I will start tonight’s preview with a look back at the racing over the last 3 weeks while I have been taking a little break.
31 December
Glenwood Knight opened his account over fences at Uttoxeter while another horse that we have been following, Alverstone, gave emerging trainer Lawney Hill a winner at Warwick ridden by Tony McCoy. “AP” had a double on the day as he was also on board Rock Noir who won the novice chase in a small but quite select field of 3.
January 1
Nicky Henderson had the first two winners on the Cheltenham card in Bob’s Worth and Oscar Whisky. The latter horse put up a sparkling display and may be aimed at the Champion Hurdle although his next race is likely to be the Welsh equivalent.
January 2
The Charlie Longsden trained Minella Boys took the Sussex National at Plumpton where he enjoyed the testing conditions.
January 3
In form trainer Jim Goldie supplied the winner of the staying handicap hurdle at Ayr with Arctic Court at 8/1. Richie McGrath rode a well judged race creeping stealthily into the race and finding a potent finishing kick.
Spanish Treasure, a winner at the 2010 Punchestown Festival made a winning debut over hurdles at Hereford. He is well regarded by connections and there should be more to come from him.
January 4
Charlie Longsden thinks a lot of his exciting young prospect Hidden Keel who got off the mark over fences at Leicester while Frascati Park followed up his success at Ascot with a win on the same card.
January 8
I put forward 2 horses for the Welsh National at Chepstow and one of them, Synchronised came in at 5/1. At his best when the mud is flying Synchronised gave Tony McCoy his first success in the race.
Mille Chief revealed something of the ability he shows at home in the last at Sandown, doing well to carry top weight of 11st 12lb in such gruelling conditions. He is no forlorn hope for the Champion Hurdle, while at Wincanton Ballabriggs began his Grand National preparation with a comfortable success over hurdles. The versatile Buck Mulligan won the opener at Wincanton with something to spare and is one to look out for over hurdles or fences.
January 10
Sono Sasta, a horse we followed with some success last season won over fences at Taunton where he was probably something of a good thing.
January 12
Adams Island put in an efficient round of jumping to land the novice chase at Doncaster. He seems to handle any ground and is one for the notebook.
January 15
The big race of the day was of course the King George at Kempton where Kauto Star went for a 5th consecutive win in the race. On the day he ran bravely but was beaten by the new kid on the block Long Run. We may have seen the best of Kauto but that best was quite something. Binocular showed he is on track to defend his Champion Hurdle crown with a fluent success in the Christmas Hurdle. The Lanzerote Hurdle went to James de Vassy who had been 3rd in the Coral Cup last season.
At Warwick Court in Motion won the Grade 2 novice hurdle without being asked a serious question.
January 17
Evella had looked a horse to follow at the start of the season but had been pulled up on her first 3 starts until putting in a foot perfect round of jumping to win at 14/1 in the beginner’s chase at Fakenham. Chester Cup winner Mamlook also jumped well to beat his 2 rivals in the novice chase. The ground at Fakenham was very much on the testing side.
January 19
Handicap good thing Sono Sasta landed the odds at Newbury under a penalty.
January 20
Ciceron has a sprinting pedigree and stamina can sometimes be an issue for him over hurdles. The slow pace probably played to his strengths at Taunton where he won at 8/1 for trainer Venetia Williams who is enjoying a good run.
OK, turning to tomorrow’s racing Ascot looks likely to go ahead so I will start there. Nicky Henderson has his team in sparkling form and his Osric may well win the opener at 12.40. He will be short enough though and Mister Stickler may provide some value. A winner at Plumpton he then disappointed at Bangor where he had a breathing problem. Over a slightly longer trip here that should suit he may give a better account of himself.
Grandouet should give Nicky Henderson a winner in the 1.15. At a much bigger price Alverstone has an each way chance in the 1.50.
Master Minded is hard to oppose in the b2.25. He has had his off days in the past however and he is odds on so Somersby could be worth a small each way interest.
The 2.55 looks tricky. My two against the field would be Notus de la Tour and Frascati Park.
Poungach was 3rd behind Frascati Park at Ascot at Ascot so the earlier race may give a pointer to the chances of Poungach in the 4.05. Carrib’s Leap is another to consider.
In the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock (3.15) Frankie Figg, Maktu and Sa Suffitt all make some appeal. Other races at Haydock; 1.30 Glenwood Knight; 2.05 Peddler’s Cross; 2.40 Wymott; 3.50 Tiptoeaway.
Requin in the 2.50 is my only selection at Wincanton.
ahorse 