We are into the hunter chase season now and while it is not exactly my strong suit it does see the return of some old jumping stars from a few years back. The Ffos Las 4.55 is a case in point. The likely favourite is Fundamentalist, a Cheltenham Festival winner way back in 2004 when he beat the late great Inglis Drever. Also in the race is Take the Stand who was runner up to Kicking King in the 2005 Gold Cup. Crystal D’Ainay, a former winner of the Cleeve Hurdle, and Lord of Illusion and Bannow Strand who both competed at a high level over fences are other golden oldies in the race. The experts seem to fancy Fundamentalist tomorrow.
In the 3.45 Alan King looks to have a good chance of gaining his first winner at the new Welsh track with Miss Overdrive. She has already been runner up twice this season and makes her handicap bow here wearing cheekpieces for the first time. Another to consider in this race is Tara Taylor who looks on a reasonable mark although the form of the stable would be a bit of a concern.
In the 4.20 Viking Rebel is worth noting. He clearly needed the run when a tiring 3rd behind Mighty Man 3 weeks ago at Huntingdon. A former winning pointer he was also successful at both Ayr and Newcastle over hurdles a couple of years back when trained by Nicky Richards.
Finally at Ffos Las I would give War Footing an each way chance in the 3.10 He was travelling well at Towcester last time until falling at the 14th fence.
The main interest at Kelso will be the appearance of hurdling start Zaynar in the 3.20 where he will be long odds on. My best bet at the Borders track though is Hollins, a course and distance winner, in the opener at 1.10.
I have two selections at Clonmel, Quiscover Fontaine in the 4.00 and The Midnight Club in the 4.35.
Today’s picture, of Gold Cup hero Kicking King, is courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.
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