Hi all,
There is no eyecatchers article this week. Last weekend’s action wasn’t the easiest the eye and I have been concentrating my time on Cheltenham Festival preparation.
The next eyecatchers will be in two weeks and will look back at Cheltenham and focus on horses who could be headed for Aintree or Punchestown, etc.
Over the next couple of days, I’m going to share with you some Cheltenham Festival race trends. The first two will be with you later today.
Until then. Here’s a couple of selections from this afternoon’s action at Navan.
Navan
3:40 – Sizing Pottsie, got off the mark on just his second start over fences when making all to win in a beginners’ chase in good style at Fairyhouse 10-days ago. Interesting to see connections step him up into Grade 3 company today. The 6-year-old is suited to 2m, on heavy ground and given he’s lightly raced is open to plenty of improvement over the larger obstacles.
1pt win – Sizing Pottsie – 4/1 – Gen
4:40 – Mick The Jiver won over C&D back in December off 7lb lower and wasn’t disgraced when finishing 7th in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. Disappointing that he wasn’t able to take advantage of a much lower hurdle mark at Punchestown last time but he’s a chaser than a hurdler. Two from two over C&D, both with heavy in the going description and back in calmer waters today after his Thyestes run.
Mr Diablo is on a long losing run which dates back to March 2017 but three of his best four RPR’s have come at Navan and last season he finished runner-up in the Troytown Handicap Chase and occupied the same position in this race 12 months ago, off 5lb higher. Now down in the weights and rates a danger to likely favourite Mick The Jiver.
1pt win – Mr Diablo – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2pts win – Mick The Jiver – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Newcastle
3:20 – Oscar Ceremony, a winner at Kelso back in October bounced back to form when winning a soft ground handicap chase at Musselburgh 14-days ago. The 9-year-old has only had the five starts over fences, winning two so is capable of more progress over the larger obstacles. Has been raised 5lb for his Musselburgh win but that was a career best effort and could underestimate him.
1pt win – Oscar Ceremony – 10/3 @ Bet365
Cheers
John
Cheers
John