Good morning/evening everyone, the Cheltenham countdown is currently ticking away at the 11 day marker and Cheltenham Fever is in full flow. Last week was a bit of a damp squib with Herdsman never looking likely to land a blow and Easter Day pulled up early at Kempton. But this week we go on full of hope and will look to boost our pockets ahead of Cheltenham with a couple of selections.
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a preview for you guys as we cover all of the afternoon action on Channel 4 this saturday. It is just myself (@Lukeelder13) and @Adamwebb121 to mark your card and answer all your questions regarding the day's racing and any Cheltenham Festival questions you may have. As well as our weekly video we have also recorded two Cheltenham previews to continue the countdown to the main event.
Our first video was recorded alongside top jockeys Nick Scholfield and Sam Twiston-Davies as they gave us their best chances of the meeting. You can watch that show via the link below:
Championship Races Preview
Our second video was recorded with special guest Tom Stanley who is a regular on your TV screens with Racing UK. He talked us through his thoughts for the main three novice chases at Festival. You can watch that show via the link below:
Novice Chase Previews
After all that if you still want a bit more OnTheOtherHoof then you can watch our Saturday preview via the link below:
Link to be added later, live show at 8pm!
Now onto the all important selections!!
1:45 Newbury - Bothy
Bothy has been a star name round the Brian Ellison yard for a few years now and has come back from a long injury in seemingly good heart. That injury kept him off the racecourse for the best part of two years and it took him a while to refind his feet on the racecourse, but his last two efforts have been encouraging.
We last saw him in action on Cheltenham Trials day at Musselburgh when tackling three miles for the second time in his career, it was clear that he doesn't stay though and the drop in trip looks sensible. He has been tried over this trip of two miles and five furlongs before without success, but in fairness to him he has been tackling far higher company than this including a second in the Coral Cup off a sixteen pound higher mark. If he returns to anywhere that form today then he will take some beating, but he still has a lot to prove on his comeback from injury.
Over the years Bothy has built up a good rapport with Danny Cook but he seemed to get on well with Jamie Moore on New Years Day at Cheltenham. The pair were third on that occasion when finding three miles up the Cheltenham Hill a bit too much in a hot race, but that is no disgrace after the seventh in the race won next time out. As mentioned Bothy will need to keep on improving to land this contest but on ground that will be nearly ideal for him he can give a bold show once more. (8/1)
3:10 Doncaster - Kelvingrove
Kelvingrove is one that remains very lightly raced after only running over hurdles five times but has looked full of promise on each occasion. You may remember that he was a selection on the blog last time out when tackling three miles for the first time in his first real test over hurdles.
After a promising fifth at Haydock he tackles three miles once again with Maurice Linehan in the saddle claiming three valuable pounds. He never really travelled on that occasion and was off the bridle for most of the race and took plenty of riding along, but he has the cheek pieces fitted for the first time here which should help him travel more fluently. To his credit he stayed on really strongly to grab fifth last time out which proved that he does stay this longer trip and is a half brother to Cavalryman who is a top class stayer on the flat.
This race looks decidedly easier and if he has any Cheltenham aspirations then he must be winning or going very close here this afternoon. (10/1)
NAP - Kelvingrove
Nb - Bothy
As always good luck and if you are having a bet, happy punting!
Friday, 27 February 2015
Friday, 20 February 2015
Easter Come Early At Kempton
Good morning/evening to you all, I hope we all have our countdown hats on as it is now under three weeks until the Cheltenham Festival of 2015. But before then we have plenty of racing to get out of the way including a few key trials today at Kempton and Chepstow. We will learn a bit more about the Triumph Hurdle through the Adonis at Kempton as well as the Dovecote that was won last year by Irving. We are also treated to the BetBright Chase where Easter Day looks to make amends for his fall last time out at Cheltenham. If that isn't enough then we will also get to see Sire De Grugy at Chepstow in his final test before defending his Champion Chase crown. Lingfield also stage a good meeting which will see the return of the greatest racehorse in recent years look to win back to back Winter Derby Trials. But onwards and upwards!
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a preview video prepared for you guys as we mark your card for the afternoon's Channel 4 races. Joining me on the panel this week are the regular suspects of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell who give you their best bets of the weekend. But wait!! That isn't the only video we have done this week. If you missed it on Tuesday we recorded our first Cheltenham Festival preview along with Nick Scholfield and Sam Twiston-Davies who we thank for taking time out of their busy schedules. You can find both videos via the links below, enjoy!
