1:45- GO FAR. This was an eye-catching booking for Alan Bailey's horse. He rattled up a hat-trick in the summer but that run was halted probably due to being a little high in the weights. A run two weeks ago here after a short absence should have him nicely tuned up for this. He was taken widest of all that day but ran on well to only be beaten less than a length in 4th. Big chance in a race where tactics could have a big role to play.
2:15- GREY MIRAGE. Moore was the last jockey to win aboard Marco Botti's inmate, in this race last year. On his recent beating at the hands of Shyron, who re-opposes today, I make them likely to dead heat. However, Grey Mirage has arguably the best man in the business aboard so he may be able to get him home in front today.
2:50- AL NEHAAY. This horse was of interest mainly because Kevin Stott was originally booked but Moore soon took over. No disrespect to Stott, he's a fine young jockey, but the fact that Moore is now aboard implies that a big run might be expected. Of course, he'll have to be fairly smart to beat Opera Lad, who ran a smashing debut behind Monein, and Chorus Of Lies but Kevin Ryan can ready them to win first time out and he's certainly not a forlorn hope.
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| He's back... Ryan Moore and Kevin Ryan most famous partnership with The Grey Gatsby. |
Also, in the Lingfield 4:35, TEMPLE ROAD warrants respect as he chases the hat-trick for 2015 whilst TAAJUB has won this race both last year and three years ago, both of a mark of 85. He carries the same weight again today which suggests a big run could well be in the offing.
Kempton hold their BetBright Chase meeting, which also features the Dovecote and Adonis Hurdles. In the feature race, at 3:45, the three I like are EASTER DAY, who will handle the ground and looked in the process of running a mighty race at Cheltenham recently if not for falling three out, LE REVE, who ran a mighty race at Sandown last time out and looks a young horse with a big future and TAP NIGHT, who has seen his handicap mark tumble recently after some dismal performances but his run last time was far more promising. He runs of the same mark again (130) and the booking of Richard Johnson is interesting.
The Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle is at 2:00, in which the selection is Paul Nicholls' ALL YOURS. He's had two runs thus far; his first run can be ignored when falling but his next at Taunton was far better when routing an, albeit, average field. However, this isn't the strongest renewal of the race and Nicholls knows what it takes to win this, having won it with Irish Saint and Zarkandar recently. The last five winners of this had had no more than two hurdle starts whilst four of those five were French bred (Zarkandar being the only exception- a horse who had raced in France on the flat and went on to win the Triumph Hurdle). All Yours meets both of those criteria so has to have a massive chance.
Favourite Bivouac is French bred but has had three hurdles runs in this country. He was two from two before running in a hot race at Cheltenham last time out. Although he wasn't completely disgraced behind the like of Peace And Co and Karezak, I actually did fancy him that day and did expect him to finish a little closer to his stablemate. There's an argument that his bubble may have burst, as I for one saw him as a Triumph hurdle hopeful earlier this season. That looks blown out of the water now, chasing may well prove to be his game given his scope.
Beltor beat a slightly above average field at Ludlow on his hurdles debut but he never set the flat world alight when running in that sphere and he'll have to step up markedly on that if he's to play a part here. I was astounded to see he was a shorter price that All Yours at second favourite. Flabbergasted in fact.
One more horse who I want to mention is Primogeniture. Trainer Harry Skelton is said to think a lot of him but you'd have to be wary of a horse that has never tackled a hurdle in public before running in a Grade 2 on his jumps debut. Also, he's never ran on ground this soft in his time in Ireland. His best form actually is on good to firm so you would have reservations about the ground.
Two more at Kempton: SHAMMICK BOY (4:20) appears to be in the form of his life at ten years old and the hat-trick cannot be ruled out and VIEUX LILLE (4:55) ran a nice bumper debut at Worcester and although the lengthy absence is a worry, he has to be respected running for Hobbs and Johnson. Ghost River may not cope with the penalty whilst Mr Mountain and Beau Phil could both need the run, more so than the selection.
