I will start tonight’s preview with the 1.20 at Doncaster which has attracted a small but quite classy field. Tazbar was a talented hurdler that possibly under achieved but he has made a solid start to his career over fences with a couple of wins and a second to the highly rated Long Run. He should act on the prevailing ground and is a leading player. The danger could come from the Nicky Henderson pair of Dave’s Dream and You’re the Top. . Although Dave’s Dream was well beaten at Newbury over Christmas that was on heavy ground and he is likely to be seen to much better effect on a sounder surface. You’re the top opened his account over fences at Kempton in November and is open to plenty of improvement. Tazbar is fancied to come out on top here.
In the 1.55 Character Building has his first outing since winning the Kim Muir at the Festival. He is entered for the Grand National and is being kept to hurdles here to protect his handicap mark. I wouldn’t rule him out tomorrow but the trip will be on the short side for him. Another reverting to hurdles is Calusa Crystal who has been competing in novice chases. She was progressive over hurdles last season winning 4 times. She is best on good ground and given her conditions would not be out of it. She is 5 lbs higher than her last hurdles win.
The classy Mad Max made a winning start to his career over fences at Kempton last month and looks to build on that in the 2.25. He will not have things all his way though with El Dancer an obvious threat. This 6 year old trained by Lucy Wadham was second to Riverside Theatre at Kempton in December. He jumps well and is best on good ground. Woolcombe Folly is another that will appreciate better ground. He missed last season through injury but won 5 times over hurdles the previous season. This is no forgone conclusion but I will stick with Mad Max.
There are a few to consider in the Grade 2 mare’s hurdle at 2.55. The Paul Nicholls runner Pepite de Soleil has been very disappointing this season after running consistently last term. It is certainly too early to write her off. She likes soft ground. Argento Luna is another for the short list. When completing a race, and she has only failed to do so once when brought down, she has only been out of the first 3 twice out of 12 runs. She is best on good ground. For my selection though I am going for Alegralil, a dual bumper winner who has already won both her starts over hurdles.
The 3.25 sees the return to the track of Kalahari King who was only beaten a short head in last season’s Arkle. He faces 14 rivals tomorrow including the Paul Nicholls pair Free World and I’msingingtheblues who must be respected. I have a bit of a fancy for Tartak who didn’t run too badly in the King George and this shorter trip should suit him. Kalahari King is the selection with a small each way saver on Tartak.
There are plenty of solid stayers in the 4 miler at 4.00. Garleton is a horse I have been following with some success but looks to be in the grip the handicapper . Jass won the race last season and although he has gone up in the weights I think he could run well again. He was 5th in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on a track that would not have played to his strengths.
At Sandown Binocular (pictured below) has frightened away the opposition in the 1.30 and will be long odds on and likewise Punchestowns in the 2.35.
The handicap hurdle at 3.10 is a much more competitive affair however. Merrydown is one to consider. He is having his first run of the season but despite wins at Kelso and Newcastle last season does not look on a bad mark. The consistent Strategic Approach has gone up in the weights but could still play a part while Racing Demon ran much better than his finishing position would suggest at Ascot last time and looks well treated.
The 3.40 is another open looking contest. Gone to Lunch ran no sort of race in the Welsh National but he is better than that as he showed last season when runner up in the Scottish National. He had a fine run when 5th in the Hennessy and if we ignore that Chepstow effort he has a chance tomorrow as he stays well and handles most ground. Killyglen was pulled up in the Hennessy at a time when Howard Johnson’s horses were not firing but they are bang in form now and Killyglen is a serious contender based on his form last season especially his win at Aintree in the Mildmay Novices Chase. According to John hasn’t won for over 3 years but has shown signs of a return to form in his last couple of runs, particularly when 3rd in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Exmoor Ranger has been denied a run by abandonments recently but impressed when winning at Newbury in November and looks a progressive sort. These 4 represent my short list from which I will narrow it down to Gone to Lunch and Exmoor Ranger.
In the 4.15 Fred’s Benefit is my each way suggestion. He looks nicely handicapped.
My selections at Wetherby are SA Suffitt (2.20) and Knockara Beau (2.50).
Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Clegg.
Good luck.
ahorse 