BetBright Chase Day - Saturday Preview
Cheltenham Preview with Nick Scholfield and Sam Twiston-Davies
Now onto the all important selections!
2:55 Newcastle - Herdsman
We start today off with one of the highlights of the season at Newcastle with the Eider Chase over a stamina sapping four miles and a furlong. The last two winners of the race line up here once more with 2012 winner Portrait King and last year's winner Wyck Hill, both of them also have entries at Aintree in the Grand National.
There is one at a bigger price that has caught my eye however in the form of Brian Ellison's representative Herdsman. He may be getting a bit long in the tooth now as a ten year old but he still remains lightly raced after only gracing the racecourse 19 times. During those visits he has had his success through placing on nine of those starts and winning five of them, he must run off a three pound higher mark than his last winning one today though. Saying that he seems to be in good form after an eye catching effort over three furlongs shorter in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick. That effort came with first time cheek pieces that are used once more after just failing to get up by a neck behind Scotswell, who re-opposes this afternoon. The extra three furlongs should help him but the one thing that is a slight worry is his jumping as he can be prone to a mistake or two, saying that he has never fallen and should give a good account of himself over this marathon trip.
Shotgun Paddy is one of the obvious main dangers but is also susceptible to a bad mistake or two as he has proved on numerous occasions. The biggest danger may come in the form of Knockanrawley who will appreciate the strong stamina test and Wyck Hill should put up a strong defence of his crown. (16/1)
3:45 Kempton - Easter Day
Bally Legend was a shock winner of this race last year at 28/1 when getting the better of Bury Parade, but hasn't won since and as a result is only two pounds higher in the handicap than he was twelve months ago. This looks a wide open race however and he will do well to win it again with Tom O'Brien in the saddle this time around.
Easter Day is a horse that I haven't been too complimentary about in the past, but he impressed me when still travelling strongly before falling three out at Cheltenham. Despite falling he is generally a very good jumper and it may not have been his fault last time out as he seemed to jump the fence well. He was unsighted at the fence by Little Jon jumping markedly to his left and across his line of vision and seemed to be put off. On that basis his jumping wouldn't be a problem as long as he doesn't have anything repercussions of the fall.
I am still of the thought process that he needs three miles and will likely get even further than that so it's a relief to see him stepped back up in trip here. Things haven't really gone his way over fences after missing a year through a bout of colic before reappearing at Newbury in December. He ran well enough on that occasion and looked to have improved before his tumble last time out when looking like playing a key role. He remains well handicapped on the back of that though and looks to have plenty in hand off a mark of 142 and is taken to land the BetBright Chase this year. (9/2)
NAP - Easter Day
Nb - Herdsman
Have a good weekend and as always, happy punting!
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a preview video prepared for you guys as we mark your card for the afternoon's Channel 4 races. Joining me on the panel this week are the regular suspects of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell who give you their best bets of the weekend. But wait!! That isn't the only video we have done this week. If you missed it on Tuesday we recorded our first Cheltenham Festival preview along with Nick Scholfield and Sam Twiston-Davies who we thank for taking time out of their busy schedules. You can find both videos via the links below, enjoy!
BetBright Chase Day - Saturday Preview
Cheltenham Preview with Nick Scholfield and Sam Twiston-Davies
Now onto the all important selections!
2:55 Newcastle - Herdsman
We start today off with one of the highlights of the season at Newcastle with the Eider Chase over a stamina sapping four miles and a furlong. The last two winners of the race line up here once more with 2012 winner Portrait King and last year's winner Wyck Hill, both of them also have entries at Aintree in the Grand National.
There is one at a bigger price that has caught my eye however in the form of Brian Ellison's representative Herdsman. He may be getting a bit long in the tooth now as a ten year old but he still remains lightly raced after only gracing the racecourse 19 times. During those visits he has had his success through placing on nine of those starts and winning five of them, he must run off a three pound higher mark than his last winning one today though. Saying that he seems to be in good form after an eye catching effort over three furlongs shorter in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick. That effort came with first time cheek pieces that are used once more after just failing to get up by a neck behind Scotswell, who re-opposes this afternoon. The extra three furlongs should help him but the one thing that is a slight worry is his jumping as he can be prone to a mistake or two, saying that he has never fallen and should give a good account of himself over this marathon trip.
