ahorse

 

Bless the Wings 2.00 Wetherby

The main race at Down Royal is the Grade 2 hurdles at 2.05. Monksland won a Grade 2 at Navan last season and was 3^rd at Cheltenham behind Simonsig. He won a Down Royal bumper last season first time out so he presumably goes well fresh. He looks the sort to go chasing eventually but the stable are clearly hoping to win with him over timber first. Ideally he would probably prefer a longer trip and more give in the ground which deters me from going over board at odds of 6/4.

At Uttoxeter the 12.50 is of interest. Explained and Alpancho are contenders based on their bumper form but I just prefer Up to Something who is a tough sort with a taking attitude.

Eleven Fifty Nine and Call me a Star were first and second in the Aintree bumper at the Grand National meeting. Over this 2 mile trip Call me a Star may have too much pace for her rival in the 1.20.

At Wetherby Beeves and Mr Watson look the ones to concentrate on in the 1.00. My slight preference would be for Mr Watson.

Sametegal looks an interesting French recruit for Paul Nicholls in the 2.35.

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

Stratford

1.10 Bucking the Trend was an easy points winner and finished runner up in a Ffos Las bumper. Her is one to consider as is Barenger who won a Newbury bumper before showing promise in a couple of runs over hurdles. Whisky Yankee is well thought of by his trainer and could eb the best of these.

2.40 Polly Peachum is related to Denman (pictured below) and has decent bumper form.  Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.

 

Haydock

2.50 Ma Filleule has some smart chase form in France and a good jumping pedigree. Should be good enough here over hurdles but the price looks skinny.

3.20 Satou will be suited by the trip and the ground as long as we don’t get too much more rain.

Punchestown selection

1.15 Buckers Bridge

 

Taunton

1.30 Sleeping City crashed out at the second hurdles on Saturday but as long as that hasn’t dented his confidence he should go well here. The stable has not really started firing though which is a concern

Aintree

1.10 Vendor

1.40 For Two

2.15 Dawn Commander

4.00 Clondaw Kaempfer

Wincanton

1.20 Sleeping City

 

 

Aintree

4.35 Unioniste

5.10 Gevrey Chambertin

Chepstow

2.05 Big Society

2.35 Knock a Hand

3.40 Wonderful Charm

Newcastle

12.30 Eduard

 

Carlisle

5.00 Super Duty is an interesting newcomer to chasing. This trip will be on the short side for him but he may well be good enough anyway.

 

Fontwell

4.00 Pearls Legend

Worcester

1.40 Seven Woods

2.40 Catch the Rhythm

4.55 Fox Run (danger Horatio Hornblower)

5.30 Josh’s Dreamway