The main meeting tomorrow is at Cheltenham where I am hoping that Spirit River can get me off to a winning start in the handicap hurdle at 12.40 Spirit River. A winner over hurdles in France he has the look of a chaser and I am sure that his future in the longer will be over fences. He showed enough promise when finishing well on his UK hurdles debut at Newbury to suggest he can give a good account of himself here where the track should suit him.
Time For Rupert had an impossible task when well beaten at Ascot last time but he is clearly well thought of by connections and the longer trip in the 3.00 tomorrow should play to his strengths.
Alan King picked out Lidar as his horse to follow in a pre season interview and with the stable starting to pick up he could represent a bit of value against a Paul Nicholls “sure thing.”
There is an early start up at Doncaster where the action gets under way at 11.50. Madame Mado Menorah and Bobby Ewing all look good prospects. Madame Mado is a half sister to the ill fated chaser Le Volfoni and clearly has talent if not the durability of the ex Paul Nicholls trained horse. Madame Mado is respected but I just favour Menorah who has the benefit of a recent run.
In the 12.50 Noble Alan should get his preferred underfoot conditions and should be difficult to beat. Mill Side is a sound jumper suited by decent ground and looks each way value in the 2.35.
My selections at Gowran Park are Alaivan (12.10) and Luska Lad (1.10).
Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.
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