Now, don't get me wrong, I'd quite happily oppose him only for him to hack up and go into the Champion Chase as a hot favourite. But, oppose him I will, with DODGING BULLETS. Paul Nicholls' horse won the Tingle Creek last time out which, although not the strongest renewal of the race, he won with some ease. This strong traveller's form is known to drop off in the spring so this may be his best performance of the season. If Sprinter Sacre doesn't fire, he's sure to capitalise.
 |
| Dodging Bullets |
Twinlight is a hit-and-miss performer, he either seems to win or get pulled up. On his day, he is very smart. This is proven by his win in the Dial-a-Bet at Leopardstown last time out when rather unfancied in the market; a replication could see him in the mix. An interesting stat is that, this season, Willie Mullins has had 17 runners in Britain. Only two of these won- these were both Faugheen.
Somersby was behind Dodging Bullets in the Tingle Creek and even though he's consistent, Mick Channon's inmate is not getting any younger and a better surface would have been preferable. Grey Gold looks out of his depth, plain and simple.
Simply, if Sprinter Sacre is "back", he wins this at ease. That is a big "if" though.
The Mares Hurdle at 1:50 (Grade 2) looks a decent affair. Carole's Spirit brings the best form into the race and is clear on the ratings. However, she will need to defy a five pound penalty to be victorious and the opposition aren't going to be pushovers. BITOFAPUZZLE has looked a smart horse in her runs so far, which have included a stunning performance in a Cheltenham bumper and a second to Alan King's useful The Pirate's Queen. On that latest run, she lost her unbeaten tag. But that took nothing away from her, in fact you could argue it was her best effort to date. She goes on the ground too, which could prove vital. MISCHIEVOUS MILLY. Her latest run was after a 329-day absence, where she ran third behind the Group 1 runner-up Aurore D'Estruval. That was a respectable run; she should come on for that and looks likely to overturn the form with Dark Spirit.
Another Grade 2 Hurdle next up (2:25). Greatwood winner GARDE LA VICTOIRE has the burden of top weight here but ran well carrying cloth number 1 in the Ladbroke. He has a touch of class and Richard Johnson will be sure to get everything out of him. Down towards the bottom of the weights, David Pipe's British newcomer WILLEM could prove good enough to exploit his featherweight. He is four pounds out of the handicap but if he repeats the best of his French form, he may be thrown in. He will want to avoid a British debut like Le Mercurey's, who cannot be fancied based on that (although he will no doubt come on for it). Lyvius always runs his race but looks a shade high in the weights now whilst Abracadbra Sivola probably is not good enough. Baradari has promised quite a lot but has ultimately delivered little when it has mattered.
The handicap chase at 3:35 is very competitive. NICEONEFRANKIE looks to be going from strength to strength this season with two easy wins in hot races. He's defied weight rises that have been thrown at him, a further seven pounds to contend with may not be enough to halt his progress. Unbeaten in two races at Ascot too. BALLINVARRIG loves cut in the ground and showed willingness to win at Kempton recently. Paddy Brennan was seen to good effect that day, he will be hoping he can see him to the winners enclosure again. The danger could be Bobcatbilly. A ten pound rise won't make life easy but Barry Geraghty is an eye-catching booking.
Haydock hold a Champion Hurdle trial which is only deserving of that title in name only. Should be expecting nothing more than a racecourse gallop for The New One; given that he is the only one in this field that will be able to rub shoulders with the likes of Faugheen, Jezki and Hurricane Fly.
1:30- This supposed trial for the Supreme Novices Hurdle is unlikely to have any bearings on the Cheltenham race. Aso and Kiama Bay bring a solid level form to the race but nothing overly flashy. Therefore, it may pay to side with an unknown quantity in QEWY. He was a listed level winner on the flat for John Oxx, where he showed he could go on a heavy surface. Obviously, the extra distance to contend with is not going to make life easy but he's got that touch of class and could prove to be good enough.
