PASTURE TO PARTY AGAIN

On what is ANOTHER weekend that has experienced a deluge of rain, groundstaff have performed amazingly to get fixtures on. But, inevitably, the ground will still be hard work for 90% of the horses running. My first tip of the day, however, doesn't come courtesy of the jumps, but a flat horse who is becoming a real favourite of mine...

The 3:45 at Lingfield sees PERFECT PASTURE chasing his seventh success in a row. All of the 6 wins have included the application of a visor and has seen his rating rise from 57 to 100. He is a solid sort and I see no reason why it cant be seven from seven, despite this being the strongest opposition he's faced to date, with Absolutely So likely to make it a decent challenge.

Hopefully Perfect Pasture (orange and green) can record a seventh win in a row.

 

 

As for the jumps today the main event, the Betfair Hurdle, is proving to be as competitive as ever, with at least half a dozen horses with decent chances. I've whittled down to three, I couldn't choose between them. The first of these, IRISH SAINT, looks ideal for the race. Right age, right ground and isn't carrying as much weight as he should following his last race. If he replicates that performance again, he should go close. The next choice is SMASHING. He's ran two races for Willie Mullins in Ireland and has won them cosily. He is another who is the right age to win this and should go on the ground and hopefully this dashing grey is another who will be there or thereabouts. The final selection in this race is DELL' ARCA. Good age again, ground possibly a slight worry but connections say it shouldn't pose a threat. He races off a nice weight and his jockey said he was in the process of running a decent race before unseating in the Ladbroke last time out. If he produces the form that saw him win his first race on British shores than he'll go close.

 

Others in this race with chances are Far West, Chris Pea Green and Totalize and its nice see Montbazon run again after a lengthy absence. Hopefully he can come back safe and sound on what is his first run since he went close in the 2012 Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham.

 

 

My other selection at Newbury is in the bumper at 4:40. With inexperienced horses, whether or not they will handle ground as testing as this is an enigma. One who seemed to relish it on his debut under rules was DEFINITLY RED. He quickly put the race to bed that day winning impressively and seemed to be going further away towards the finish, which suggests that he should still be battling on when others have cried enough. As for the others, Thomas Brown will be a danger if he goes on the ground, Seven Nation Army has decent form and Buckhorn Timothy could run well at a big price.

 

 

My final two selections come from Warwick. In the Kingmaker Novices' Chase, BRICK RED will revel in the ground and will be looking to make it another good Saturday for trainer Venetia Williams. He's been in good form of late and should run a good race.

 

The 3:15 should see PERSIAN SNOW go close. Form on the ground and a win last time out (against a horse re-opposing today in No Buts) , with a lot of the opposition having question marks against their names, the selection has to go close.  

 

 

It would be so nice to write a blog one week without having to use any of the following words/phrases-

 

TESTING

SOFT

SOFTER

HEAVY

HEAVIER

BOTTOMLESS

A LOT OF GETTING

TOUGH GOING

REVEL

RELISH

MUDLARK

 

Please weather, get better soon

 

As for other sports. IRELAND/ENGLAND/FRANCE in rugby

 

Hoping that the competition can now begin to do the talking at the Winter Olympics following months of media scepticism. Although, understandably, the negativity will surround the games, it would be nice to see all of that take a back burner and let the sport take centre stage.

 

Best of luck to all athletes, especially those in Team GB!

 

Hope everybody has a good weekend

 

Happy Punting!