The Greatwood (3:15) is always a competitive race and has thrown up some useful sorts in the past. A horse who I fancied a lot when the declarations first came out for this race was GARDE LA VICTOIRE. His form last season was fairly solid, with many of his good performances coming at Cheltenham. A second place behind Ballyalton and a win at the April meeting are evidence of this. His recent Aintree run would have him nicely tuned up for this and his trainer is one who has been known to run quality sorts in this such as Rooster Booster and Detroit City. The only worry is the ground. The rain that fell definitely hindered his hopes, as his best form has come on a better surface. That is probably why he's currently priced at 14/1 and not in single figures. If he can cope with the ground, he should be well up to continuing Hobbs and Johnson's red hot form.
A horse who will go on this ground is this year's Imperial Cup winner BALTIMORE ROCK. His form looks competitive with most of these and even his fourth place behind Arkle hopeful Josses Hill is useful. David Pipe and Tom Scudamore teamed up last year to win with Dell' Arca and they could be looking at two wins in this race in as many years.
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| Garde La Victoire (left) being narrowly beaten by Ballyalton |
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| Baltimore Rock winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown |
There are some other top races on this card, including the Grade 2 novice hurdle (1:35). This is meant to be a trial for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March. A horse who has some useful form as a juvenile is COMMISSIONED. He ran very respectable races behind the likes of Activial, Guitar Pete, Clarcam and Calipto and because he never won last season, he gets to run as a novice. He provided John Ferguson with his first ever Cheltenham winner last month and he followed that up with a facile success at Kempton. John Ferguson has recorded two more wins at the course since that win so any demons that surrounded him regarding his Cheltenham record have been well and truly obliterated. Being by Authorized, the ground shouldn't be a problem either.
THE GOVANESS could also go well at a price. She gets a weight allowance being a filly and her bumper form from last season would put her firmly into the mix here. Her course success shows that the Cheltenham hill should be no problem either.
No horse older than 6 has won the Arkle Trial Novices Chase (2:10) in recent years. That would rule out Court Minstrel and Dunraven Storm. Little Jon has a little to find on ratings whilst Vibrato Valtat is probably the one to beat based on his victory at Warwick under a cheeky ride by Sam Twiston Davies. However, he's being taken on by DUKE OF NAVAN. He beat Urban Hymn at Carlisle on his seasonal reappearance and you would hope that he would improve for that. Testing ground will pose no risk whatsoever, he may be able to grind out a tough win here.
A Nicky Richards double could be on the cards, with SIMPLY NED being chosen in the Shloer Chase (2:40). There are question marks about both Dodging Bullets and Module based on their last starts, which were lacklustre whilst Uxizandre looks to want further than today's 2 mile trip. Poole Master and Lancetto do not look good enough. Simply Ned's 4 lengths second behind Balder Succes puts him firmly into calculations here. He gets his distance and has already had a run this season, which may prove very important.
In the concluding bumper (3:50), DEFINITLY RED has a shot despite his penalty. He's revel in the ground and his smart form from last season, including a hugely respectable seventh in the Champion Bumper, makes him a big player here. AQALIM is another who performed well in bumpers last year and looks a horse with a big engine. His third place behind Ballybolley in Aintree's equivalent of the Champion Bumper give him a massive chance too.
One for Punchestown- (1:05) CHANCOL is two from two over chase fences at Punchestown and he looks well up to making it three from three. ALELCHI INOIS is on quite the winning streak but this is his toughest race to date and the soft ground is not sure to suit him. Sizing Granite did well on chase debut last time out but will have to put in an improved performance if he's to score here you feel.
Condolences to the family and friends of Dessie Hughes, who has died aged 71. I only knew him really as a trainer, but as a jockey and of course, a father too, he changed the game of racing massively. He will be sorely missed.
Enjoy your Sunday
Happy Punting!
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