One last moaning moment. I thought the way they ran the Neptune was just ridiculous, Ruby Walsh, Tony McCoy and Davy Russell all have horses who probably stay a bit further than two and a half miles. Instead of one of them going on and making a good pace to ensure stamina came in to play they went a very slow pace and it turned into a sprint late on. This couldn't have played into The New One's hands anymore and he was possibly flattered by his winning margin and the style of his win. Saying that you cant take anything away from the demolition job he achieved. Counsel was also a bitter disappointment for me finishing way tailed off and leaving me questioning the well being of Donald McCain's horses. None of his horses have ran their races this week and is probably a trainer best watched. Yesterday morning I wrote the World Hurdle preview about Peddlers Cross but after seeing his stable mate's went back and changed it.
Jewson Novices Chase - Third Intention
Third Intention is a bit of a bold choice as the Jewson has turned into a very competitive race since it was declared Dynaste was going to turn up here. He is now the short priced favourite but Third Intention was a very useful horse over hurdles, last season winning the National Spirit easily. Last time out he ran over this distance which was always going to be his optimum trip over fences, He threw the race away that day. He has Captain Conan under pressure and two lengths down at the last fence but idled on the straight and let the lead go late on. He runs in a first time noseband which should sort his concentration problem out and allow Joe Tizzard to hit the front earlier with confidence. One word to be said is that Nicky Henderson claimed Captain Conan was well below his best that day and will be much better today. Third Intention is taken to land the odds however and is a fantastic each way price. (25/1)
Ante Post Captain Conan - 14/1
Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle - Captain Sunshine
Captain Sunshine was a promising novice last year but disappointed in the first half of this season somewhat, still turning in some useful efforts out of the placings however. He looked to be finally running a big race in the Lanzarote and nailed on for a place, maybe even challenging for first place before falling at the last. On many occasions it has looked as if three miles will be his optimum trip, he justified that last time when staying on at Newbury for second behind Master of the sea. Master of the Sea ran a good race yesterday when fourth in the Coral Cup under Sam Twiston-Davies. Down near the bottom of the weights Captain Sunshine can finally come good and register a win to his name this season. A really solid each way chance and a likely sort to win this race. (16/1)
Ryanair Chase - Champion Court
Martin Keighley's Gelding is one you cant help but love, every race he wears his heart on his sleeve and cuts out the running. He is without a win since new years day of 2012 when winning the Dipper Novices Chase. Last year he found only Sir Des Champs too good in the Jewson but had some good horses behind him with For Non Stop in third.
This year he started off in a 2 mile 1 furlong race at Ascot when giving a stone and a half to the useful William's Wishes and only going down by 6 lengths. Realistically this race was always going to be too short for him and was probably only being used as a pipe opener for the season. After that he was the each way selection on here for the King George. Turning for home you would be forgiven for mistaking him as the winner before a mix of stamina and the bottomless ground got to him. Still, he finished a very dignified fourth and only 16 and 3 quarter lengths behind Long Run. More importantly he had Cue Card and Riverside Theatre behind him that day who may take him on once more here. You can forget completely about his last run as that wasn't his true showing at all. (antepost 10/1) (15/2 currently)
Ladbrokes World Hurdle - Oscar Whisky
With the absence of Big Bucks' we are handed one of the most open World Hurdles for a while with 4/1 joint favourites. Preference is for Oscar Whisky who showed he can stay on trials day when just touched off by the reopposing Reve De Sivola. The going was bottomless that day so showing that he stayed well enough in that ground reassures that he will stay well in this ground no problem. Id fully expect him to reverse the placings with Reve De Sivola today on this better ground and that would put him right there with a chance. Last years World Hurdle was run on similar ground as today's, that race was run at about 45 seconds slower than the race on trials day. You do the math on that, running for 45 seconds less he will stay very well and is the clear class horse in the race. An absolutely massive chance at a big enough price. (4/1)
Byrne Group Plate Handicap Chase - Walkon
Walkon ran a good second here in the Paddypower behind Al Ferof last year before finishing second again behind a John Hales owned Grey in Unioniste. The latter form has worked out fairly well in which he came 6 lengths ahead of Golden Chieftan when giving him 10 pounds. He won on the first day under Brendan Powell and Walkon is more than capable of also winning at the Festival as well. Last year he was fifth in the RSA behind Bobs Worth and the year before ran a good race to be seventh in the Coral Cup behind Carlito Brigante. His best Festival form came back in his novice hurdle career when second to Zaynar in the Triumph Hurdle. In truth he has been fairly highly tried over fences and takes a small step down in class to run here today off a mark of 148 (the same mark he ran off in the Paddy Power). As im sure you all know Choc Thornton is injured and out for the Festival after breaking his arm, Paddy Brennan gets the leg up today which is by no means a bad thing. One last silly thing, when I was younger I had a theory that all Grey's that were a number five came placed or won, you'd be surprised how many times it worked. Walkon today is a grey number five but that is somewhat on a bit of a sentimental side than anything. A great each way chance nonetheless. (14/1)
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase - Vesper Bell
I have to be truthful about this race, I had to search really hard to find one that I fancied and after a while of looking had it between Vesper Bell and Prince of Pirates. Vesper Bell got the nod however for the Willie Mullins stable who couldn't be more in form right now. Paddy Mullins takes the ride for his dad and had a winner on Back In Focus in yesterdays opener getting up late on to catch Tofino Bay. The only worry his best form is on softer ground and tomorrow may not be ideal, however he hasn't had much of a chance on better going. Paddy rode Vesper Bell in his two bumpers early on in his career 2 years ago in 2011, he won one of those races and was fourth in his second outing. Id be surprised if he hasn't ridden him out at home on more than one occasion however and he will no doubt be accustomed to the horse. A solid each way chance, but a bet for interest if anything. (16/1)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase - Any Currency
Martin Keighley has a number of good chances this week and Any Currency is one of them with a leading chance. He tackles the Cross Country fences for the first time here but they should pose no threat to him and the trip is right up his street. Officially he would run off 10-2 but Ian Popham takes a further 3 pounds off so he carries an absolute flyweight round Prestbury Park. This season he has run much better races, this is down to his breathing operation he had at the start of the year. Looking at him during the race and form wise he has done nothing but improve for the operation and racing for him just seems easier and a bit more fluent. All in all as long as he takes to the fences he should be bang in contention and this race could bring a bit more improvement in him. A real solid each way chance. (14/1)
NAP - Oscar Whisky
Nb - Champion Court
Good luck if you are having a bet today and lets hope for another bad day for the bookies!!
Happy Punting guys
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