Hi all,
A stellar weekend of jump racing continues today.
At Punchestown it’s Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase (2.00). Ten have been declared for the race and they include the likes Envoi Allen, Fakir D’oudairies and Allaho. Down at Cork it’s the Grade 2 Hilly Way (2:20) which sees the eagerly return of the exciting Energumene who faces a tough rival in Notebook.
This side of the Irish Sea Huntingdon stages its most valuable days racing of the year. With feature race of a seven-race card being the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase (1.52). Last year’s race had to be run at Cheltenham due to flooding at Huntingdon. There shouldn’t be any problems with flooding at the track this year. Recent Old Roan Handicap Chase winner Allmankind will be short price to beat his five rivals. Up at Kelso its Scottish Borders National Day with 13 declared for the 4m ½ f marathon.
I have had a look at the four big races in this preview but Have selections in just one race.
Huntingdon
1:52 – Fitzdares Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f
Allmankind goes well on a sound surface and was fully fit for his winning seasonal return in the Old Roan Chase. Looks the one to beat if reproducing his Aintree form here.
He does face several decent rivals. Master Tommytucker looked as good as ever when a 4-length 2nd of 6 to Lostintranslation in 1965 Chase at Ascot last time. A previous C&D winner, the 10-year-old won’t go down without a fight.
Funambule Sivola was steadily progressive over fences last season. Ended the campaign with a personal best when 3 ¼ length 2nd of 5 to Shishkin in a Grade 1 Novices Chase at Aintree. Was likely a shade flattered to get as close to the winner that day who seemingly wasn’t at his very best that day. Unproven over this sort of trip but respected on his seasonal return.
Eldorado Allen runner-up to Shishkin in last season’s Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The 7-year-old made a winning seasonal reappearance when winning the Haldon Gold Cup (Handicap) at Exeter on his seasonal return
First Flow was completing a six timer when winning the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot in January. Not proven beyond 2m 1f and may be better on softer ground than seems likely today That said he’s got to be respected back going right-handed and did win first time up last season.
Kelso
1:03 – Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 4m ½ f
West Street a useful staying handicap chaser when with Oliver Sherwood shaped well when length 2nd of 12 at Down Royal last time, on just his second start for Gordon Elliott. Stays 4m and despite being an 11-year-old could be capable of better for his new yard.
Almazhar Garde won here over 3m in April (good). Finished a decent 5 ½ lengths 2nd of 8 to Salty Boy in Southern National at Fontwell last time. Vulnerable to stronger stayers over this sort of distance.
Amateur shaped like the run was needed when a 24 ¼ lengths fifth of 11 to Jersey Bean at Haydock last time. Stays 3m 7f and with his Haydock reappearance under his belt should go close.
Dino Boy won this race last year although did benefit from a final fence faller who was going slightly better at the time.
Big River bounced back to form when a 3-length 2nd of 6 here last time. He’s now down to a career low chase mark. You can’t be certain that he will reproduce that effort again. However, his excellent track record, form figures of 112111B12 was bought down in this race in 2019 means he must be respected.
Punchestown
2:00 – John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4 ½ f
Willie Mullins is starting to bring out the big guns now and saddles seven of the ten declared runners.
Envoi Allen easily brushed aside five rivals when winning a Grade 2 at Down Royal on seasonal return. Still to produce a really big figure over fences compared to his two main market rivals but today could be the day.
Fakir D’oudairies won the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree in April and comfortably beat three rivals in the Clonmel Oils Chase on his seasonal return. He’s a high-class chaser on his day and not out of this.
Allaho put in arguably the most impressive chasing performances at the Cheltenham Festival when winning the Ryanair Chase, 12 lengths clear of Fakir D’oudairies. Beat all but Chacun Pour Soi when back over 2m at the Punchestown Festival last time. An aggressive ride over this sort of trip looks ideal but has race fitness to give away here.
Asterion Forlonge’s jumping seemed to hold him back for most last season but he seemed to put his jumping issues behind him when winning 15-runner Novice Handicap Chase under top-weight at the Punchestown Festival last time. Goes well here and fresh so could get into the money.
Cork
2:20 – Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2) – 2m ½ f
Energumene makes his seasonal return here and if the smart chaser, unbeaten on is four starts over fences, is ready to roll on his first start since winning a Grade 1 Novices’ Chase at the Punchestown Festival is the one to beat.
Notebook is just a bit short of Grade 1 company and a winning seasonal return in a Grade 2 at Naas last month. He does have race fitness on his side though and can’t be totally dismissed given his form figures between October & January are 221111121.
Daly Tiger gets weight from Energumene and Notebook here. He will do well to beat the likes of Energumene & Notebook but it’s worth noting he’s 4-4 on his seasonal return and he goes well right-handed.
Betting Advice:
Kelso
1:03 – 1pt win- Big River – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Amateur – 8/1 @Bet365
Cheers
John