one negative is the ground as all his best form has been shown on soft or heavy.

Ballygalley Bob was an 11/1 winner at Warwick two runs ago and was an unlucky faller at Haydock last time. He stays well but is 7 lbs higher than when winning at Warwick.

Sir Michael Stoute has been doing well with his 3 year olds already this season. He saddles the well bred Saptapadi in the 2.00 at Sandown and although only second at Wolverhampton on his only start so far this full brother to Patkai has plenty of scope and could pull off a surprise.

Hidden Brief went into quite a few notebooks after a promising run in a back end maiden at Yarmouth. She has the size and scope to improve at 3 and is my selection for the 3.45.

There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.20 with Jedi and Antinori the two most likely to figure after Khan Tengi has been rather disappointing. Antinori has the benefit of a recent run where he was far from disgraced when runner up at Kempton over a mile. His dam won over 1 mile 6 so the step up in trip tomorrow is sure to suit him and he is a serious contender. I was impressed with the way Jedi won his maiden at Nottingham and he is another that should be suited by the trip.

These would be my two against the field.

The pictures today are by kind permission of the artist Julie Whitwham.