Author: Martin

There should be a few Cheltenham pointers to be gleaned from tomorrow’s action at Leopardstown. In the 2.10 Dunguib will be expected to enhance his Festival claims and he should have too much for Fionnegas and Some Present.

There are several with chances in the 3.40 but Roberto Goldback is a course and distance winner and will love the ground and looks the percentage call.

The Hennessy Gold Cup at 3.40 looks really competitive. Money Trix had several of his main rivals in arrears when runner up in the Lexus Chase and at around 3/1 he looks decent value.

There is rather more homely fair on offer at Fontwell and Musselburgh but some interesting contests nonetheless. Vino Griego looks a progressive sort and will handle the ground at Fontwell where he looks the one to beat in the 2.20. Jockey Andrew Glassonbury takes a useful 3 lbs of his back as well.

Up at Musselburgh Candy Creek can continue trainer Nicky Henderson’s fine run by taking the 1.30 while Harry the Hawk can give us a run for our money at a working man’s price in the 2.00.

Marchand D’Argent was 4^th on his seasonal reappearance and should strip fitter for that in the 3.30 where he will also appreciate the better ground. Red Moloney is the other one I like in this race.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Karen Davies.

I will start tonight’s preview with the 1.20 at Doncaster which has attracted a small but quite classy field. Tazbar was a talented hurdler that possibly under achieved but he has made a solid start to his career over fences with a couple of wins and a second to the highly rated Long Run. He should act on the prevailing ground and is a leading player. The danger could come from the Nicky Henderson pair of Dave’s Dream and You’re the Top. . Although Dave’s Dream was well beaten at Newbury over Christmas that was on heavy ground and he is likely to be seen to much better effect on a sounder surface. You’re the top opened his account over fences at Kempton in November and is open to plenty of improvement. Tazbar is fancied to come out on top here.

In the 1.55 Character Building has his first outing since winning the Kim Muir at the Festival. He is entered for the Grand National and is being kept to hurdles here to protect his handicap mark. I wouldn’t rule him out tomorrow but the trip will be on the short side for him. Another reverting to hurdles is Calusa Crystal who has been competing in novice chases. She was progressive over hurdles last season winning 4 times. She is best on good ground and given her conditions would not be out of it. She is 5 lbs higher than her last hurdles win.

The classy Mad Max made a winning start to his career over fences at Kempton last month and looks to build on that in the 2.25. He will not have things all his way though with El Dancer an obvious threat. This 6 year old trained by Lucy Wadham was second to Riverside Theatre at Kempton in December. He jumps well and is best on good ground. Woolcombe Folly is another that will appreciate better ground. He missed last season through injury but won 5 times over hurdles the previous season. This is no forgone conclusion but I will stick with Mad Max.

There are a few to consider in the Grade 2 mare’s hurdle at 2.55. The Paul Nicholls runner Pepite de Soleil has been very disappointing this season after running consistently last term. It is certainly too early to write her off. She likes soft ground. Argento Luna is another for the short list. When completing a race, and she has only failed to do so once when brought down, she has only been out of the first 3 twice out of 12 runs. She is best on good ground. For my selection though I am going for Alegralil, a dual bumper winner who has already won both her starts over hurdles.

The 3.25 sees the return to the track of Kalahari King who was only beaten a short head in last season’s Arkle. He faces 14 rivals tomorrow including the Paul Nicholls pair Free World and I’msingingtheblues who must be respected. I have a bit of a fancy for Tartak who didn’t run too badly in the King George and this shorter trip should suit him. Kalahari King is the selection with a small each way saver on Tartak.

There are plenty of solid stayers in the 4 miler at 4.00. Garleton is a horse I have been following with some success but looks to be in the grip the handicapper . Jass won the race last season and although he has gone up in the weights I think he could run well again. He was 5^th in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on a track that would not have played to his strengths.

At Sandown Binocular (pictured below) has frightened away the opposition in the 1.30 and will be long odds on and likewise Punchestowns in the 2.35.

The handicap hurdle at 3.10 is a much more competitive affair however. Merrydown is one to consider. He is having his first run of the season but despite wins at Kelso and Newcastle last season does not look on a bad mark. The consistent Strategic Approach has gone up in the weights but could still play a part while Racing Demon ran much better than his finishing position would suggest at Ascot last time and looks well treated.

The 3.40 is another open looking contest. Gone to Lunch ran no sort of race in the Welsh National but he is better than that as he showed last season when runner up in the Scottish National. He had a fine run when 5^th in the Hennessy and if we ignore that Chepstow effort he has a chance tomorrow as he stays well and handles most ground. Killyglen was pulled up in the Hennessy at a time when Howard Johnson’s horses were not firing but they are bang in form now and Killyglen is a serious contender based on his form last season especially his win at Aintree in the Mildmay Novices Chase. According to John hasn’t won for over 3 years but has shown signs of a return to form in his last couple of runs, particularly when 3^rd in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Exmoor Ranger has been denied a run by abandonments recently but impressed when winning at Newbury in November and looks a progressive sort. These 4 represent my short list from which I will narrow it down to Gone to Lunch and Exmoor Ranger.

