Hi all,
A nice mix of racing today with Cheltenham hosting it’s first meeting of the jumps season. And where better to begin than at the home of National Hunt racing and competitive handicap hurdle.
Cheltenham
3:00 – quareintheair.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 5f
Dr Richard Newland saddled last year’s winner Duke Street and he’s got a lively contender here in handicap debutant Captain Tom Cat. The 5-year-old has returned from a 416-day layoff in cracking form, winning his last two starts in novice company at Uttoxeter. Steps up from 2m today but was strong at the finish last time so the trip should be within his stamina range. Both wins have come on good ground but seemed to handle soft ground on his point debut.
The likes of Hijack and Hometown Boy look capable of winning more races this season. Exod’ela won on his handicap hurdle debut at Ludlow in February. Looked like the run was needed on his seasonal return at Hexham three weeks ago and could run a big race on a track that could suit.
Another capable of big run is Up The Straight. Third behind Siskin in a Listed race at Huntingdon in February. The 6-year-old won a second novice hurdle at Kempton a month later. He ran well for a long way on his seasonal return at Fontwell 20-days ago (two places behind Hijack). Very much a contender if there is enough ease in the ground.
1pt win – Captain Tom Cat – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt each way – Up The Straight – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:35 – Bentley Flying Spur Handicap Chase – 2m
Another competitive race. Market leaders Rouge Vif and On The Slopes will win more races this season. The former hails from last years winning yard and finished third in last season’s Arkle Novices Chase here. On The Slopes one his last two races of last season at Kempton. Now 7lb higher, He remains on a winnable mark and has form around here. Provided he doesn’t get into a pace duel for the lead he won’t be far away on his seasonal return. The likelihood of strong pace means this race could be set up for a closer like Ballywood who was a respectable 6th of 18 in the Grand Annual at the Festival.
5:15 – An eighteen runner Conditional Jockeys Handicap hurdle concludes the card. Benny’s Bridge is 9lb higher than when successful in this race 12 months ago. First run since a beaten favourite in the Greatwood Hurdle but he won this last year on his seasonal return so fitness shouldn’t be a problem for the 7-year-old. Wild Max won his first two starts over hurdles at Taunton before disappointing at Musselburgh. He gets the first-time tongue tie for his handicap debut and looks set for a big run. Ashington also won twice over hurdles last season before placing in handicap hurdles at Musselburgh. On the latter occasion was an excellent 2nd to Sebastopol. Only beaten ½ length and but for a mistake at the second last could well have won. Should be fitter for a couple spins on the flat and shapes like there’s handicap hurdle in him off his mark, if suited to Cheltenham.
Doncaster
ITV are covering two races from the South Yorkshire track this afternoon.
2:40 – Vertem Investing In The Future Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Tranchee won here two starts back and the found only Gulliver to strong when 2nd off 22 at York 13-days ago. An inform handicap sprinter who should head the market.
Bernardo O’Reilly won over C&D last month, before finishing an eyecatching 6th of 24 in the Ayr Silver Cup. Only 5th of 7 at Nottingham last time. It may pay to excuse that Nottingham run on account of the field size and quickening ground. He’s a better horse in a big field and with juice in the ground neither of which he got last time.
Jonah Jones has been in good form since joining the Ed Walker yard this season. Last time out the 4-year-old put in a career best on RPR’s when 3rd of 11 at Ascot. Beaten a length, he would have finished closer but for being hampered a furlong out. Sent off the 100/30 favourite. The market support he received suggests he’s on a winnable mark. At around 5/1 he would be a bet but at 3/1 I can let him win.
Dazzling Dan struggled earlier in the season of a career high markbut has shaped with more promise on his last two starts. Was unlucky in the run when 4th of 7 at Nottingham two starts back, one place in front of Bernardo O’Reilly, and occupied the same position when trying 7f for the first time at Leicester 10-days ago. A previous C&D winner he’s 8lb below his last winning mark.
1pt each way – Bernardo O’Reilly – 14/1 @ William Hill & Sky Bet (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
1pt each way – Dazzling Dan – 12/1 @ William Hill & Sky Bet (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
3:15 – vertem.co.uk Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 6 ½ f
This looks between. improving last time out winners, Ocean Wind & Opera Gift with a slight preference for the latter.
Cheers
John