The first day of the open meeting was dominated by David
Pipe and Nicky Henderson, which means that it’s only a matter of time for Paul
Nicholls to step up to the mark and land a big pot. Many will associate his name
with Mon Parrain in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but he could be in the winners enclose
long before with Promising Anshan in the Rewards4Racing Handicap Chase (1.55).
One of quite a few promising recruits to Ditcheat, Promising
Anshan was having only his fifth start when third in the United House Gold Cup
at Ascot, having travelled like a dream all the way round. He was on the bridle
when making a hash of the third last but still kept with the well handicapped
and classy front pair all the way to the line.
The lack of a run can’t have helped, and neither could his
lack of chase experience, so he should be better prepared for this and the
extra trip should be no problem at all. A 4lbs rise is very fair and there’s
every reason to take full advantage of the 9/2 available with Hills right now
before he gets supported on raceday. It’s a strong race, with Chicago Grey sure
to love the step up in trip from the Charlie Hall. He should go well although
he’s not quite got the appeal of the Nicholls runner. Galaxy Rock has lots of
course form, jumps well, stays well and should come on hugely for his first run
over hurdles, and he’s one of a few who could go quite well although the only
horse I had a major liking for was West End Rocker of Alan King’s – a horse who
just stays and stays and stays.
The Walsh/Nicholls combination will be fancied to win the fiercely
competitive staying handicap hurdle (3.10) with Oscargo and his form is potentially
better than a mark of 124 but this is a massive task on his second run and he’s
passed over in favour of Cantlow, who travelled well when fourth behind
Restless Harry in the Grade 2 John Smith’s Hurdle. That was a big ask on his
seasonal debut and on just his 5th start over hurdles. With that
behind him he can go well here and 8/1 is worth a poke.
And last but not least, the Dermot Weld filly Unaccompanied
looks good to open her account for this season in the Fishery Lane Hurdle
(1.25). Dermot Weld’s charge emerged as Ireland’s main Triumph hope following
on from an impressive win over her main rival today, Sailors Warn. She put
further distance between the two in the Triumph, and she was well over the top
when beaten behind Grandouet at Punchestown and can land this before going onto
tougher things. Willlie Mullin’s Quel Esprit (12.50) also makes appeal but
there’s a danger of him being ring rusty over a trip that doesn’t really suit
in my opinion.
Advice
2 pts win Promising Anshan, 1.55 Cheltenham (9/2 Hills)
1 pt each/way Cantlow, (8/1 Hills, Boylesports)
2 pts win Unaccompanied (5/4 Boylesports, Paddy Power)
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