3:15- I was disappointed to see Broadway Buffalo had been withdrawn as he looked to have a big chance. SHANGANI has form on this surface and could have been deemed a tad unlucky to go down fighting against Ballinvarrig at Kempton last time out. This is going to be attritional, as most long distance handicap chases in this ground are at Haydock but Venetia Williams' runner may be enough of a battler to succeed.
Quick round up of my other selections...
1:25 Lingfield- Emirates Skycargo will take all the beating but could face some useful opposition including Rockfast, Goathand and DANSILI DASH. The latter of the trio is a half brother to Barshiba and Dashing Star, so is certainly bred for it. Today might not be his day but he's definitely one to keep an eye on.
2:00 Lingfield- HISTORY BOOK represents Adam Kirby and Charlie Appleby, who are constantly firing in the winners as a double act on the all weather. If she's got enough pace to cope with the drop to six furlongs, she could well keep the duo's bandwagon rolling.
4:10 Naas- So many Irish bumpers this year have been Mullins vs Elliott and I'm siding with the handler at Cullentra House Stables, courtesy of TOMBSTONE. He ran a nice race over hurdles on debut and could be good enough to beat Potters Point, who was runner up on his sole point-to-point start.
2:15 Taunton- Richard Woollacott is in flying form and BANG ON TIME should be a lot better than his opposition today, especially based on his latest win.
12:10 & 12:45 Meydan- Mike De Kock can be an unstoppable force in Dubai at times and I like a couple of his that are owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum. The partnership who had Soft Falling Rain team up with MASTERMIND (12:10) and ALAREEF (12:45). They will both come on for the run but they look a lot better than what they face and could be well up to winning these.
Enjoy your Saturday
Happy Punting!
Haydock hold a Champion Hurdle trial which is only deserving of that title in name only. Should be expecting nothing more than a racecourse gallop for The New One; given that he is the only one in this field that will be able to rub shoulders with the likes of Faugheen, Jezki and Hurricane Fly.
1:30- This supposed trial for the Supreme Novices Hurdle is unlikely to have any bearings on the Cheltenham race. Aso and Kiama Bay bring a solid level form to the race but nothing overly flashy. Therefore, it may pay to side with an unknown quantity in QEWY. He was a listed level winner on the flat for John Oxx, where he showed he could go on a heavy surface. Obviously, the extra distance to contend with is not going to make life easy but he's got that touch of class and could prove to be good enough.
3:15- I was disappointed to see Broadway Buffalo had been withdrawn as he looked to have a big chance. SHANGANI has form on this surface and could have been deemed a tad unlucky to go down fighting against Ballinvarrig at Kempton last time out. This is going to be attritional, as most long distance handicap chases in this ground are at Haydock but Venetia Williams' runner may be enough of a battler to succeed.
Quick round up of my other selections...
1:25 Lingfield- Emirates Skycargo will take all the beating but could face some useful opposition including Rockfast, Goathand and DANSILI DASH. The latter of the trio is a half brother to Barshiba and Dashing Star, so is certainly bred for it. Today might not be his day but he's definitely one to keep an eye on.
2:00 Lingfield- HISTORY BOOK represents Adam Kirby and Charlie Appleby, who are constantly firing in the winners as a double act on the all weather. If she's got enough pace to cope with the drop to six furlongs, she could well keep the duo's bandwagon rolling.
4:10 Naas- So many Irish bumpers this year have been Mullins vs Elliott and I'm siding with the handler at Cullentra House Stables, courtesy of TOMBSTONE. He ran a nice race over hurdles on debut and could be good enough to beat Potters Point, who was runner up on his sole point-to-point start.
2:15 Taunton- Richard Woollacott is in flying form and BANG ON TIME should be a lot better than his opposition today, especially based on his latest win.
12:10 & 12:45 Meydan- Mike De Kock can be an unstoppable force in Dubai at times and I like a couple of his that are owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum. The partnership who had Soft Falling Rain team up with MASTERMIND (12:10) and ALAREEF (12:45). They will both come on for the run but they look a lot better than what they face and could be well up to winning these.
Enjoy your Saturday
Happy Punting!
No comments:
Post a Comment