Hi all,
My first notebook of 2020.
It’s been a quiet on the betting front this week which I expected. The best of the weeks action takes place over the weekend.
On Saturday it’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle Day at Kempton and at Warwick it’s the Classic Handicap Chase along with two Graded races all part of a seven-race card.
As ever before all that let’s have look back at last week’s action starting on New Year’s Day.
Wednesday January 1st
Cheltenham
There was some high-class racing at Cheltenham producing some good performance and a race that produced the most exciting finishes of the season.
Champ, the 4/11 favourite came down when in the lead two out in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices Chase. Connections will be looking for a confidence booster before the Cheltenham Festival for the 8-year-old.
The finish of the season came in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Handicap Chase. Just two noses separated the first three home. Oldgrangewood got the nod from the judge from Saint Calvados & Lalor.
The form of the race looks strong and the first three home can win more races. Of the three Lalor bounced right back to form in the first time cheekpieces. Both the 8-year-old’s best runs to RPR’s have now come at Cheltenham and he will surely be heading to the Spring Festivals with hope of a win. A winner on good ground he’s also versatile going wise.
Both the 4th Ex Patriot & 5th Mister Whitaker home look up to winning races on their runs here. The latter has a good record at Cheltenham and should come on for his first start of the season. The one to take out of the race though is Ex Patriot.
Ex Patriot – Ellmarie Holden
The Irish raider was given a good sight of the Cheltenham fences. He travelled well for a long way and was still bang there at the last. A drop back in trip could suit the 7-year-old who would be a contender for a strongly run Grand Annual at the festival. He’s been dropped 1lb for his 4 ¾ length defeat and remains one to be interested in for valuable handicap chase.
Kilbricken Storm – Colin Tizzard
The 9-year-old won the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Last season was a bit of a write off after winning on debut over fences. Probably needed the run when 8th of 11 here at the last meeting. Ran well to two out, on his first start since a wind-op, before fading out quickly once headed at the last.
This was much better finishing 3rd of 12 behind winner Skandiburg. Retains plenty of ability that’s for sure and can remain competitive in staying handicap hurdles.
Exeter
Sir Psycho – Paul Nicholls
Sir Psycho looks a juvenile hurdler worth following. A winner at Wincanton his second start over hurdles back in October, ran out the easy winner of the novice hurdle. Taking advantage of the age allowance the soft ground held no terrors for him as he ran out an easy winner in what was a good time for the day at the course. The handicapper has had his say raising the 4-year-old 16lb in the ratings after this win.
Life will be tougher now but he’s going the right way and the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival could come into consideration. A race the trainer has won three times since 2010.
Saturday January 4th
Sandown
Eldorado Allen – Colin Tizzard
Previous C&D winner Eldorado Allen returned from a 392-day break. The 6-year-old was making his handicap hurdle debut off a mark which looked stiff on what he’s achieved when last in action. Although, the suspicion was that he was capable of being high class in the sphere. Held up, he made steady headway it looked like jockey Robbie Power had produced him to win his race coming to the last. However, he couldn’t hold off the eventual winner Mill Green in the final 50yds.
This was a great effort considering he was trying to give 11lb to the winner and he now heads to next month’s Betfair Handicap Hurdle at. He’s been put up 7lb for this effort but still has a big chance at Newbury.
Lingfield
Brigham Young – Ed Walker
Gained his first win at the 10th attempt when putting in a good performance to land the 7f handicap. The time was good for the grade and the 5-year-old appreciated the return to the distance on his first start for 102-days.
Clearly effective over 7f, the son of Street Cry has also run well at Kempton and given he was strong at the finish could well be worth another go back over a mile.
The handicapper has raised him 4lb for this success, but he looks like he can remain competitive off his new mark at this sort of level.
Cheers
John