Monday’s jumps racing comes from Ludlow.
Not much to comment on really but I will be interested to see if the step up in distance brings out more improvement in Alan King’s Ouzbeck in the 3.30.. He has been running over 2 miles but his pedigree suggests that he may well stay further.
Cheltenham Trials day featured two admirable efforts over hurdles with both Franchoek and Inglis Drever winner their races with some aplomb. Both look worthy favourites come March, particularly Inglis Drever who is so well suited to that Cheltenham hill.
I will concentrate on the Kelso meeting tomorrow, a course described as the friendliest in Britain.
Nicky Richards normally does well with his runners at the Borders venue and his Double Default is my idea of the winner in the 2.05. Although he did well enough over hurdles last season it always looked as though chasing would be his game. Unfortunately he did not get beyond the first fence on his chase debut when the stirrup leather snapped but he can make amends here, mainly at the expense of Shrewd Investor.
Alan Swinbank’s Scale Bank should come on for his run at Musselburgh earlier this month and is likely to be on the premises in the bumper at 4.15 but I will stick with Double Default as my nap for Sunday.
There are two excellent meetings over the jumps tomorrow and I will start at Cheltenham who stage their Festival Trials day.
In the 1.00 there will be plenty of support for Aigle D’Or who was an impressive winner at Lingfield on his UK debut. He has form on the flat on various types of going and he looks the one to beat here. There are viable alternatives though. Alan King’s Evelith Echo has been running well and his 4th behind the useful Song of Songs at Kempton was a decent effort. He tackles a longer trip here and that should be in his favour. The Howard Johnson trained Marleybow puts his 100% record on the line and is certainly another for the short list. Junior won twice on the flat last season over 2 miles and this trip over hurdles is likely to suit him. He looks sure to win races over hurdles. The front running mare Helen’s Vision was a beaten favourite last time but if you ignore that run her earlier form was very solid.
This is by no means a walk over for the likely favourite.
In the 1.35 I am hoping for an improved run from Mister Potter who drops back in trip.
Moving on to the 2.10 the two runners from our list to follow, New Little Bric and Private Be have chances. New Little Bric has been one of the few disappointments from the Paul Nicholls yard this term. I see that he is fitted with first time blinkers here which may have the desired effect. Private Be is returning to Cheltenham for the third time this season. On his first visit he was going well when he was brought down but he then ran disappointingly in the Paddy Power. He had had a break since then. The main danger may come from Maljimar who was 4th last time out over an inadequate trip. Preacher Boy could be worth a small each interest although he is probably better over further.
Simon ran a blinder here when runner up in December and he is my selection for the 2.40.
Franchoek, Tatenen and Serabad occupied the first three places at Chepstow last month finishing in that order. They meet again in the 3.15 and should again be involved in the finish. Franchoek looks a tough battler and may just prevail again.
The Cleeve Hurdle at 3.50 looks to be between Blazing Bailey and Inglis Drever. Blazing Bailey got the better of the argument in this race last season and may just have the edge again.
There is also a top class card at Doncaster. In the opener there at 12.20 Khyber Kim will take some beating. He impressed many good judges when beating some useful sorts on his hurdles debut at Newbury. He was a classy performer on the flat and could be something special. Keith Reveley’s Tazbar could give him most to do.
Theatre Girl didn’t go down without a fight against Khyber Kim at Newbury and before that she had some decent form in bumpers. She would be my each way selection in the 1.55 where both Nicky Henderson’s runners warrant respect.
All Star is my selection in the 2.30 with Echo Point an each way alternative. In the 3.00 I would be inclined to take a chance with a couple of outsiders, Dusky Warbler and Henry’s Pride.
One Gulp has done nothing wrong this season and should go close in the 3.30 while there is a good word for Ange ou Demon in the 4.05.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Newbury 2.05 – Big Bucks
Newbury 2.40 – Mossville
Newbury 3.15 – Cool Cliché
Newbury 3.50 – Ballyfoy & The Sawyer
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Doncaster 12.50 – Blue Bajan & Shipmaster
Doncaster 3.05 – Aureate
Newbury 1.30 – Schiehallion
Russellform Ramblings
Classic Fiddle and Air Force One were winners today for our list to follow, albeit at cramped odds.
Classic Fiddle was winning for Nicky Henderson after a long absence from the track and I wonder if stable companion Schiehallion can do the same. He showed distinct promise in his two bumper runs last season which were both at Newbury. He won the first and then finished 4th under a penalty. The first two in that race have both won this season.