Shotgun Paddy is one of the obvious main dangers but is also susceptible to a bad mistake or two as he has proved on numerous occasions. The biggest danger may come in the form of Knockanrawley who will appreciate the strong stamina test and Wyck Hill should put up a strong defence of his crown. (16/1)
3:45 Kempton - Easter Day
Bally Legend was a shock winner of this race last year at 28/1 when getting the better of Bury Parade, but hasn't won since and as a result is only two pounds higher in the handicap than he was twelve months ago. This looks a wide open race however and he will do well to win it again with Tom O'Brien in the saddle this time around.
Easter Day is a horse that I haven't been too complimentary about in the past, but he impressed me when still travelling strongly before falling three out at Cheltenham. Despite falling he is generally a very good jumper and it may not have been his fault last time out as he seemed to jump the fence well. He was unsighted at the fence by Little Jon jumping markedly to his left and across his line of vision and seemed to be put off. On that basis his jumping wouldn't be a problem as long as he doesn't have anything repercussions of the fall.
I am still of the thought process that he needs three miles and will likely get even further than that so it's a relief to see him stepped back up in trip here. Things haven't really gone his way over fences after missing a year through a bout of colic before reappearing at Newbury in December. He ran well enough on that occasion and looked to have improved before his tumble last time out when looking like playing a key role. He remains well handicapped on the back of that though and looks to have plenty in hand off a mark of 142 and is taken to land the BetBright Chase this year. (9/2)
NAP - Easter Day
Nb - Herdsman
Have a good weekend and as always, happy punting!
Friday, 13 February 2015
Grove On Pertemps Trail
Good morning/evening to you all, the countdown to Cheltenham is continuing and we are now under the month marker for the 2015 Cheltenham Festival. We have a few more clues today including At Fishers Cross who was third in last year's World Hurdle, he is in action at Haydock and will be a short price for victory. Ascot stage a Grade One in the shape of the Ascot Chase where Ptit Zig takes on Balder Succes and Ballycasey as all of them have questions to answer. Among the other names on trial are Fletcher's Flyer, Arpege D'alene and Tea For Two with the last couple doing battle in Ascot's opener.
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have prepared a preview video as we look ahead to the afternoon of racing on Channel 4 and preview every race. Joining me on the panel this week are the regulars of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell from Timeform. You can watch the show live at 8pm of through the link below which will be posted after the show has finished.
Ascot Chase Day Preview
One more link to throw at you guys. This week I was part of a Cheltenham preview evening on Radio Yorkshire alongside Bobby Beevers and Sam Brydges. We had a star studded set of guests that joined us on the phone including Oli Bell, Nick Luck, Tom Scudamore, Jamie Moore, Mattie Batchelor, John Blance and Mark Pearson from Betfred. You can listen to the whole show live below and you can also listen to me live on William Hill radio tomorrow afternoon. Enjoy!
Radio Yorkshire Cheltenham Preview
Now onto the all important selections!
2:40 Ascot - Carole's Destrier
Neil Mulholland's Gelding had always promised to be a better chaser than hurdler and after four runs he has already improved on his hurdles rating. Saying he was still very useful over the small obstacles and defied a mark of 129 to win a Festival consolation race at Kempton last season.
He started of his chasing career at Ffos Las where he was just caught late in the race after being prominent throughout the contest. That left him with a lot of promise to go forward with and he improved to beat Carraig Mor and Return Spring off level weights at Exeter over three miles. His run next time can easily be forgiven as he was pulled up and has been seen to good effect since that disappointment. That came at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs but got caught for a bit of speed late in the day after travelling powerfully throughout the race. The try down in trip was well worth a go but connections appear to have made the right choice by stepping back up to three miles in what looks to be a weaker event. One of the most interesting factors is the jockey as Barry Geraghty takes over in the saddle from Michael Byrne who has partnered him in 9 of his 14 career starts. Neil Mulholland has has success with the Champion Hurdle winning jockey this season with The Young Master and can have further success this afternoon. (11/4)
3:25 Haydock - Kelvingrove
Despite Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus both being doubly represented here, AP McCoy has chosen to ride Aqalim for John Ferguson. Preference however is still for the Jonjo O'Neill trained Kelvingrove who has built up a good rapport with Maurice Linehan recently and were unlucky together last time out.
