Month: December 2010

 

The big race tomorrow is the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon. Master Medic is something of a favourite of mine. He has changed stables having previously been with the Alners and this is his first run for his new yard. He has been off the course for a year but goes well fresh, is a course and distance winner and will handle the ground. He looks over priced at 16/1. The other one I like is the progressive and talented Riverside Theatre. A fast finishing 5^th in the Arkle he was an easy winner at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance last month.

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau

Lush Life gave us a winner at 8/1 (12s were on offer earlier) and of course for his trainer Nicky Henderson who is 60 today. In the opener though, another Henderson trained horse Spirit River was a major disappointment. The race was won by the determined Reve de Sivola from Wishfull Thinking. The latter did particularly well having been badly hampered by a faller at one stage.

Prince of Pirates took the last despite running green. His main market rival crashed out at the second last when leading. Both look decent prospects and Al Ferof should soon make amends as long as the fall has not shaken his confidence.

The interesting horse in the 12.10 is A Media Luz who was good enough to contest Group races on the flat in France. She makes her hurdles debut here. If she jumps OK she has to be in with a real chance.

Time for Rupert will take some beating in the 12.45. Runner up in the World Hurdle last season he won on his chase debut in a race where today’s winner Reve de Sivola was 4^th. His form figures at Cheltenham read 1221, he will handle the ground and the trip looks ideal. His main dangers look to be Quinz and Cannington Brook. The former has already won twice over fences this season, as Exeter and Ascot while Cannington Brook ran with promise on his chase bow over course and distance last month.

Banjaxed Girl and Restless Harry may run well at decent prices in the 1.20 but I just prefer the strong travelling Sentry Duty for this.

Master Minded is a very short price in the 1.55 and given that he has been beaten on his last 2 visits to Cheltenham it might be worth a small each way interest in Somersby.

The 2.30 looks pretty competitive. The form of Robinson Collonges was given a boost today by the performance of Wishfull Thinking. Mad Max could run well. He should be all the better for his run in the Paddy Power. Noble Alan and Sunnyhillboy will both appreciate the ground.

The 3.05 looks to be between the Supreme Novices winner Menorah and the exciting newcomer Cue Card. Both horses are unbeaten at Cheltenham and this should be an informative race. I am not sure this is a race to bet on but if pushed for a selection I would go with Menorah who has the form in the book.

Galant Nuit is an interesting runner in the 3.40. I see he is entered in the Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas and this looks like a prep for that race.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Jane Dunn

 

It does seem that we are about to get some more turf racing after a couple of weeks of the all weather stuff.

The cross country race tomorrow is in doubt but the remainder of the card should be OK according to the clerk of the course.

The first race is a novice chase at 12.10. Although only 6 line up none can be safely ruled out. Reve de Sivola is something of a favourite of mine. He has plenty of class and has shown a very willing attitude in his races. He has run 6 times at Cheltenham without recording a win there which is a worrying statistic. He was runner up to the high class Peddler’s Cross at the track last season though, beating the other 15 runners. He has had some problems with his jumping but if those have been ironed out he would have a strong chance here. He seems to act on any ground.

Wishfull Thinking fell at the first fence on his chase debut but has since won at Wincanton. A winner 3 times over hurdles he should be well suited by both the going and the left handed track at Cheltenham. Rebel du Maquis has won his first 2 starts over fences for Paul Nicholls having previously been placed in France. He hasn’t been seriously tested yet and it is difficult to gauge just how good he is. He is clearly best suited by good ground though.

The other one that I would want to consider is Spirit River. Winner of the Coral Cup over hurdles last season he had been jumping well until falling at the 11^th fences on his chase bow at Newbury. He has bundles of class and is a leading contender here. There are some really nice prospects in this and the result will come down to which of them jumps the best. Spirit River would be my choice.

The 12.40 is an open looking big field handicap hurdle. Higgy’s Boy won 3 times last season, handles good ground and was an encouraging 3^rd at Sandown on his seasonal appearance. He looks a sporting each way bet.

The Grand National winner Don’t Push It reappears in the 1.50 but his main target for the season is likely to be Aintree in April. His stable companion Synchronised is another National winner; he took the Midlands equivalent last season. The ride of Tony McCoy he would ideally want plenty of cut in the ground. Lush Life won at Ascot and Sandown last season. He will handle the ground and comes from a stable adept and placing horses in this type of race. Solway Sam has won 5 of his 10 starts with all those wins coming on good or good to soft. He has an each way chance but Lush Life is the selection.

In the 2.25 my 2 against the field are Palypso de Creek and Forest Pennant. The 3.35 will probably centre around Prince of Pirates and Al Ferof. They both look horses to follow this season but on this occasion I would slightly favour Al Ferof. Drumlang, named after a salmon pool on the Isle of Mull is well regarded by his canny trainer and is one to look out for as the season progresses.

My thanks to Emily Russell for today’s picture.

Bye for now

There does seem to be the prospect of some turf racing tomorrow with both Exeter and Warwick staging morning inspections.

A couple stand out for me in the opener at 12.20. Fontano impressed when winning a Kempton bumper while Mizzurka won 3 of his 6 starts in bumpers.

Although there are only 4 runners in the 12.50 it is still quite a tricky puzzle. Sanctuaire won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last March but was a faller in the Greatwood hurdle. He has tended tp pull hard in his races and may find it difficult to get cover in such a small field. He should go well if he settles. The main danger could come from Ciceron who ran quite well behind Tocca Ferro at Newbury recently. He does not have a stamina laden pedigree and would probably not want testing ground.

There are only 3 runners in the 1.20 but it is an interesting race nonetheless. Royal Charm is well thought of by the Paul Nicholl yard and may well be a star in the making. He is opposed by Tarablaze who put in an encouraging run when 3^rd to Wymott at Bangor coming back after a long lay off. Hidden Keel makes his chase bow. A winner over hurdles he is expected to be even better over fences and is not just there to make up the numbers. Royal Charm looks the most likely winner but this does not appeal as a betting heat.

My 2 against the field in the 1.50 are Minella Boys and Ayemdee while at Warwick it would be no surprise if Comedy Act had the last laugh in the 12.40.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Alison Wilson