The highlights tomorrow are the Welsh National at Chepstow and the Grade 1 Lexus Chase from Leopardstown.
I am going to start at Chepstow where there is a strong line up for the marathon chase. There are two previous winners of the race in Halcon Generlardaias and Miko De Beauchene as well as Cornish Sett who was runner up last year. Also in the field is the 2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome and two Scottish National winners in Hello Bud and Iris De Balme. Kilbeggan Blade has twice won the London National, Gone to Lunch was runner up in the Scottish National last season while Flintoff was second in the 2009 Midlands National. Add in 4 winners last time out and this is clearly a strong renewal.
The conditions are likely to be testing which brings in Silver By Nature who won at Carlisle on heavy ground on his last start. The 3rd that day, Mr Strachan, has since franked the form. Coe has been runner up on both his starts this season. He handles the ground and stays well as he showed when 2nd in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock last season on heavy ground. Old Benny is a past winner of the National Hunt Chase over 4 miles at Cheltenham and finished 4th in the Scottish National in 2008. He has won on heavy ground over hurdles. The ground will probably be too soft for Gone To Lunch who would otherwise have been my selection. Halcon Generlardais has a tremendous record in the race and the ground will suit. He is possibly slightly past his best though.
My 2 against the field though are Kornati Kid and The Tother One. Kornati Kid acts on soft ground, should stay and was 6th behind Denman in the Hennessy at Newbury. Paul Nicholls has a good record in the race and The Tother One, runner up in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton, looks sure to go well. He has a very good record on soft and heavy ground.
There are promising reports about the Paul Nicholls newcomer Sang Bleu in the 2.45.
In the opener at Leicester (12.50) Sandynow could be interesting. He was a gutsy winner at Warwick last time out and will handle the ground.
Jaffonnien won a bumper on his only previous visit to Leopardstown and this two mile specialist can take the opener at the Irish track. He is fitted with a tongue tie for the first time and this 2 mile specialist looks value at 13/2.
A case could be made for Pandorama, Catch Me, Weapons Amnesty, Lenabane and China Rock in the 1.30. It is hard to find fault with Pandorama who should be suited by both the trip and track and he is the selection. The progressive Lie Forritt should prove too strong for the home team in the 2.00.
The Lexus Chase at 2.35 sees a clash between two of the most promising chasers in Ireland, Cooldine and Joncol. Cooldine was an impressive winner of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last March while Joncol took the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown earlier this month. Also in the field is the Welsh National and Guinness Gold Cup winner Notre Pere and there is a strong English challenge with Voy Por Ustedes, Money Trix, Cloudy Lane and What a Friend. It is hard to separate Joncol and Cooldine but my narrow preference is for the latter with Ruby Walsh on board. Cloudy Lane at 20/1 looks each way value.
My best bet at Limerick is Hugo De Vindecy in the 1.45.
Today’s pictures are of Silver Birch, former winner of the Welsh National (artist Sarah Clegg) and Beef or Salmon three times winner of the Lexus Chase (artist Jenny Lupton).
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