Blue Bajan created a favourable impression when winning at Leicester last time and looks the won they all have to beat on the opener at Doncaster. In the same race Shipmaster should come on for his debut run over hurdles and the same could be said of Aureate in the 3.05 at the Yorkshire course.
Both Big Bucks and Cool Cliché look to have sound chances at Newbury. Of the rest Oxley is an interesting runner in the Doncaster 4.10. He is a half brother to the multiple winner Jakari and he has the same sire as My Way de Solzen so he has a promising pedigree. He has been off the course for 650 days since finishing 8th of 20 in a bumper at Haydock. He caught my eye that day and if he can be kept fit now could be one to look out for in the future.
Nap of the day
Doncaster 12.50 – Blue Bajan
Today’s trivia
Kelso racecourse has a charity tea room. A different charity is selected to provide teas form each race day raising funds for worthy causes.
What’s in a name?
Foinavon, probably the biggest ever outsider to win the Grand National (1967) was named after a Scottish mountain.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Newbury 2.05 – Big Bucks
Newbury 2.40 – Mossville
Newbury 3.15 – Cool Cliché
Newbury 3.50 – Ballyfoy & The Sawyer
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Doncaster 12.50 – Blue Bajan & Shipmaster
Doncaster 3.05 – Aureate
Newbury 1.30 – Schiehallion
Russellform Ramblings
Classic Fiddle and Air Force One were winners today for our list to follow, albeit at cramped odds.
Classic Fiddle was winning for Nicky Henderson after a long absence from the track and I wonder if stable companion Schiehallion can do the same. He showed distinct promise in his two bumper runs last season which were both at Newbury. He won the first and then finished 4th under a penalty. The first two in that race have both won this season.
Blue Bajan created a favourable impression when winning at Leicester last time and looks the won they all have to beat on the opener at Doncaster. In the same race Shipmaster should come on for his debut run over hurdles and the same could be said of Aureate in the 3.05 at the Yorkshire course.
Both Big Bucks and Cool Cliché look to have sound chances at Newbury. Of the rest Oxley is an interesting runner in the Doncaster 4.10. He is a half brother to the multiple winner Jakari and he has the same sire as My Way de Solzen so he has a promising pedigree. He has been off the course for 650 days since finishing 8th of 20 in a bumper at Haydock. He caught my eye that day and if he can be kept fit now could be one to look out for in the future.
Nap of the day
Doncaster 12.50 – Blue Bajan
Today’s trivia
Kelso racecourse has a charity tea room. A different charity is selected to provide teas form each race day raising funds for worthy causes.
What’s in a name?
Foinavon, probably the biggest ever outsider to win the Grand National (1967) was named after a Scottish mountain.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Fontwell 1.50 – Classic Fiddle
Fontwell 2.50 – Air Force One
Warwick 2.40 – Pauillac
Russellform Ramblings
Classic Fiddle is my main hope today. She is a dual bumper winner and won two of her three starts over hurdles last season, her only defeat being to the useful Gaspara.
She should be even better over fences as she is related to 1985 Grand National winner Last Suspect and also to a couple of Irish National winners. She has won twice on heavy ground and the stable are in fine form. The only question mark might be over her fitness as, unlike all the other runners, she lacks a recent outing.
Nap of the day
Fontwell 1.50 – Classic Fiddle
Today’s trivia
Trainer Jenny Pitman retired in 1999. Her last winner was Scarlet Emperor at Huntingdon.
What’s in a name?
The French Derby is known as the Prix du Jockey Club.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Huntingdon 2.10 – Noble Sham
Musselburgh 1.00 – I’m Delilah
Musselburgh 3.00 – Native Coral
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Huntingdon 1.40 – Hitaaf & Indicible
Musselburgh 4.00 – Wipe Your Eye
Russellform Ramblings
All the horses noted above are in with a shout today. The David Pipe trained Hitaaf gets the nap though. He was a winner on the flat in France and made a successful hurdles debut at Ludlow.
The 2.30 at Musselburgh features some promising recruits form the flat including Compromiznotension, Kerriemuir Lass and Halla San.
Nap of the day
Huntingdon 1.40 – Hitaaf
Russellform Ramblings
As the bad weather continues Tuesday’s jumps meetings have been abandoned.
I was pleased to see a couple of the horses featured yesterday come up trumps. In particular the veteran Chopneyev ploughed his way through the mud at Folkestone to take advantage of a lenient rating.
