Hi all,
Unowhatimeanharry & Modus did the business at Aintree to provide an excellent Saturday profit. Still struggling to nail the big the races but the Troytown Handicap, at Navan, this afternoon provides another opportunity in that regard.
Navan
1:35 – Ladbrokes Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 3m
Very useful handicap hurdler The Jam Man heads the market. The 7-year-old who improved over hurdlers last season and can race off a 14lb lower mark over fences. Has been running well on the flat of late and If he can reproduce his best hurdle form back over fences, he’s going to be hard to beat here.
Plan Of Attack had some good form in handicap chases last season, including finishing third in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown last Christmas and 4th of 23 in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. Pulled up on his seasonal return in the Kerry National. He was struck into there so if you forgive that run, he’s player.
Discordantly was a shade inconsistent over fences last season but did win a beginners Chase at Gowran Park in March. The 6-year-old put it altogether when winning at Galway (soft) on his seasonal reappearance 14-days ago. He’s up 10lb for that success which isn’t to excessive as there should be more improvement to come for the step up to 3m. He won’t be far away if he jumps as well as he did last time.
Gordon Elliott won the race four times between 2014-2017. He saddles 10 of the 22 runners in this year’s race. The two I like most are Aforementioned comes into the race on a roll after win at Clonmel and in the Munster National (soft). Up 9lb but there could be more to come form the 7-year-old.
The other Elliott runner I like is top-weight Death Duty. A Grade 1 winner as novice in December 2017. He was off the track for 758-days before returning to action in January. Four runs last season weren’t devoid of promise and its’ worth noting he was backed into 8/1 for a big handicap chase at the Cheltenham in March. He’s 3-3 at Navan and he goes well on soft and heavy. First run for 229-days but is 3-3 when racing 121 to 365-days since his last start. He looks on a good mark on the best of his back form, especially with a handy 5lb claimed off his back.
Portmore Lough was a solid third in this race 12 months ago and returned to something like hie best when runner-up to Aforementioned in the Munster National. He gets a 6lb pull with that one today and looks set for another good run.
Fitzhenry was runner-up 12 months ago and then went on to occupy the same position in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown. Had a nice spin over hurdles at Tipperary last month which should have him spot on for today and looks set for another big run here.
Verdict: The Jam Man could be very well handicapped. However,ff Gordon Elliott has Death Duty back to anything like he’s best he would take some stopping here. There should be more to come from Discordantly for the step up to 3m. The likes of Portmore Lough and Fitzhenry have place claims once more and Plan Of Attack can go well if bouncing from a poor run in the Kerry National.
1pt win – Death Duty – 11/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Discordantly -11/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Sandown
There’s a decent seven race card at Sandown this afternoon with the veterans’ chase at 3:30 the highlight. The going at Sandown is soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles track but good, good to soft in places on the chase course
3:30 – The ten runners in this 3m veteran’s chase have won 54 races between them and it looks a competitive race.
Step Back won the Bet365 Gold Cup here over 3m 5f in April 2018. Struggled after but finished third in the same race the following season. Just the two starts since and got back on track when making all to beat two rivals at Wincanton 14-days ago. Up 3lb, the 10-year-old is at his best going right-handed and if Jack Tudor can get him into a good jumping rhythm once again, he could be hard to peg back even over a trip that could be a bit short of his best. He’s 3-8 +5.12 5 places over fences on good or good to soft.
Crosspark advertised his well being when runner-up in veterans chase at Chepstow last month. Two seasons back he won the Eider Chase and finished runner-up in the Scottish Grand National. Goes very well on a sound surface and should go well over a trip that’s probably a bit on the short side for the 10-year-old.
Top-weight Gold Present is having his first start since a summer wind-op. Three miles looks his optimum trip and he goes well on a sound surface. First start for 337-days but has won twice off a layoff in the past. Nicely treated on his best form and today’s going should show him at his best if the wind -op has worked.
Verdict: I’m hoping the wind-op has the desired effect on Gold Present who could have a bit too much speed for Step Back and Crosspark over 3m.
1pt win – Gold Present – 6/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
There’s a busy week end to the week with three days from Cheltenham, starting on Friday all being covered by ITV and as bonus they’re also broadcasting six races from Clonmel & Taunton on Thursday.
Watch your inboxes for any selections before Thursday.
Cheers
John