Category: Racing diary

Not a bad haul today with 4 winners coming from 6 selections.

There is some excellent racing tomorrow and I will start my preview at Cheltenham.

There are only 6 runners in the opener at 12.00 but none of them can be written off. Vicente represents Paul Nicholls and comes here on the back of a course win last time out. He was not always fluent over his fences on that occasion. Blaklion was going well in the same race when falling 3 out.

Onenightinvienna won at Exeter beating Fletchers Flyer by 1.5 lengths. The runner up is 5 lbs better off in this. Then track and the going should suit Onenightinvienna while Fletchers Flyer acts in the mud but won his bumper on good going.

Minella Rocco won a bumper and twice over hurdles but was last of 3 on his chase debut when an odds on shot. He was not beaten far however and remains a promising sort. He has only run on soft going so far. In the same race at Haydock Private Malone finished a close second. This really is an open race but if pushed for a selection it would be Minella Rocco.

1.10 A Hare Breath was a well backed winner here on his last outing and can go in again.

1.45 Knock House, The Druids Nephew and Sausalito Sunrise form my short list. How about; 1. Sausalito Sunriose 2. Knock House 3. The Druids Nephew.

2.55 Zeroshadesofgrey has an each way chance.

3.25 Drumlee Sunset can gain compensation for his slip up here last time.

Bangor

12.20 Vyta Du Roc

Doncaster

11.40 Lord Wishes

1.55 Desert Joe

3.30 Balmusette (each way)

Newcastle

12.20 Cracked Rear View won a Sligo Bumper and before that ran second in a point to Point the form of which has worked out well. He has been out of action for a while but could be one to follow over hurdles.

3.20 Betameche

Taunton

12.40 The consistent Theatre Goer has an each way chance.

2.10 Rebel Benefit could be well handicapped.

Warwick

2.20 Born Survivor

Punchestown

2.25 Min

Leicester

1.05 Abbreviate

3.35 Space Walker

Fontwell

3.20 Amidon

Huntingdon

2.00 Camping Ground

2.35 Waterlord

3.05 La Bague Au Roi

Punchestown

12.40 Yorkhill

1.50 Djakadam

Aintree

I have two fancies at Aintree. The Betfred chase (2.15) has attracted a small but select field. Don Poli could have a few pounds in hand of his rivals and the ground should suit him. At a bigger price Fort Worth (2.45) should go well after an encouraging second at Cheltenham last month.

Chepstow

12.20 The trip and heavy ground could play to the strengths of Ballywilliam, a bumper winner at this track.

Sandown

1.55 Bristol de Mai impressed when winning last time out and looks to have scope for further improvement.

3.35 Carole’s Destrier has been dropped 3 lbs after finishing 5^th in the Badger Ales Chase and should close.

Exeter

1.10 Otago Trail

3.20 Monbeg Theatre

Leicester

2.45 King’s Song has a 7 lbs penalty for his win at Ludlow but comes from a stable in very good form.

Market Rasen

12.05 Sikandar won well last time out and there could be more to come from him.

Wincanton

12.35 This looks a two horse race. My narrow preference is for Duke Des Champs.

Clonmel

3.35 Yorkhill is a worthy favourite on bumper form.

The main event tomorrow is the Hennessy Gold Cup, the 3.00 at Newbury. 8 of the last 10 winners have carried more than 11 stone. Two that fit that category this year are Saphir du Rheu and The Druids Nephew. The former was runner up in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and went on to win a Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree. The Druid’s Nephew won a competitive handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last season and was running a big race in the Grand National before falling in slightly unlucky fashion. Of those further down the weights I will give a mention to Ned Stark, a winner at this meeting last year who also won a decent race at Wetherby. He has already run this season, at Ascot, and that should put his right for tomorrow.

Saphir du Rheu is the selection with the other two mentioned next best. Smad Place who was 5^th last season is another to consider.

1.15 La Vaticane is my other Newbury selection.

We had mixed fortunes at Newbury today. A couple of fallers in the novice chase, a couple of odds on winners and a 7/1 winner in the bumper.

Newbury

12.25 Alan King has won this race a couple of times in recent years. He saddles Ardamir this time, a winner over hurdles in France. He carries a penalty for that win but is a scopey sort and I will burden him with my selection. The Paul Nicholls runner looks the danger.

2.05 Three Musketeers and Zeroshadesofgrey were both beaten favourites last time out but both showed promise. My selection is Three Musketeers with a small saver on Zeroshadesofgrey.

3.15 Champers on Ice has the best form credentials and has to be the selection. Minella Awards is a horse with considerable potential and any market move in his direction should not be ignored.

3.45 Wait for me has impressive bumper form and should go well over hurdles. He is the selection. At a bigger price Bun Doran looks interesting.

Doncaster

12.15 Billy Biscuit.