In the opening maiden hurdle Dave’s Dream made a winning hurdles debut for in form trainer Nicky Henderson.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Folkestone 1.40 – Aux Le Bahnn & Master Overseer
Folkestone 2.10 – Manhattan Boy
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Folkestone 1.10 – Dave’s Dream
Russellform Ramblings
I was pleased to see Labelthou return to winning ways over hurdles on Saturday. Emma Lavelle’s charge was reverting back to the smaller obstacles after a heavy fall over fences last time. She jumped beautifully under Timmy Murphy and won with a bit in hand.
Twist Magic got stuck in the mud but I certainly wouldn’t write off his chance at Cheltenham in March given better ground. Regal Heights was a winner for our list to follow and he had plenty of previous winning form on soft and heavy.
Folkestone is the only jumps meeting tomorrow and once again the going will be testing. Dave’s Dream makes his hurdles debut in the 1.10. He won a bumper at Uttoxeter last season and impressed some good judges en route. He is related to an Irish National winner. The going at Uttoxeter was good so we have to take it on trust that he will handle the ground. The stable do have a decent strike rate at the Kent track.
There are two runners from our list to follow in the 1.40. Aux le Bahnn is a 7 year old but has only raced twice, both in bumpers and was a winner each time. He looked pretty good in his bumper runs and I am hopeful that he will make a winning start over hurdles. Master Overseer won a bumper at Fontwell last season but has struggled in both his runs this term. He is from the in form David Pipe yard so I have certainly not written him off just yet.
Manhattan Boy (2.10) has winning form on heavy ground and was a fair 3rd on his last start, at Leicester. Noland will be a warm order for this and will probably win but if the favourite is not fully wound up Manhattan Boy could be the one to capitalize.
Quizzene won 3 times on the flt when trained by Mark Johnston. He is with Alan King now and makes his hurdles bow in the 2.40.
In the 4.10 Chopneyev has a welter burden but he will relish the heavy ground and has an each way chance.
Nap of the day
Folkestone 1.40 – Aux Le Bahnn
Today’s trivia
Gaspara was the only winning mare at the 2007 Cheltenham Fesrival
What’s in a name?
Warne’s Way who was 2nd at Ascot on Saturday behind Lough Derg is appropriately named as he is by Spinning World.
Horses running from our main list to follow
Ascot 1.45 – Twist Magic
Ascot 2.55 – Gaspara
Ascot 3.30 – Regal Heights
Ascot 4.05 – Cave Hill
Haydock 1.25 – Afsoun & Regal Heights
Haydock 2.00 – Simon
Haydock 2.30 – Silverburn
Horses running from our “dark horses” list
Ascot 2.20 – Marodima
Ascot 2.55 – Labelthou
Russellform Ramblings
Both meetings are in doubt tomorrow and if racing does go ahead the ground is sure to be very testing so it is probably best to restrict any financial interest to a minimum unless you are sure that your horse will handle the conditions.
Of the horses featured in last night’s preview Katapult was a winner at Catterick at 11/4. He is very well regarded by his trainer and looks to be one to follow.
Paul Nicholls again puts out a strong team tomorrow with Twist Magic likely to start at short odds in the Victor Chandler. He has to be the most likely winner on the strength of his win against Voy Por Ustedes in the Tingle Creek. He has won on soft ground too but at 4/7 is not really a betting proposition. Mansony will certainly like the ground and could be the one to benefit should the favourite have an off day.
Silverburn and Maradima both have good chances for the Nicholls yard. Silverburn incidentally is a full brother to Denman.
The Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock is often looked at as a Grand National trial. Simon comes into the race on the back of a good second at Cheltenham last month. He is an out and out stayer and should run well. He probably has most to fear from yet another Nicholls runner in course and distance winner Opera Mundi who will appreciate the conditions.
Earlier at Haydock Afsoun may be able to bring his stamina into play to get the better of Straw Bear in the 1.25.
A bit of an outsider that may be worth having a look at tomorrow is Roman Ark in the Haydock 1.25. He has won 4 times at the Lancashire course and absolutely loves heavy ground.
Nap of the day
Haydock 2.00 – Opera Mundi
Today’s trivia
Flat race trainer Roger Charlton once rode a winner at the Cheltenham Festival.
What’s in a name?
There is a bit of an ashes flavour to racing tomorrow with both Flintoff and warne’s Way among the entries. A win double anyone?
ahorse 