He started off his racing career on the flat with the late Sir Henry Cecil but didn't come into his own until switched to Ed Vaughan's yard in handicaps and up in trip. It was a surprise to see him win a two mile novice hurdle as he defied a mark of 80 over the same trip on the flat which would indicate he is more stamina laden.
It is no secret that Jonjo O'Neill's yard were struggling for a bit of form around Christmas time and winners were hard to come by, however Kelvingrove was one of the horses who seems to have carried his form through the season. We last saw him when just touched off at Taunton over a trip just shy of two and a half miles which is likely to be too short for him. He was a bit unlucky on that occasion as he had just hit the front when becoming the meat in the sandwich between the eventual winner and the rail, even though it wasn't a major incident it cost him momentum at a key moment and was beaten only a short head. The step up in trip looks to be vital this afternoon as he was one of the first off the bridle at Taunton and stayed on in good style. Maurice Linehan partners him once more and claims a valuable three pounds in what is sure to be testing ground which shouldn't hinder him.
He may not be the class of his half brother Cavalryman, but he is taken to land this event and must do so if he is to make it to the Cheltenham Festival. (12/1)
NAP - Carole's Destrier
Nb - Kelvingrove
Good luck today and as always, happy punting!
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have prepared a preview video as we look ahead to the afternoon of racing on Channel 4 and preview every race. Joining me on the panel this week are the regulars of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell from Timeform. You can watch the show live at 8pm of through the link below which will be posted after the show has finished.
Ascot Chase Day Preview
One more link to throw at you guys. This week I was part of a Cheltenham preview evening on Radio Yorkshire alongside Bobby Beevers and Sam Brydges. We had a star studded set of guests that joined us on the phone including Oli Bell, Nick Luck, Tom Scudamore, Jamie Moore, Mattie Batchelor, John Blance and Mark Pearson from Betfred. You can listen to the whole show live below and you can also listen to me live on William Hill radio tomorrow afternoon. Enjoy!
Radio Yorkshire Cheltenham Preview
Now onto the all important selections!
2:40 Ascot - Carole's Destrier
Neil Mulholland's Gelding had always promised to be a better chaser than hurdler and after four runs he has already improved on his hurdles rating. Saying he was still very useful over the small obstacles and defied a mark of 129 to win a Festival consolation race at Kempton last season.
He started of his chasing career at Ffos Las where he was just caught late in the race after being prominent throughout the contest. That left him with a lot of promise to go forward with and he improved to beat Carraig Mor and Return Spring off level weights at Exeter over three miles. His run next time can easily be forgiven as he was pulled up and has been seen to good effect since that disappointment. That came at Cheltenham over two miles and five furlongs but got caught for a bit of speed late in the day after travelling powerfully throughout the race. The try down in trip was well worth a go but connections appear to have made the right choice by stepping back up to three miles in what looks to be a weaker event. One of the most interesting factors is the jockey as Barry Geraghty takes over in the saddle from Michael Byrne who has partnered him in 9 of his 14 career starts. Neil Mulholland has has success with the Champion Hurdle winning jockey this season with The Young Master and can have further success this afternoon. (11/4)
3:25 Haydock - Kelvingrove
Despite Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus both being doubly represented here, AP McCoy has chosen to ride Aqalim for John Ferguson. Preference however is still for the Jonjo O'Neill trained Kelvingrove who has built up a good rapport with Maurice Linehan recently and were unlucky together last time out.
He started off his racing career on the flat with the late Sir Henry Cecil but didn't come into his own until switched to Ed Vaughan's yard in handicaps and up in trip. It was a surprise to see him win a two mile novice hurdle as he defied a mark of 80 over the same trip on the flat which would indicate he is more stamina laden.
It is no secret that Jonjo O'Neill's yard were struggling for a bit of form around Christmas time and winners were hard to come by, however Kelvingrove was one of the horses who seems to have carried his form through the season. We last saw him when just touched off at Taunton over a trip just shy of two and a half miles which is likely to be too short for him. He was a bit unlucky on that occasion as he had just hit the front when becoming the meat in the sandwich between the eventual winner and the rail, even though it wasn't a major incident it cost him momentum at a key moment and was beaten only a short head. The step up in trip looks to be vital this afternoon as he was one of the first off the bridle at Taunton and stayed on in good style. Maurice Linehan partners him once more and claims a valuable three pounds in what is sure to be testing ground which shouldn't hinder him.
