Hi all,
Storm Eunice is heading our way and Dundalk, Fakenham and now Lingfield have been abandoned although Dundalk will race on Monday. That leaves just Kelso who passed a precautionary inspection, and Southwell to race.
The Kelso card isn’t a to bad and the Class 2 Racing’s Best Ratings with Timeform Handicap Chase (3:05) is the race of the day.
Kelso
3:05 – Racing’s Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 5 ½ f
Just the six runners but just 1pt separates the first four in the betting which indicates how competitive it is.
The Mighty Arc made it 2-3 over fences when jumping well to make all at Sedgefield last tome. He has been a weak finisher in the past but going from the front has made a difference 7-year-old. He’s up a couple of notches in class here but looks capable of better.
Pay The Piper has been in good form since going chasing this season winning twice and last time finishing a ½ length 2nd of 4 to Kiltealy Briggs in a novice chase at Musselburgh. Consistent enough but vulnerable to any better handicapped rivals. The cheekpieces go on for the first time today which makes him of interest.
Silver Hallmark won a weak Grade 2 novice chase at Haydock last season. Off for nine months he shaped with plenty of promise when 4th of 6 to Fiddlerontheroof in the Colin Parker Intermediate Chase at Carlisle. Well backed (5/2 fav) for the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on his handicap chase debut but never got competitive and was pulled up.
Empire Steel slammed Protektorat in a novice chase at this meeting 12 months ago. He produced a good effort when a close-up 2nd of 7 at Haydock on his seasonal return in November. Looked to be going as well as anything and alongside the leader when taking a heavy fall four out in the Rowland Meyrick. His jumping lacked confidence when pulling up in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock last time and he was pulled up in the straight.
Verdict: The improving The Mighty Arc will be a tough to catch if he’s allowed to dictate as he was last time. The drop in trip should suit Silver Hallmark who remains capable of better. Pay the Piper is a consistent type and if the first time cheekpieces can eke out a bit of improvement then he must be feared. We should know how Empire Steel is likely to go over the first few fences and if his confidence is back then he can win this.
2pts win – Empire Steel – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Pay The Piper – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John