1 pt win Vendor, 12.55 Newbury
Alan King has had a terrific time of things with some big successes
– the likes of Raya Star, and West End Rocker joining some impressive prospects
like his wide margin winner Grumeti yesterday at Taunton – and his Vendor looks
like a fascinating recruit to the juvenile scene.
Still a maiden – he had some jumping issues in France – he was
running a big race when falling at the last in the Prix Cambarces, the French
equivalent of the Triumph, when last seen just 55 days ago. King is very good
with Juvenile hurdlers (and also at Newbury too) and the positive mention he
got in the midweek column for the Weekender augurs well for his chances here.
Tango De Juliey would look to be his main rival on form, but he has to give
10lbs to the selection and that’s a big advantage.
2 pts win All The Aces, 1.30 Newbury
Soft ground is a possible stumbling point, but Nicky
Henderson’s All The Aces looks to have a fantastic opportunity to open his hurdling
account today. A Listed winner on the flat, he made an excellent debut when beaten
by Prospect Wells, a previous Grade 2 second and subsequent Ladbroke fourth,
and when well ahead of Carraigmona King, who came close to winning at Taunton
yesterday in a strong event.
Champion Bumper second Destroyer Deployed is a big rival but
he’s not run since then and in any case, All The Aces represents a stiff task
for him here, while Vivre Libre needs to be much better than he was on his
hurdling debut at Leicester in a weaker event.
2.5 pts win Mikael D’Haugenet, 1.35 Punchestown (4/9 Paddy
Power)
Despite a disappointing debut chase campaign, Mikael D’Haugenet
looks an obvious choice in this conditions hurdle. Winner of the Ballymore
Hurdle in 2009, injures have probably contributed to him not living upto expectations
(along with a heavy fall in the Drinmore Novice Chase last season) but his easy
win in a Fairyhouse conditions hurdle showed he hadn’t totally gone at the game
and a reproduction of that would see him beat Western Leader (who has been off
the track for 631 days), Benash (only 6 lengths behind the pick on his latest
starts although very well held) and Karabak, who was beaten 100 lengths when
last of 6 in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown just a couple of days ago.
1 pt win Darroun, 2.10 Punchestown
El Teroreros is likely to be a popular pick after his fifth
in Grade 2 company but that looks like a weak race and Darroun rates a
promising proposition. Thrice raced on
the flat in France, he was with Alain De Royer Dupre before moving to the
Mullins yard after winning a minor event at Nort-sur-erdre in June. He’s sure
to have schooled well since arriving and it would be no surprise if he were
good enough to take this on debut.
1 pt All favourites to be placed at Newbury today (50/1
Skybet)
This is one of those bets that can be dead in the water but
it landed at Kempton on Boxing Day and it’s worth a poke at 50/1 with Skybet.
The current favourites for now read
12.20 (Night Alliance) – Showed real courage on his chasing
debut to get the better of the progressive That’lldoboy at Cheltenham last time
out. The second has since run well again (going to take a hand when falling at
Kempton on Boxing Day) and he’s only gone up 4lbs since, so stands an excellent
chance of winning his race, while he does have a heavy ground win to his name
so softening conditions won’t be that harmful to him.
12.55 (Vendor) – As said above, holds top class French form
to his name (would have been close up despite looking beaten) when falling at
the last in Grade 1. That form been let down a bit but still has a lot of
talent and we know soft ground won’t be a problem for him, so that, along with
the 10lbs he gets from Tango De Juiley, offers him a big opportunity on his UK
hurdling debut.
1.25 (All The Aces) -
Testing ground is a possible poser but an excellent hurdling debut at
this track behind Prospect Wells has since been boosted with the winner’s
fourth in the Ladbroke Hurdle while the second also ran really well at Taunton
yesterday in a good event. Destroyer Deployed is a big danger but Nicky
Henderson’s charge has the advantage of a recent run (while that also comes
over hurdles) which is a big advantage.
2.05 (Walkon) – The first of a few tricky legs as he must
win but that’s factored into 50/1. His hugely impressive debut win at Exeter
has since been boosted by the second and third and given that this is his
second season hurdling he should theoretically improve for that run while he
know he handles heavy ground thanks to his juvenile form.
2.35 (Quotica De Poyans) – Not the most convincing from this
point of view but still ran a big race on his handicap debut (which was also
his seasonal reappearance) before bungling the last, which ended his chances.
Basic improvement for the run suggests he has a big chance.
3.05 (Fingal Bay) – Looks top class after 4 wins from 4
starts and if anything, this looks far easier than his recent task at Sandown
when beating Simonsig. Massive shock if beaten.
3.40 (Olofi) – Probably the hardest of the lot but he’s got
several good runs to his name in competitive handicaps and once again ran a big
race when second in the Greatwood. Soft ground isn’t a problem (although the
heavy in placed could be) and he’s got a big chance even off a 6lbs higher
mark.
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