1:30 – 141st Year Of The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase)
The David Pipe trained Sona Sasta has been a good friend to this site in the past and is a live contender for this. He has a progressive profile, is unbeaten over fences and will act on the ground. You could perhaps pick holes in his jumping but he is by no means a bad jumper. The trip will suit. Another that stays well is Some Target who represents a stable bang in form and originally was entered for 4 races at the festival. A sound jumper he is well worth considering.
The consistent Chicago Grey has the crack Irish rider Derek O’Connor in the saddle and looks sure to be involved in the finish.
2:05 – Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle
The Irish hold a strong hand here. One that I particularly like is First Lieutenant. He is a grade 1 winner and both trip and going will suit him fine. So Young won 3 bumpers in France before joining Willie Mullins in Ireland where he has won both his starts this season. Completing a trio of Irish hopes is Oscar’s Well a winner of his last 3 races, two of them grade 1s.
The English challenge is headed by Rock on Ruby and Tornado Bob. Rock on Ruby is a tenacious sort and boasts some good form at the track. Tornado Bob has finished in the first 2 in his 4 starts over hurdles.
I find the 3 Irish contenders hard to split but by Irish friend seems to have a lot of confidence in First Lieutenant so I will bow to his greater knowledge and blame him it one of the others wins! I will put up a second selection in this race as I have a sneaking fancy for Rock on Ruby.
2:40 – RSA Chase
Time for Rupert has been all the rage for this race for some time. Second in the World Hurdle last season he has won both his starts over fences. I am not sure that he is value for money though as his price looks rather a skinny one.
I am keen on the chances of both Wymott and Wayward Prince. Wymott has only finished out of the first two once in 10 starts and is unbeaten over fences. Wayward Prince has form figures of 121111 when running over 2 miles. My selections in this race are Wymott and Wayward Prince both each way.
3:20 – Queen Mother Champion Chase
Master Minded bids to regain his title and I would not dismiss his chance lightly. He faces some stiff opposition from the Irish in last year’s winner Big Zeb, Sizing Europe and Golden Silver. The dark horse of the race is Woolcombe Folly who has been a revelation this season winning handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham.
The ground may have gone against Master Minded and I am inclined to take him on. Big Zeb sets the standard. I am not over confident but he is my selection. Sizing Europe has some good course form and along with Woolcombe Folly could be worth an each way interest.
4:00 – Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle)
As usual this is an ultra competitive handicap. Aegean Dawn has looked something special when winning handicaps at Cheltenham and Ascot. He has had an interrupted preparation for the race but if fully fit he would be a big threat. For Non Stop chased home the highly rated Grand Crus over course and distance before Christmas and I am keen on his chances. Call the Police is an interesting Irish runner although his best form has been with plenty of give in the ground. The consistent Bothy is another that would probably prefer softer ground.
Aegean Dawn and Non Stop will do for me with the best outsider the Venetia Williams runner Lightning Strike.
4:40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Titan de Sarti came to the UK with quite a reputation from France but has been expensive to follow. He may well be capable of better than he has shown so far. Tenor Nivernais is another that started his career in France. He was 3rd at Taunton last time out in a race where the form has worked out quite well. Paintball has plenty of experience from racing on the flat comes here on the back of a win at Ludlow, has Richard Johnson in the plate and has to be on the short list. L’Eminence Grise has been running in very good company and may have been underestimated by the handicapper. These would be my short list of 4.
5:15 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race)
I fancy Knight Pass for this. There are others to consider, Cheltenian, Ericht, Raise the Beat and Divine Rhapsody. Knight Pass is the selection though.
Good luck
ahorse 