It would have been nice to have ended the decade with a winner but sadly my 3 selections yesterday were all disappointing.
The cold weather continues to disrupt the national hunt racing programme but hopefully the meetings at Cheltenham and Exeter will beat the freeze.
At Cheltenham there is a tricky looking handicap chase at5 1.05 where Sue Smith sends down 3 runners. Turpin Green has his second run for the stable and is very well handicapped on the pick of his form. He was 3rd to Kauto Star in the 2007 Gold Cup and now runs off a mark of 145. He is an inconsistent sort but ran well enough on his seasonal reappearance ay Haydock in November when 4th to Shining Gale. If the change of scenery has brought him back to anything like his best he would be well in here but he has always been inconsistent and is not one to rely on. Mr Strachan might be a safer bet. He missed most of last season but has come back well. After finishing 3rd behind subsequent Welsh National runner up Silver by Nature he won at Hexham on heavy ground. He generally jumps well, is in form and acts on the ground. Jass is going to land a decent handicap at some stage I am sure. He has plenty of stamina and might even want a stiffer test . Double Dizzy will act on the ground and ran well last time when 5th in the cross country race at Cheltenham. The stable have been in good form of late which is another plus. My two against the field would be Mr Strachan and Double Dizzy.
Punchestowns looks an exciting prospect over fences and takes a step up in class in the 1.40. He looks the most likely winner but the opposition are no mugs and he will probably be a short price. A race to watch rather than bet on perhaps as taking short prices in novice chases is probably only going to lead to penury!
The 2.10 is another competitive handicap chase where Razor Royale and Chapoturgeon, 2nd and 4th respectively in the Boylesports Gold Cup would have to be on the short list. Private Be, runner up at Chepstow over Christmas and Newbury winner Exmoor Ranger are others to consider. Chapoturgeon is the selection.
In the 2.45 course and distance winner Time for Rupert can defy top weight while I expect Mr Thriller to get the better of Katchit and Sentry Duty in the 3.20.
I have two selections at Exeter, in the 12.50 Wishfull Thinking and in the 3.35 Tocca Ferro.
Finally I would like to wish you all a prosperous 2010 and thank you for taking time to read these pages during 2009.
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn.
ahorse 