Hennessy day is always something to be savoured and this
year’s offering is no different. The big event may not have the obvious gold
cup prospects that some want but that’s not necessarily needed for a great race
and with Binocular and Big Bucks returning too, it promises to be a great day.
Talking of top horses, we saw two more to follow throughout
the season yesterday when Bobs Worth got the better of Cue Card in the last
stride of the 2m4f Novices Chase. That’s now 6 wins from 7 starts for Bobs
Worth, and winning over a trip which could have been called short for him based
on his Cheltenham Festival win on his chasing and seasonal debut was a good
effort. Nicky Henderson’s charge should improve on more than one count for this
and is well worth keeping a good eye on as far as the RSA Chase is concerned,
as he could have a lot more to offer. Supporters
of Cue Card would obviously be very disappointed with getting caught in the
last stride but it’s worth remembering that he was giving 7lbs to the winner, having
raced keenly all the way. It’s evident that Tizzard’s charge needs to learn how
to settle but in terms of his Arkle chances he surely enhanced his prospects and
it looks as if he’s going to make into at least as good a chaser as he was a
hurdler, although what that means for him Arkle wise isn’t
Colin Tizzard could literally be having the last laugh tomorrow
if Coup Royale (3.45) can reproduce anything close to his Kempton romp back in February,
where he made a mistake at all but three fences but still won by 8 lengths on
the bridle, having looked ready to be pulled up when turning for home. Quite how
he did it is hard to describe (although Joe Tizzard’s good ride might have had
a hand in that) but he’s surely got more to offer after that and I can’t let
him go unbacked at 5’s despite this being a better race which will test his
jumping more, although it would be hoped that he’s had a good bit of schooling
since to brush up on his jumping.
He could also be going into that race on a bit of a high if
his Hey Big Spender (below) can win the Rehersal Chase (3.30) at Newcastle beforehand.
A winner at Cheltenham’s trials day, Colin Tizzard’s horse has only won twice
since but he’s always shown the talent which led to him getting a mark of 150
(his last winning mark, the one he runs off today) and with a good opening run
at Cheltenham behind him, he could take some beating despite topweight today.
Another topweight of sorts who could take some beating could
be Aikman in the opener (12.00). Although he’d need to “better his previous
chase form to win this” according to the Racing Post, he’s always showed good
form over hurdles, beating Grade 1 winner Minella Class over hurdles at
Huntingdon before respectable efforts at the major festivals. He’s been well
beaten on his two chase starts so far but he bumped into a decent horse in
Sarando last time and the 2 mile trip might have been a bit short for him on
his debut. If there’s a race over fences in him it should be something like
this and the 11/4 that he can do so tomorrow is more than fair enough.
The last Newcastle selection is Allthekingshorses, who
impressed when turning over an 8/11 favourite on his seasonal debut at Exeter,
finding loads for pressure and jumping well especially when asked. This is a
tough affair with quite a few holding decent chances but the second horse he
beat that day was very well regarded and the third (who had already had the advantage
of a run) held decent form having been well beaten by the impressive Chepstow
Winner African Broadway.
Miss Kalifa and Theatrical Star should both run big races
(with the small matter of Rowdy Rocher too) but Hobbs’s horse looked like he
had a future when winning at Exeter and is followed here.
Advice
1 pt win Aikman, 12.00 Newcastle (11/4 Paddy Power,
Boylesports)
2 pts win Allthekingshorses, 1.10 Newcastle (7/4 Paddy
Power)
1 pt win Hey Big Spender, 3.30 Newcastle (9/2 general)
1 pt win Coup Royale, 3.45 Newbury (5/1 Hills, Ladbrokes)
No comments:
Post a Comment