Today went well for us with winners at 16/1 and 6/1.
There are 4 jumps meetings in the UK tomorrow although in this pre Cheltenham period the quality does dip a little.
The Doncaster card gets under way with a handicap hurdle at 2.10. I had a bit of a fancy for Solway Sam in this at a big price. He won a couple of times in the summer and will like the drying ground. This race has tended to go to a fancied horse in the past with the highest priced winner in the last 7 renewals being 8/1. With this trend in mind my selection is Mac Aeda, a good looking, lightly raced individual who comes here on the back of a win, acts on the ground and gets the trip. I will be narked if Solway Sam wins though!
Scottish National winner Merigo looks a big price in the 3.15 while course and distance winner Drive Time will have conditions in his favour in the 3.50.
Chepstow form doesn’t always work out elsewhere but I am hoping that Sherwani Wolf, a recent winner at the Welsh track, can follow up at Newbury in the 1.55.
Paul Nicholls has a remarkable record in the 3.00 and is double handed with Ruby Walsh on Niche Market. The former Irish National winner may find this trip on the short side, a comment that applies to a number of his rivals. I am inclined to look for an outsider in this and Prince de Beauchene, Fine Parchment and Plein Pouvoir form my short list. Plein Pouvoir each way would be my tentative choice, although again I am relying on form from a win at Chepstow.
There are plenty in with chances in the 3.35. Made in Time is well thought of by trainer Rebecca Curtis and could be well treated off a mark of 1.22. Via Galilei is a course and distance winner and was only beaten a neck at Taunton last month. He has gone up the weights but could still be competitive. Sire Collonges may well have a bright future ahead of his over fences. He has been dropped 3 lbs after his run at Ascot and is one to consider. Zafranagar has dropped to a winnable mark and is a big price. At odds of around 8/1 Via Gallilei looks value.
Later on the Newbury card I fancy Rangitoto in the 4.10.
Somewhatinevitable is better than his form figures suggest and has each way claims in the Kempton 1.45.
The versatile Buck Mulligan was a comfortable winner at Wincanton in January and should go well in the 2.15 where Oasis Knight looks the danger.
Up at Kelso there are plenty of fancied horses and it looks a tricky race. Priceless Art has won 4 times in bumpers and may have found the ground too testing when a beaten favourite on his hurdles debut. He could be worth another chance in the 4.15 while Ballabriggs looks the likely winner of the 3.40 where Chief Dan George looks the danger.
With Cheltenham round the corner today’s picture, courtesy of Karen Davies, is former festival favourite Moscow Flyer.
ahorse 