A long time fancy of ours for the Pertemps last year,
Holywell is backed to get our handicap ping week off to a terrific start in the
Balyis and Harding Handicap Chase (2.40). Then second to Solwhit at Aintree
over hurdles, he has since taken his time with fences, and is yet to truly
impressive with his jumping, but has found the trips he’s been placed over
inadequate for his stamina as shown by his latest Doncaster novice chase win
and while an opening mark of 145 is high enough, it is worth remerging he was
rated nearly 160 over hurdles before switching and this has the feel of having
been a long term plan for him.
Our second horse of interest in a race where nothing can be
discounted is Tour Des Champs. Eighth in this last term, he is now a full 8lbs lower
and appears to be entering this race in not only better form, but with crucial
big race experience behind him, having since finished fourth in the Scottish
National along with running regularly in big races since. His December effort
in the Welsh National was disappointing but easily forgiven and the form of his
third in Kempton’s BetBright Chase seems sound based on those directly in
behind. Under cheekpieces, Time For
Rupert’s price has collapsed but he is still worth looking at closely.
Of the favourites, previous winner Alfie Sherrin should be
respected off a very handy mark despite his age – clearly not an issue to Tony
McCoy – while Hadrian’s Approach, like Holywell, will be well treated if his
jumping holds up, and at a much bigger price Shakalakaboomboom may be well
treated following his two sighters this season and when King Massini was last
seen he was well on the upgrade.
Quevega is an obvious favourite to make history with a
record sixth Mares’ Hurdle on the bounce and if she is in the same form she is
for each of her reappearances, it is likely to be too hard for anything to stop
her. However, last year trouble in running raw her at her limit to pass most of
the field and fly up the hill and there is a slight worry at 10, albeit so slightly
raced, a similar situation – that can’t be ruled out could spell trouble,
enough so that the 5/6 isn’t the major bet that we would like it to be for all
that she should win and that
Sirene D’Ainay was a close second last year, and with recent
runs in France a positive suggesting that she is over whatever was ailing her
earlier in the season with a string of poor runs, and with doubts over her form
allayed by her recent win she makes obvious appeal from a value persective as
an each/way bet if ready to run to the same form that she showed last season
there’s no reason that she can’t give Quevega another serious race today and
the 10/1 each/way on her seems much more attractive than the 5/6 on Quevega.
In a competitive race there is many an option for an
each/way bet, and Cockney Sparrow, getting the worst of it when falling against
Annie Power at Doncaster but an impressive second the time before in the
Fighting Fifth, would be a rock solid each/way if she had shown form over 2m1f
so far – if she lasts home expect to se her play a prominent part at the
finish.
Calin Annamh’s impressive winning sequence came in the
middle of last summer and the fact that she hasn’t been seen is a slight worry
for all that there may still be more to come and Highland Retreat can also go
well for value seekers at 18/1 with her confirmed stamina a big positive and
she is preferred over Glen’s Melody, whose reference for testing ground seems
clear. L’Unique was best of the rest for me.
The gambled on Shutthefrontdoor is expected to take the
beating in the National Hunt Chase (4.40) and he can go close for Jonjo O’Neill
and Nina Carberry, but the slight doubt over his lack of an appearance since
his winder operation – he disappointed badly in November – leads one to Shotgun
Paddy, who has to prove that he can handle the ground but has the best form
courtesy of his romp in the Tote Classic Chase at Warwick and his own
experience in a big field chase along with the proficiency of his jumping –
which has been flawless in the main for all of his four starts – edges him a
tight verdict with Foxrock, who is in the same boat of having something to
prove regarding the surface today but also has some of the best form to his
name. As useful as Suntiep may turn out to be, and as solid as Midnight Prayer
looks, those three look to be the ones to focus upon.
The last race of the day, the Rewards4Racing Novices
Handicap Chase, is a wide open renewal with any number entitled to a chance.
Going into detail about all 20 will help nobody here, so Buthelzi and Art of
Logistics get the votes between them. John Ferguson’s charge has plenty going
for him if handling the big field while Art of Logistics may have fallen short
the last twice in Grade 1 company but has looked good whenever he’s been on
good ground which he hasn’t received the last twice and this race looks to be
well within his compass today.
Advice
2.40 Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Holywell (10/1 general), 1
pt each/way Tour Des Champs (16/1 general)
4.00 Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Sirene D’Ainay (10/1
general)
4.40 Cheltenham – 1 pt win Shotgun Paddy (5/1 general)
5.15 – Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Art Of Logistics (8/1
general), 1 pt each/way Buthelezi (25/1 general)
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