Hi all,
I really excited by today’s racing. At Wetherby there are two Listed races; one a Class 1 handicap chase (2:10) and the other the Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (2:45). There’s also a good supporting card for day one of the Charlie Hall meeting.
At Down Royal it’s the first day of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing. Highlights of a seven-race card at the Ulster track are a Grade 3 mares novices’ hurdle (1:15) and a Grade 2 hurdle (1:50) where Supreme Novices Hurdle runner-up Abacadabras makes his seasonal return to action.
Envoi Allen winner of the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival makes his chase debut in the beginners’ chase (3:00). Unbeaten on all eight career starts he will be long odds on to make a winning start over the larger obstacles.
Wetherby
1:35 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m
Last years winner Fransham heads the market. The 6-year-old didn’t really build on that success on three subsequent starts last season. Should be sharper for a recent run at Market Rasen and must be respected back over C&D, off just a 3lb higher than 12 months ago.
Don’t Hesitate is having her first run since switching from the Willie Mullins to Fergal O’Brien yard. First run for 12 months but she’s won fresh in the past. It will be interesting to see if the stable switch has rejuvenated the mare.
Pop The Cork ended last season with a career best when 2nd of 12 at Warwick in February. Has had a summer wind-op and can’t be dismissed if the going is soft enough.
William H Bonney has been lightly raced since the spring of 2019. A winner on his seasonal return two seasons back, He returned from a 295-day absence to finish 3rd of 13 at Stratford in March. In need of the run on his return when only 5th over C&D 16-days ago and should be spot on fitness wise today.
Marlborough Sounds found plenty for pressure when winning a soft ground handicap hurdle at Fontwell in January. However, stamina seemed to run out when tried over 2m 5f at Kempton the following month. Returned to action with a win on his all-weather debut at Kempton 42-days ago. Despite his soft ground success was withdrawn from a race at Aintree on Sunday due to soft ground.
2:10 – Cash Out At bet365 Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1) – 2m 3 ½ f
A competitive renewal of the race which has attracted a good-sized field of 12 and there are plenty in with a chance.
Two For Gold is the ante-post favourite. The 7-year-old won his first three starts over fences last season, including a Warwick Grade 2 novices chase (3m) in January. Proved no match for Copperhead when runner-up in the Reynoldstown Novices Chase 258-days ago. Soft ground suits the 7-year-old and looks a worthy favourite despite the drop in distance for his seasonal reappearance.
Born Survivor won this race in 2018 and went on to win a valuable handicap chase at Ayr in the spring of 2019. Was only 4th in this last year but the ground was soft and his best form has come on good or good to soft.
Happy Diva was runner-up 12 months ago before going on to win the Paddy Power at Cheltenham. Ended last season with an excellent 2nd of 23 at the Cheltenham Festival. Career high mark to defy and may be better for the run as she was last year.
Huntsmans Son looked a progressive young chaser at this sort of distance when last seen in action. First start for 538-days here and is suited to good or good to soft ground. Remains unexposed over fences. Can go well if ready to roll after his long absence and the ground isn’t too soft.
Joke Dancer had a recent prep over hurdles at the last meeting. Two from six over fences. The 7-year-old tended to jump markedly to his right in his races last season and gets the first time cheekpieces today. On a good mark, just 3lb above his last winning mark but will need to jump straighter in this company.
Charmant won over C&D in January, off 6lb lower. He’s unexposed over this sort of trip. Goes well on soft ground and has won fresh in the past but trainer James Ewart is struggling for winners at present.
Louis Vac Pouch is an interesting runner for Phil Kirby. The 8-year-old has only had three starts since joining his present yard. Wasn’t disgraced when 7th of 23 behind Simply Betts at the Cheltenham Festival in March and was still in contention when hampered by a faller two out that day. Well beaten at Market Rasen on his return 13-days ago but has each way claims on his best form.
1pt win – Two For Gold – 3/1 @ Bet365
1pt each way – Louis Vac Pouch – 10/1 @ Bet365 (paying 3 places ¼ odds)
3:20 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 1m 7f
The Sue Smith runners seem to be needing their first start. Her runner here Cracking Find ran well for a long way but was beaten when unseating his rider here at the last meeting. The 9-year-old struggled on all four starts last season. However, the season before was in great form winning over C&D and at Doncaster. Now 9lb below his last winning mark and is too well handicapped to ignore.
Equus Miller made a winning debut over fences at Worcester (good) in July 2019. Probably on a good handicap mark, goes well fresh but probably wants a sound surface.
Some Reign won over fences at the eighth attempt at Hexham 28-days ago. The 9-year-old wasn’t winning out of turn as he had run well on several occasions. Appreciated the drop-in class last time and is 5lb higher in a better race.
Smith’s Cross is 0-4 over fences but doesn’t look badly handicapped on the form of his chase debut when 3rd of 7 at Carlisle 12 months ago. Now 10lb lower, he’s had a couple of hurdle runs this season and gets the first-time blinkers for a return to the larger obstacles and drop back in trip.
Ballyvic Boru won off this mark over C&D last October. Needed the run when third at Hereford 9-days ago. A return to this galloping track will be in his favour and he’s weighted to go close.
1pt each way – Smith’s Cross – 11/2 @ Bet365
Cheers
John