Newcastle host the Eider Chase and whilst it might not be the slog it can be due to heavy ground, it is still going to be a gruelling challenge and will require a dour stayer to win it. BEFOREALL had been running very poorly until his recent race at Sandown, where he was third behind Le Reve. It is important to remember that a lot of those bad performances were in the midst of a rather baron spell for his trainer Oliver Sherwood, so that could be seen as an excuse for them. HERDSMAN was beaten by the re-opposing Scotswell at Catterick recently but he looks likely to reverse the form as he is now weighted to do so. That recent improved run saw him in first time cheekpieces so it's no surprise to see them applied again. FILL THE POWER is a strong stayer and is usually seen running in these marathon races. He's often hinted that he could run a big race in one of these and today could well be his day. 20/1 is a big price about him.
The Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle is at 2:00, in which the selection is Paul Nicholls' ALL YOURS. He's had two runs thus far; his first run can be ignored when falling but his next at Taunton was far better when routing an, albeit, average field. However, this isn't the strongest renewal of the race and Nicholls knows what it takes to win this, having won it with Irish Saint and Zarkandar recently. The last five winners of this had had no more than two hurdle starts whilst four of those five were French bred (Zarkandar being the only exception- a horse who had raced in France on the flat and went on to win the Triumph Hurdle). All Yours meets both of those criteria so has to have a massive chance.
Favourite Bivouac is French bred but has had three hurdles runs in this country. He was two from two before running in a hot race at Cheltenham last time out. Although he wasn't completely disgraced behind the like of Peace And Co and Karezak, I actually did fancy him that day and did expect him to finish a little closer to his stablemate. There's an argument that his bubble may have burst, as I for one saw him as a Triumph hurdle hopeful earlier this season. That looks blown out of the water now, chasing may well prove to be his game given his scope.
Beltor beat a slightly above average field at Ludlow on his hurdles debut but he never set the flat world alight when running in that sphere and he'll have to step up markedly on that if he's to play a part here. I was astounded to see he was a shorter price that All Yours at second favourite. Flabbergasted in fact.
One more horse who I want to mention is Primogeniture. Trainer Harry Skelton is said to think a lot of him but you'd have to be wary of a horse that has never tackled a hurdle in public before running in a Grade 2 on his jumps debut. Also, he's never ran on ground this soft in his time in Ireland. His best form actually is on good to firm so you would have reservations about the ground.
Two more at Kempton: SHAMMICK BOY (4:20) appears to be in the form of his life at ten years old and the hat-trick cannot be ruled out and VIEUX LILLE (4:55) ran a nice bumper debut at Worcester and although the lengthy absence is a worry, he has to be respected running for Hobbs and Johnson. Ghost River may not cope with the penalty whilst Mr Mountain and Beau Phil could both need the run, more so than the selection.
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| Shammick Boy going for three in a row. |
Newcastle host the Eider Chase and whilst it might not be the slog it can be due to heavy ground, it is still going to be a gruelling challenge and will require a dour stayer to win it. BEFOREALL had been running very poorly until his recent race at Sandown, where he was third behind Le Reve. It is important to remember that a lot of those bad performances were in the midst of a rather baron spell for his trainer Oliver Sherwood, so that could be seen as an excuse for them. HERDSMAN was beaten by the re-opposing Scotswell at Catterick recently but he looks likely to reverse the form as he is now weighted to do so. That recent improved run saw him in first time cheekpieces so it's no surprise to see them applied again. FILL THE POWER is a strong stayer and is usually seen running in these marathon races. He's often hinted that he could run a big race in one of these and today could well be his day. 20/1 is a big price about him.
In the final two races from Newcastle, OSCAR ROCK (4:40) went off favourite for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at the back end of 2013 so that is clearly testament to his ability. Form behind Sausalito Sunrise since isn't all that bad and his chase debut in the wake of Wakanda was respectable, bearing in mind that horse went on to win a Grade 2. In handicap company now, he has a big chance.
The 5:10 is a big-sized bumper field, but I think it could be wise to go for two of the market principals, ONE MORE GO and VINTAGE CLOUDS. The former ran good races behind the fairly useful pair of Northern bumper horses in Crockett and Virnon and since sluiced up in a Musselburgh NH flat race whilst the latter was equally impressive in his third race too, hammering a Wetherby bumper field. Both have form lines 321, both should run big races.
Enjoy your Saturday
Happy Punting!
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