Hi all,
Conor Orr gave Screaming Colours a lovely ride to win the Midlands Grand National. It was good to end the day with another profit after a challenging week. And, it could have been better I went with wrong Emma Lavelle in the handicap chase at Kempton.
It’s going to be case of “After the Lord Mayor’s Show” now until the start of the new turf flat season which is now less than a week away.
Pretty moderate stuff today with the best races being the fifteen runners Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase (3:35) at Downpatrick and the fourth leg of The Veterans’ Chase Series at Carlisle (2:55). I have selections from both tracks for you today including the Ulster National.
I will be taking a couple of days break to recharge the batteries after a very intensive period of punting. I may have something for Haydock on Wednesday. If not, I will be back for the ‘Go North’ Finals Day which is being held at Musselburgh on Friday.
Downpatrick
3:45 – Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase – 3m 4 ½ f
Joshua Webb put in career best over fences when a 7 lengths 2nd of 7 in a beginners chase at Gowran 8-days ago. The first time cheekpieces seemed to have the desired effect that day but the 7-year-old has a mile further to go here.
Peaches And Cream, is1-9 over fences, did best of those held up when a 12-length 4th of 16 to Run Wild Fred in the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan when last in action back in November. The 7-year-old could well find more improvement for the step up to this marathon trip and drying ground will also suit.Stablemate Spades Are Trumps doesn’t have the most appealing of win records 2 wins from 23 runs. That said he’s useful on a going day. A winner of a Kilbeggan beginners chase back in August but he’s since run poorly in the Cork National and back down in trip in Fairyhouse novice chase last time. Mark McDonagh does take off a handy here 7lb though.
Envol Pierj would have to be respected on his 1 ½ length 3rd of 12 at Down Royal (3m) on his seasonal reappearance two starts back. The 8-year-old didn’t really build on that promise next time when only a 17-length 4th of 10 at Punchestown last time. Not the most reliable but he could be suited by today’s step up in trip and the yard has its horses in winning form in the past two weeks.
First reserve Conquredalofeurope and Thunderosa were second & third respectively in a 11 runner 3m handicap chase at Navan last month. There was just ½ length between the pair that day and both shaped like a further step up in trip will suit. Of the pair the first named looks the more reliable but Thunderosa can’t be ruled out if in the same form today.
Portstorm has been well beaten on all three starts in beginners’ chases this season. However, he ran much better over hurdles last time when a 4 ½ length 2nd of 9 at Punchestown last month. Handicap chase debut, over an extended 3m 4f, could be ideal for the 7-year-old and he’s come in for some support in the early bird betting.
Verdict: Portstorm lacks chase experience but he looks nicely treated based on his best form over hurdles. Conquredalofeurope would be interesting if getting into the race as is Thunderosa who will either love this unique track or hate it. If it’s the former he will be in the mix. The Gavin Cromwell pair of Peaches And Cream & Hearts Are Trumps are respected with preference for the former on drying ground. Envol Pierj hails from an inform yard and is respected on his best form.
1pt win – Peaches And Cream – 15/2 @Bet365
1pt win – Envol Pierji – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:15 – A chance is taken with Dragon’s Pass. The 6-year-old returned from a 10-week absence when a 3-length 4th of 18 at Navan 26-days ago. The mare isn’t the quickest and shaped at Navan like she would be worth a try over further. Hopes are pinned on the first time cheekpieces sharpening her up for the drop back to 2m 3f.
1pt win – Dragons’s Pass – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Carlisle
2:55 – The likes of recent Doncaster Veterans qualifier winner Up Helly Aa King and Belami Des Pictons will have their supporters although the drying ground isn’t a positive for either horse’s chance.
Smooth Stepper won this race 12 months ago. He’s now 7lb below that mark and is well handicapped but it was soft when he won last year and he’s another who might find the ground has gone against him.
Uncle Alastair, a three-time winner over hurdles, including here, has placed on all his four starts over fences. He hasn’t been the easiest start as this his only his fourth start since finishing a 2-length 2nd of 13 to Vinndication in a 2m 4f novice chase back in November 2018. The 10-year-old has finished runner-up on both starts this season, including when a ½ length 2nd of 9 to Tango Papa Charley here over 2m 5f on his seasonal return. The step up to 3m should suit and he looks on a decent mark but his best form has come on soft ground.
Some Chaos arguably needs the ground to dry out further as all his best performances have come on good ground. The 11-year-old looked revitalized by a summer wind operation when winning a Chepstow veterans handicap chase, off today’s mark back in October. He’s since pulled up in three subsequent starts, albeit in much stronger handicap chases than this. He should appreciate the return to veteran company and if the ground dries out then he could well bounce back to winning ways here.
Verdict: Last year’s winner Smooth Stepper is respected off a lower mark this time around. Uncle Alastair looks a worthy market leader given his lightly raced profile. Some Chaos will like the drying ground and is back to down a winnable mark if bouncing back from three underwhelming efforts since winning a veterans chase at Chepstow.
0.5pts win – Some Chaos – 10/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John