He may not be the class of his half brother Cavalryman, but he is taken to land this event and must do so if he is to make it to the Cheltenham Festival. (12/1)
NAP - Carole's Destrier
Nb - Kelvingrove
Good luck today and as always, happy punting!
Friday, 6 February 2015
Jolly's Cracked It At Newbury
Good morning/evening everyone, I hope we are rested and well prepared for a huge weekend of racing featuring many Festival clues from both England and Ireland. This weekend will see some Gold Cup clues in the Denman Chase as well as the return of Champion Chaser Sire De Grugy in the Game Spirit at Newbury. That card also features the competitive Betfair Hurdle that was won by Splash Of Ginge last year and My Tent Or Yours the year before. Elsewhere in the country we are also treated to the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices Chase at Warwick as a Listed Mares Hurdle which will see Glen's Melody back on these shores.
As if that wasn't enough we have four Grade One's in Ireland on Sunday which start with Kalkir who looks to set his season back on track after defeat on Boxing Day. Next up is the Deloitte which was won last year by Vautour and the yard have this year's favourite in Alvisio Ville who was subject to a gamble in the Neptune at Cheltenham throughout the week. Nichols Canyon also represents Willie Mullins in the race as he saddles four of the nine in the field. The Novice Chasers take their turn next with Valseur Lido a short priced favourite and faces strong competition from Apache Stronghold and Le Vent D'Antan. Last but certainly not least we have On His Own taking on Lord Windermere and Boston Bob with Ruby Walsh choosing the first mentioned over the last. But let's get today out of the way first!
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a video preview prepared for you guys as we mark your card for the day's Channel 4 action. Joining myself on the panel today is just @Adamwebb121 but we shall do our best to find you all a few winners. You can watch live tonight at 8pm (Just after) or you can catch it on replay via the link below, enjoy!
Betfair Hurdle Day Video
Now onto the all important selections for today!
3:15 Warwick - Castle Cheetah
We have a bit of a wait until our first selection this weekend with Castle Cheetah for Martin Keighley who's yard have been a bit hit and miss lately. They will still be on a high after Annacotty's victory on Cheltenham Trials Day but he has only had 5 runners since including a third.
We haven't seen much of Castle Cheetah who remains a lightly raced seven year old but one that has shown ability on his last two starts. On the first of those he showed ability for the first time when well backed at Worcester, but found one too in the form of Ballycoe who hasn't been seen since pulled up behind Fletchers Flyer at Ascot when something seemingly amiss. Castle Cheetah then had a break of 90 days before reappearing at Taunton behind Rathlin Rose who has won since to boost the form. He seemed to want a real stamina sapping trip on that occasion and as a result is stepped up to three miles and two furlongs on handicap debut. An added bonus today is the addition of Conor Shoemark who claims a valuable three pounds which makes life easier. The softer ground is also no worry whatsoever and everything points towards a big run on his handicap bow.
The main danger may come in the form of Dawson City who has been in brilliant form since switching to handicaps recently. He is nine pounds higher on this occasion and will need a fair bit more this afternoon so preference is for the unexposed Castle Cheetah. (8/1)
3:35 Newbury - Jolly's Cracked It
Today's second and final selections comes in the form of Jolly's Cracked It who has been a much improved character since switching to Harry Fry's yard. This will be his first major test as he steps out of Novice company for the first time after a good second in the Tolworth Hurdle.
His hurdling debut was a successful one at Ascot and although his jumping left a lot to be desired it was clear that he had a lot of ability. Nick Scholfield sent him to the front a long way from home that day which may not have been to suit after he idled when clear, this ensured that the winning distance was kept to three and a quarter lengths, but it should have been a lot further. He was very workmanlike next time out back at Ascot when again beating Clondaw Banker with Jebril separating them. On paper he only won by a length but if not for an appalling mistake at the second last and a dubious leap at the last he would have won by much further, saying that he never looked like getting beat at any part of the race. His jumping was much better last time out in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle but proved no match for L'ami Serge, which is no bad thing as he looks one of the top Novices this season.