In the 4.15 Fred’s Benefit is my each way suggestion. He looks nicely handicapped.

My selections at Wetherby are SA Suffitt (2.20) and Knockara Beau (2.50).

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Clegg.

Good luck.

 

Selections for Friday at Bangor.

1.50 Pennek

2.25 Den of Iniquity

I had quite a successful day today with 3 of the horses from last night’s preview winning and the other very unluckily slipping after the final hurdle with the race in the bag.

The weather is once again set to disrupt tomorrow’s programme. Pealysteps did enough when2nd at Leicester last time to suggest he has a race in him and he can go one better in the 1.40 at Towcester.

Woodlands Genpower is something of a Towcester specialist having won there 4 times and although he has gone up in the weights he should give us a run for our money in the 3.10. Vamizi looks over priced in the 4.10 and looks worth a small each way interest at around 12/1.

At Wincanton I fancy Henry Ling in the 2.20. He is not entirely straightforward but has plenty of ability and this does not look a strong contest.

My thanks to Kate Tann for the photo of Towcester racecourse.

I won’t spend too long on tonight’s preview as the weather looks likely to disrupt the jumps racing.

At Exeter the 4.15 looks to be between Copper Bleu and Shoreacres. I will give Copper Bleu the edge on the basis that the ground is more likely to suit him.

Diamond Brook was a beaten favourite last time out at Exeter. He returns to the same course tomorrow in the 4.50 where he is likely to appreciate the longer trip. He ran badly on soft ground last time though and that is a concern. Another to consider is the Emma Lavelle trained Court in Motion who is related to the useful Bensalem.

If Leicester goes ahead Sandynow should give us a run for our money in the opener at 1.45.

At Newcastle Hollins, a winner at Kelso on his last start is my selection in the while Turbo Island will be hard to beat in the 3.15.

They race at Down Royal in Northern Ireland where Hugo de Vindecy has a sound chance in the 2.10.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Alison Wilson.

Folkestone has fallen foul of the weather but it looks as though Taunton will go ahead so we will have a look at some of the races on their card.

I had hopes that Tara Taylor would be a horse to follow this season but thus far has been a disappointment. She has not built on her promising 3^rd at Uttoxeter in October. Her trainer Charlie Longsden has been pretty short on winners recently although he has had some placed horses. Tara Taylor is on a decent mark if she can find her best form and at 14/1 might be worth a small each way interest.

Normally the two that would interest me in the 2.40 would be King’s Forest and Vodka Brook but neither is over big and both prefer decent ground. If we get a lot of rain in might be worth an interest in Quartz de Thiax as he has winning form on heavy ground. I will go with Vodka Brook if conditions are not too testing.

Another that would not want the ground to be too soft is Via Galilei, twice a winner on the flat for Jim Bolger. He would be my selection in the 3.10 as long as they don’t get too much rain in the west country.

Festival winner Cappa Bleu has been disappointing over fences this season and reverts to hurdles in the 3.40 where his main rival could be Valentine Vic a course and distance winner trained by Paul Nicholls. These look the pair to concentrate on and if pushed to, choose a single selection I would side with Valentine Vic.

My thanks to Emily Russell for today’s photo.

Sandynow is a horse I like and sets the standard in the Hereford 2.35. The main danger is likely to come from Gus Macrae who is trained by Rebecca Curtis, a trainer in good form lately.

Somersby should have too many guns for his rivals in the 3.05 although he will be at very short odds. Den of Iniquity is a nice type and could be the one to make the favourite work a bit.

At Plumpton Vamizi is better than his bare form figures suggest and he could belie long odds in the 3.15. Latin America won a couple of bumpers at Fontwell last season before finishing down the field in the Champion bumper at Cheltenham. He looks an interesting runner in the 2.45.

At Punchestown Silver Birch (pictured below) should go close in the 12.55. Luska lad is my selection in the 3.00.

At Limerick Ballyburke comes from a stable bang in form and has an each way chance in the 3.40.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sarah Aspinall.

There are competitive jumps meetings at 3 venues in the UK tomorrow weather permitting.

Starting in the 1.30 at Cheltenham tomorrow I have a short list of 3 who will all be suited by plenty of give in the ground. Den of Iniquity, Ernst Blofeld and Midnight Chase all look fair value. Ernst Blofeld comes into the race in good form and will not lack for stamina. He is the selection.

Exmoor Ranger is probably going to run at Doncaster but if he does go to Cheltenham he would be my selection in the 2.05.

Inchidaly Rock is unbeaten in two starts over fences and is a course and distance winner so is one for any shortlist in the 2.35. He is taking on more experiences rivals here and it is possible that he is better going right handed. Madison Du Berlais is a class act on his day but has struggled at Cheltenham in the past. These were the two I most fancied but they have enough question marks about them for me to shy away from a bet.

The 3.10 is quite a hot race. General Miller won well at Cheltenham on his hurdles debut after winning twice in bumpers while Fiulin is an interesting recruit from the flat. Royal Charm though looks one of the best young prospects in the Paul Nicholls yard and this step up in trip should suit him. He is my selection.

