1 pt win Hidden Cyclone, 12.55 Leopardstown (evs Paddy
Power)
In a fascinating Beginners chase (probably the strongest
event of it’s type run all season), John Hanlon’s Hidden Cyclone has a very
stiff task on his chasing debut, but such is his scope that even an opening
show of evens with Paddy Power looks worth taking.
A 5 time winner over hurdles, he’s only been beaten by First
Lieutenant (a Cheltenham Festival winner since) and Zaidpour (who has since won
twice this season, as well as being a previous Grade 1 winner over hurdles) at
this meeting last year, and he has since won three on the bounce, giving
upwards of 2lbs to his rivals on every occasion. Those weight carrying starts
read impressively and he’s always been described as a chaser in waiting by his
trainer and with a win on good ground (albeit that being his bumper win) the
ground isn’t of a huge concern – They wouldn’t be risking such a prospect in
any case.
Shot From The Hip, a Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown
Festival when last seen (by an easy 9 lengths) is obviously a big threat on his
best form, for all that he didn’t get anywhere as close to Zaidpour here than
Hidden Cyclone did, although he may be better on this good ground (not a theory
I’d subscribe to given that he’s a winner on heavy).
Others in a useful field include Celtic Folklore, who shaped
extremely well when winning his first two starts before coming second (albeit
well beaten) at the Punchestown Festival, and Nearest The Pin, whose last win
came on good ground.
1 pt win Ile De Re, 12.10 Doncaster
Quite a few useful types appear on the start of a good card
at Doncaster but it may be that Ile De Re could prove best of them here. A
useful stayer on the flat (rated 94), the son of Daylami landed the staying
handicap on Shergar Cup day at Ascot after a promising effort at the Royal
Meeting, before pulling too hard in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock.
His form tailed off since then but a decent hurdling debut
on energy sapping ground at Aintree showed promise when behind Keys (a three
time flat winner and Listed bumper winner) and Cinders and Ashes, fifth in the Champion
Bumper at Cheltenham) and with that behind him he could be very tough to beat
here.
1 pt win Prince Of Pirates, 12.45 Doncaster
A fascinating novice chase which represents a good opportunity
for Nicky Henderson’s Prince Of Pirates. A good bumper winner, he had horses
like Bobs Worth and Captain Chris behind him, before then disappointing at the
Curragh. Back in the UK and over hurdles, he was still going well when Al Ferof
fell at Cheltenham, leaving him to run out a fairly ready winner. That race was
weak but it still represented a decent effort.
Given a lot of time off since (apparently he came back from
his Cheltenham win lame behind) he disappointed at Punchestown in the spring
but still has potential from that and it would be foolish to assume that he
couldn’t win more races. If he settles well enough tomorrow, he should go very
close to making a winning Chasing debut.
2 pts win Tour D’Argent, 1.10 Doncaster
Tour D’Argent hasn’t quite fulfilled the promise of his
impressive bumper win since but he has as good an opportunity as he’ll get to notch
a second win today. Well beaten by Oscar
Magic on his second start, he was outclassed in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree
and ran better (if not a little keenly) when second at Warwick over 2m5f. With
the drop back to 2 miles no problem and that stamina in reserve should he race enthusiastically
Michael Buckley’s charge should be hard to beat.
1 pt win Lively Baron, 1.45 Doncaster (7/2 Bet365)
An interesting novice chase which was taken by Beshbar on
his way to a Scottish National last year, in which Lively Baron gets the vote
courtesy of his 16lbs weight turnaround with Harry The Viking when they met in
the three mile novice at this track 20 days ago.
Donald McCain’s charge was readily left behind by Saint Are
and Harry The Viking there but still managed to get within 5 lengths that day
which dictates that he must have a big chance at these revised weights just by
the means of simple logic, and he’s taken to reverse the form despite the added
threat of Granduation Knight, who was impressive when winning his third race in
a row at Ascot last time out.
1 pt win Lie Forrit, 12.30 Kelso
A fascinating race which sees three promising last time
winners go head to head. John Wade’s Moon Indigo was beaten 17 lengths by Bold
Sir Brian when they met over hurdles last year, which would take him out of the
equation given that Lucinda Rusell’s charge seems to have gotten the hang of
chasing with an easy enough win last time, although that was an easy event.
Both may have to give second best to Lie Forrit, who came
back from injury with an excellent and typically gutsy win on his chase debut
having been off the track with injury. If not bouncing from that, he has an excellent
chance here.
Seen as a possible dark horse for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle
at last season's Cheltenham Festival after successive victories in a Listed
race at Cheltenham and under top weight in a handicap at Newbury last November,
he disappointed when stepped up to Graded company before then suffering a
tendon injury which ruled him out for 626 days. He never got the chance to show
his true class over hurdles but he was rated 148 at his best which gives him a
solid form look here.
Solix: Had a big reputation thanks to high class French form
(Grade 3 winner in convincing style) and didn’t perform without promise on
first UK starts in hindsight; Jumped poorly at Ascot but better as race went
on, when coming well clear of Duke Of Lucca (winner next time); Worry about his
error strewn round of jumping when winning weaker event over C&D and needs
more today giving upwards of 3lbs. 
Champion Court: Had the makings of a very useful prospect
last season, winning Grade 2 at this meeting last year and ending up with a
fourth at the Festival; Shown promise over fences, winning well before then being
given too hard a task when trying to give 5lbs to Grands Crus (needed a longer
trip); Well held third over 3m last time and not sure what the drop down in
trip does for him.
Invictus: Been excellent in two starts over fences, romping
away at Hereford and Plumpton, beating good field last time out with ease; Yard
in good form and should go very well here. 
Saint Are: Saint Are: Cannily placed to win Grade 1 at
Aintree last season having shown promise beforehand in novice hurdles; Decent
debut when behind Champion Court over a trip too short for him but not gone on
from that and pretty sure that he needs longer.
Sonofvic: Point winner who looked like a very decent sort
when winning twice over hurdles, making deep impression when fairly slamming
subsequent winner & Grade 2 third Teaforthree with ease at Ffos Las and
then finding plenty when beating Tornado Bob at Ascot; Cracking chasing debut
when getting to within two lengths of Grands Crus at Newbury, readily outpacing
two good sorts (seasonal debut); Big chance here if improved for that run.
Sybarite: Good over hurdles (Grade 2 second and second in
strong novice hurdle at Kempton); Not been as good over fences, turned over in
easy race on debut before being beaten miles here in two separate events;
Others preferred. 
