Of the 8 selections given in last night’s preview we had 5 winners and a couple of seconds. The winners included Time for Rupert at 16/1, Mill Side at 11/2 and Spirit River at 11/4.
There is some exciting racing scheduled for tomorrow particularly at Cheltenham where the main event is the Boylesports Gold Cup at 2.25. Trainers Nicholls and Henderson could hardly be in better form and they are responsible for my two main fancies in the 12.45. Inchidaly Rock is the Nicholls runner. Unbeaten in three Irish points he had useful form over hurdles lasts season winning at Exeter and Taunton before going down by a head to Time For Rupert (see above) at Aintree. He got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking at Exeter beating Hey Big Spender who has won since. Zemsky, trained by Nicky Henderson, has a similar profile. A dual point to point winner, he won over hurdles at Plumpton and Perth. He finished runner up to Awsome George on his chase bow at Ascot over a trip that did not make best use of his stamina. These two both look nice prospects and their experience in the point to point field will stand them in good stead. Choosing between them is difficult, made more so by the fact that Zemsky is getting 5 lbs from his rival. Despite that I will side with the Paul Nicholls runner. But only just.
SA Suffitt was an impressive winner at Haydock last month and with his stable in excellent form he should go well in the 1.15. A bit of a dark horse in this is Fred’s Benefit, and ex Irish gelding now with David Pipe. He is having his first run of the season but goes very well fresh and could run well at a big price.
Poquelin was runner up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month and off a mark only 1 lb higher he has to be a major contender for the big race at 2.25 over course and distance. The form of that run has been franked since as the 4th has won over hurdles and Our Vic, who was 6th has also since won. There are two others I quite like. Chapoturgeon, the other Paul Nicholls runner, was a faller in the Paddy Power but was a winner at the Festival over course and distance last season and should give his supporters a run for their money. Lastly, I wouldn’t rule out Atouchbetweenacara, another course and distance winner who is having his first run for trainer Tim Vaughan.
Celestial Halo looks a very short price in the 3.05 and I prefer to take a chance with Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi (pictured above). I also think that Medermit, who shouldered a big weight when 3rd in the Greatwood Hurdle could get in the shake up. Zaynar is hard to oppose in the 3.40 after his impressive victory at Ascot last month. We know he handles Cheltenham having won the Triumph Hurdle there last season and he should extend his winning sequence, possibly at the expense of northern challenger Cape Tribulation.
At Doncaster there are a couple of interesting ex flat horses making their hurdles debut. Successful handicapper Dhaular Dhar runs in the 12.00 while the classy Cesare takes his chance in the 1.00. Neither has guaranteed stamina and both are best watched for the moment. Full Speed is a winner over 10 furlongs on the flat and he could be the one to give Cesare most to think about.
Cockney Trucker fell at the 3rd fence on his chase debut at Ascot but he has since ran well enough over hurdles and is worth another chance back over fences in the 1.35. Dolessthanme, 3 times a winner over hurdles was 2nd on his first try over fences at Carlisle and looks the main danger.
Wessex King ran consistently over hurdles last season and at around 12/1 looks fair value in the 2.45. That’s Rhythm is going the right way judged on his win at Bangor and he is my selection in the 3.20.
I am going for a couple of outsiders at Lingfield with High Jack (12.55) and Bench Warrant (2.00). At Fairyhouse my main hope is Clan Tara in the 2.15. This 7 year old was only beaten a head by Pandorama at Punchestown in October and that horse has since won a Grade 1 chase.
The photo of Punjabi is by kind permission of Kate Tann.
Be lucky!
ahorse 