The Cleeve Hurdle at 3.40 is likely to be run at a decent pace so stamina will play an important part. Bouggler is one to consider at a big price while the likes of Katchit and Tidal Bay could not be ruled out, Tidal Bay in particular given the form of the stable. Mr Thriller had looked progressive until beaten by Sentry Duty in a 3 runner race at Cheltenham and now tackles 3 miles for the first time. The Pipe team are in form and Mr Thriller is one to consider but my main fancies are the progressive pair Lie Forrit and Time for Rupert. Time for Rupert won a handicap over course and distance in December on soft ground and is lightly raced. Lie Forrit I another that steps up in class after winning in handicaps but he has proven stamina and acts on soft ground.

Turning to Doncaster and the 1.10 Character Building has his first run since his win in the Kim Muir Chase and his main target will probably be the Grand National. The trip here looks to be on the short side for him and he will probably need the run. Merrydown was a winner at Kelso on soft ground last seaspon. He is a nice type but hasn’t run for 276 days. The percentage call may be Clova Island who is a consistent performer and looks each way value at around 17/2.

The giant Mad Max looks the one to beat in the 1.45. His main rival will probably be another great big horse in the Howard Johnson trained Quwetwo. A real clash of the giants this and a race well worth watching. Mad Max has the benefit of a recent run which may give him the edge.

In the 2.50 The Betchworth Kid, a useful stayer on the flat, looks the one to be on.

Victor Dartnall had a winner today with Giles Cross and I fancy his Exmoor Ranger in the 3.25. Alegralil is 4 from 4 at present having won twice in bumpers and also two hurdle races. He has done everything asked of him so far and will take some stopping in the 4.00.

From the same stable as Alegralil, Alderley Rover is my only selection at Uttoxeter where he runs in the 3.00.

Today’s picture, courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller, is of 2008 Cleeve Hurdle winner Inglis Drever.

 

We have been on quite a good run over the last 7 days with the following winners highlighted;

Qozak 2/1, Wishfull Thinking 11/8, Peddlers Cross 11/8, Medermit 11/4, Vino Griego 4/5, Roberto Goldback 5/2, Premier Sagas 4/5, Mirage Dore 9/2, Solwhit 5/6, Quiscover Fontaine 1/1, Stormy Weather 5/2, The Nightingale 11/10, Door Boy 4/9, Tara Royal 8/15, Mille Chief 2/9, Carole’s Legacy 15/8, Sona Sasta 8/1.

David Pipe has his team in fine form at present and anything he runs at the moment is worth a second look. It wouldn’t surprise me if his Good Man Jack ran much better than his recent form might suggest in the Chepstow 2.55.

Giles Cross has only completed the course once in his last 4 starts but on that occasion he was a decent second at Chepstow, a course where he won over hurdles. He is not on a bad handicap mark and he gets my vote in the Chepstow 2.20.

Jungleand looks on a fair mark in the 4.05.

Sereth won in listed company on the flat in Germany and went on to finish 3^rd in the 2009 Cesarewitch. He made a winning start over hurdles before finding one too good next time out. He has solid claims in the Doncaster 1.55. In the 3.05 at the Yorkshire track newcomer Blue Nymph looks the type likely to do well over hurdles. She was only out of the first two twice in 7 starts on the level and there have been good reports about her coming out of John Quinn’s stable.

Dual bumper winner McMurrough won over hurdles at Kelso in November before finishing 7^th to Diamond Harry at Haydock. Provided the ground is not too testing I would give him an each way chance in the 4.15.

At Newbury the 2.05 should be a penalty kick for Tataniano but he will be long odds on. Aiteen Thirtythree was touted as a potential superstar before being well beaten on his debut for Paul Nicholls when he was beaten 52 lengths by Reve De Sivola. He has to be better than that and is worth another chance in the 3.15.

Tony McCoy rides The Vicar for Hen Knight in the 3.50. He won at Haydock last season and the runner up that day has since won twice.

Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Lisa MIller.

I see that Tony McCoy has 3 outside rides at Ffos Las tomorrow. The two he rides for trainer Rebecca Curtis look quite interesting. Praxiteles (1.55) is particularly well bred and showed promise on his hurdles debut. He should go well. Black Jack Blues is a dual bumper winner and was second over hurdles on his latest start. Bred to appreciate the trip in the 2.30 he looks worth considering.

Carole’s Legacy won at Exeter last month on unsuitable soft ground and ridden by Andrew Tinkler. Although Cool Friend is weighted to reverse the form of that race I will stick with the Nicky Henderson runner on better ground and with Barry Geraghty in the plate in the 3.05.

In the 3.40 I am going for a couple of outsiders in Devon Native and Sona Sasta. I had hopes for Qualypso D’Allier this season but he has unseated on both his starts. It is impossible to be too confident but if he can put in a clear round he wouldn’t be far away. Rather a big if though I am afraid. He runs in the 4.10.

Alan King’s Bakbenscher takes on some decent rivals in the Warwick 2.55 but having now got the confidence boost of a win over fences he should be good enough here.

Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Kirsten Harris.  Follow the link below for more information on this artist.

Kirsten Harris