Tomorrow’s racing is very much at the mercy of the weather yet again with inspections taking place up and down the country.
Haydock stages the Blue Square Gold Cup at 3.35 which looks a competitive affair. The first six home in the Welsh National run at Christmas are all in the field and as these include a former winner of this race in Miko de Beauchene as well as last year’s runner up, Coe, this form line looks a good starting point. The Welsh National Winner, Dream Alliance has since gone up 9 lbs in the weights but he likes plenty of cut in the ground and cannot be ruled out. The runner up Silver by Nature has risen 7 lbs and is closely handicapped with Dream Alliance.
The only one of the sextet to run since Chepstow is Le Beau Bai who won over hurdles at Bangor and seems in fine form. He is 5 lbs higher in the weights. Miko de Beauchene is interesting as he has not gone up in the weights but has a 5 lbs claimer on board this time so is in effect a stone better off with Dream Alliance for an 8.75 length defeat. He is also only 1 lb higher than when winning the race 2 years ago, and 3 lbs lighter than when 3rd last season, not including the jockey’s claim. Ballyfitz was 5th at Chepstow and like the 6th horse, Coe has gone down 1 lb. Coe has a good record at Haydock where his form figures over obstacles reads 135122.
We also have both the Aintree Grand National winner Mon Mome, and the Scottish National winner, Hello Bud in the race. Hello Bud is effectively on the same mark as when winning at Ayr if you take account of his jockey’s claim. Mon Mome was 4th to Our Vic in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last month. The extra half mile of this race should suit Mon Mome better than Our Vic I would imagine, Of the rest Snoopy Loopy has been pulled up on 4 of his last 5 starts and seems to have lost his way but L’Aventure, a former winner of the Welsh National and winner of this season’s Borders National at Kelso stays all day and should have conditions to suit.
It is an open race but I have narrowed it down to 4. Coe as he has proven form on the track, Silver By Nature who seems on the upgrade, Le Beau Bai who will love the ground and Miko de Beauchene. Silver By Nature and Coe are my two against the field.
In the Haydock 2.30 the Emma Lavelle pair of Puase and Claise and Bouggler look interesting while Wymott looks value in the 3.00 although Adams Island is respected as well.
In the 1.40 Sereth is interesting over this trip as he was a solid stayer on the flat while in the same race Den of Iniquity returns to hurdles where he is relatively unexposed.
The 4.45 is a trappy contest despite the small field. Ernst Blofeld and Little Josh are my fancies for this although as they both fell last time out stakes would have to be kept to a minimum.
Down at Ascot Finian’s Rainbow looks the likely winner of the 1.40 although his price will be short enough. I am inclined to take on the favourite in the 2.15 where Knockara Beau looks a fair price at around 3/1. Pettifour would be a big danger in this race is he could improve his jumping.
Tasheba has run two excellent races this season and two poor ones. He is my tentative offering in the 2.45 after his second over course and distance recently although he has gone up in the weights as a result.
You could drum up a case for all 6 runners in the 3.15. Planet of Sound looks like starting favourite and he should reverse the form with Albertas Run from their Ascot encounter in November. Herecomesthetruth has never been beaten over fences when completing the course and could be hard to pass if he gets his own way in front. Oh Crick was staying on when a distant third to Twist Magic in the Victor Chandler Chase and is worth considering. Old Monet’s Garden is far from out of it either. With The Sawyer and Herecomesthetruth in the field there should be a decent pace. This is a very tough one to call but Herecomesthetruth is a bold jumper and should give us a run for our money. Oh Crick is also tempting at 8/1.
My selections for the remainder of the card are Menorah (3.45) and Little Josh (4.20).
At Uttoxeter Scriptwriter should give the in form Howard Johnson a winner in the 1.50.
Wincanton looks unlikely to get the go ahead which is a shame as the 2.00 there looks a fascinating little race with Madison De Berlais seeking to give weight to 4 rivals. Gone To Lunch has been out of form of late but would come into the reckoning at his best while Officier De Reserve is a very interesting runner here with Timmy Murphy riding. In the 3.50 Punjabi and Starluck are set to clash in yet another Champion Hurdle trial at 3.50. I am not sure that either of them will really want bottomless ground. Could Qozak pull off a surprise?
I thought about Vodka Brook for the 4.25 but he has unseated in his last two runs and he is on the small side so humping a big weight in heavy ground won’t aid his cause.
I have two selections at Fairyhouse, Alaivan (2.35) and Notre Pere (3.40).
Let’s hope the weather relents and we actually get some racing.
My thanks to Sarah Clegg for today’s photo.
ahorse 