That leads us nicely onto today for his handicap debut in one of the toughest races of the calendar year, but he is undoubtedly in with a chance off a mark of 140. Today will be a bit of a shock to the system as the most he has faced over hurdles in one race is 7 rivals whereas today will see him tackle 23 other horses. That could see him to best effect as it will allow him to settle behind a few horses and hopefully travel into the race strongly under Nick Scholfield once again. The slightly faster ground shouldn't be much of a problem for him and he looks a nice price in a race where Novices do well. (16/1)
NAP - Jolly's Cracked It
Nb - Castle Cheetah
Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!
As if that wasn't enough we have four Grade One's in Ireland on Sunday which start with Kalkir who looks to set his season back on track after defeat on Boxing Day. Next up is the Deloitte which was won last year by Vautour and the yard have this year's favourite in Alvisio Ville who was subject to a gamble in the Neptune at Cheltenham throughout the week. Nichols Canyon also represents Willie Mullins in the race as he saddles four of the nine in the field. The Novice Chasers take their turn next with Valseur Lido a short priced favourite and faces strong competition from Apache Stronghold and Le Vent D'Antan. Last but certainly not least we have On His Own taking on Lord Windermere and Boston Bob with Ruby Walsh choosing the first mentioned over the last. But let's get today out of the way first!
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a video preview prepared for you guys as we mark your card for the day's Channel 4 action. Joining myself on the panel today is just @Adamwebb121 but we shall do our best to find you all a few winners. You can watch live tonight at 8pm (Just after) or you can catch it on replay via the link below, enjoy!
Betfair Hurdle Day Video
Now onto the all important selections for today!
3:15 Warwick - Castle Cheetah
We have a bit of a wait until our first selection this weekend with Castle Cheetah for Martin Keighley who's yard have been a bit hit and miss lately. They will still be on a high after Annacotty's victory on Cheltenham Trials Day but he has only had 5 runners since including a third.
We haven't seen much of Castle Cheetah who remains a lightly raced seven year old but one that has shown ability on his last two starts. On the first of those he showed ability for the first time when well backed at Worcester, but found one too in the form of Ballycoe who hasn't been seen since pulled up behind Fletchers Flyer at Ascot when something seemingly amiss. Castle Cheetah then had a break of 90 days before reappearing at Taunton behind Rathlin Rose who has won since to boost the form. He seemed to want a real stamina sapping trip on that occasion and as a result is stepped up to three miles and two furlongs on handicap debut. An added bonus today is the addition of Conor Shoemark who claims a valuable three pounds which makes life easier. The softer ground is also no worry whatsoever and everything points towards a big run on his handicap bow.
The main danger may come in the form of Dawson City who has been in brilliant form since switching to handicaps recently. He is nine pounds higher on this occasion and will need a fair bit more this afternoon so preference is for the unexposed Castle Cheetah. (8/1)
3:35 Newbury - Jolly's Cracked It
Today's second and final selections comes in the form of Jolly's Cracked It who has been a much improved character since switching to Harry Fry's yard. This will be his first major test as he steps out of Novice company for the first time after a good second in the Tolworth Hurdle.
His hurdling debut was a successful one at Ascot and although his jumping left a lot to be desired it was clear that he had a lot of ability. Nick Scholfield sent him to the front a long way from home that day which may not have been to suit after he idled when clear, this ensured that the winning distance was kept to three and a quarter lengths, but it should have been a lot further. He was very workmanlike next time out back at Ascot when again beating Clondaw Banker with Jebril separating them. On paper he only won by a length but if not for an appalling mistake at the second last and a dubious leap at the last he would have won by much further, saying that he never looked like getting beat at any part of the race. His jumping was much better last time out in the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle but proved no match for L'ami Serge, which is no bad thing as he looks one of the top Novices this season.
That leads us nicely onto today for his handicap debut in one of the toughest races of the calendar year, but he is undoubtedly in with a chance off a mark of 140. Today will be a bit of a shock to the system as the most he has faced over hurdles in one race is 7 rivals whereas today will see him tackle 23 other horses. That could see him to best effect as it will allow him to settle behind a few horses and hopefully travel into the race strongly under Nick Scholfield once again. The slightly faster ground shouldn't be much of a problem for him and he looks a nice price in a race where Novices do well. (16/1)
NAP - Jolly's Cracked It
Nb - Castle Cheetah
Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!
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