The season has now progressed from a simmer to a bubble of anticipation before we hit boiling point in March. Our national hunt thoroughbreds are now into the mid season and we have already witnessed some progressive performances that will keep us guessing, hoping and praying that come the festival at the beautiful Cotswolds track that we will reap the reward of having patience and the stoicism to believe in our hurdlers and jumpers even if they do fail to accomplish the goal of becoming a hero.
Cheltenham
13.15pm Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 5f (Class 2)
The soft ground description that is presently displayed will no doubt change to heavy. Cheltenham is a notorious stiff track; where the pre-eminent hill destroys many a thoroughbreds dream of winning. With this in mind and the nature of this undulating track it always pays to back a previous winner and a true stayer. Though, I'm a great believer that a novice can surprise even the most sagacious judge and I usually have one foot firmly planted in that camp. With this in mind I'm very interested in the chances of SAMINGARRY a very progressive type hailing from a small yard in deepest Devon. Nigel Hawke is a trainer who can certainly get them ready and has booked the 'renaissance man' AP McCoy to pilot this thoroughly talented 7 year old. His last run at Chepstow in December illiustrated his accurate jumpng and his determined running style, staying on in the finish and beating Annacotty on that day who reopposes. That form has been rubber stamped by the Martin Keighley trained Beneficial gelding who won on his previous start at Kempton and looks a solid enough yard stick to gage the ability of SAMINGARRY here. This distance will suit, the ground and track are a little unknown but I'm confident he will run a credible race under a featherweight.
13.50pm Trophy Chase 2m 5f (Grade 3 Handicap)
You find in thoroughbred racing that you can hold certain feelings that mirror your feelings towards people you meet in this celestial universe we find ourselves in. What do I mean? Well, sometimes the qualities found in a human that portrays a sense of underachievement, a lost soul, a trier and a thinker who can't quite articulate the knowledge and motives they have to progress in life are always people I seem to find the most intriguing and interesting; that brings me on to my selection. TAP NIGHT has been in my notebook since his superlative performances at Ayr in the space of a month over the 2 mile and 2 mile 4 furlong trip back in 2013 and I'm certain that Lucinda Russell still holds this chestnut in the highest of regard. TAP NIGHT has been rated as high as 153 and ran a credible second to Radhjani Express at Carlisle back in November and a repeat of that performance would put him right in here off a relative low weight. The ground is not a concern but the jumping may unravel into an array on inconsistencies' but I'm hoping he'll prove me wrong. For some reason I really love this horse and that may be his weird American pedigree, he enigmatic recent performances and the fact he's owned by John McManus either way I'm hoping for a return to form.
14.25pm Argento Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 110y
ROCKY CREEK is a solid jumper and stayer, his profile is one of progression and looks to have these at his mercy. His run in the Hennessy was brilliant, on that day he jumped well and was just given too much to do by the handicapper. This Paul Nicholl's Dr Massini gelding will take all the beating and nothing here seems to be able to hold a candle when looking at their current handicap marks. ROCKY CREEK has form in the book which illustrates his consisting jumping style and portrays a stayer who has strong stamina reserves. His win in the Reynaldstown showed his tenacity, steel and heart in getting the better of Houblen Des Obeaux who reopposes here but is running off a mark which is far too high.
15.15pm Sky Bet Chase 3m (Listed Handicap)
This is the under the radar selection: TIME FOR RUPERT (14/1 EACH WAY)
Cheltenham
13.15pm Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 5f (Class 2)
The soft ground description that is presently displayed will no doubt change to heavy. Cheltenham is a notorious stiff track; where the pre-eminent hill destroys many a thoroughbreds dream of winning. With this in mind and the nature of this undulating track it always pays to back a previous winner and a true stayer. Though, I'm a great believer that a novice can surprise even the most sagacious judge and I usually have one foot firmly planted in that camp. With this in mind I'm very interested in the chances of SAMINGARRY a very progressive type hailing from a small yard in deepest Devon. Nigel Hawke is a trainer who can certainly get them ready and has booked the 'renaissance man' AP McCoy to pilot this thoroughly talented 7 year old. His last run at Chepstow in December illiustrated his accurate jumpng and his determined running style, staying on in the finish and beating Annacotty on that day who reopposes. That form has been rubber stamped by the Martin Keighley trained Beneficial gelding who won on his previous start at Kempton and looks a solid enough yard stick to gage the ability of SAMINGARRY here. This distance will suit, the ground and track are a little unknown but I'm confident he will run a credible race under a featherweight.
13.50pm Trophy Chase 2m 5f (Grade 3 Handicap)
You find in thoroughbred racing that you can hold certain feelings that mirror your feelings towards people you meet in this celestial universe we find ourselves in. What do I mean? Well, sometimes the qualities found in a human that portrays a sense of underachievement, a lost soul, a trier and a thinker who can't quite articulate the knowledge and motives they have to progress in life are always people I seem to find the most intriguing and interesting; that brings me on to my selection. TAP NIGHT has been in my notebook since his superlative performances at Ayr in the space of a month over the 2 mile and 2 mile 4 furlong trip back in 2013 and I'm certain that Lucinda Russell still holds this chestnut in the highest of regard. TAP NIGHT has been rated as high as 153 and ran a credible second to Radhjani Express at Carlisle back in November and a repeat of that performance would put him right in here off a relative low weight. The ground is not a concern but the jumping may unravel into an array on inconsistencies' but I'm hoping he'll prove me wrong. For some reason I really love this horse and that may be his weird American pedigree, he enigmatic recent performances and the fact he's owned by John McManus either way I'm hoping for a return to form.
14.25pm Argento Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 110y
ROCKY CREEK is a solid jumper and stayer, his profile is one of progression and looks to have these at his mercy. His run in the Hennessy was brilliant, on that day he jumped well and was just given too much to do by the handicapper. This Paul Nicholl's Dr Massini gelding will take all the beating and nothing here seems to be able to hold a candle when looking at their current handicap marks. ROCKY CREEK has form in the book which illustrates his consisting jumping style and portrays a stayer who has strong stamina reserves. His win in the Reynaldstown showed his tenacity, steel and heart in getting the better of Houblen Des Obeaux who reopposes here but is running off a mark which is far too high.
15.15pm Sky Bet Chase 3m (Listed Handicap)
This is the under the radar selection: TIME FOR RUPERT (14/1 EACH WAY)
Comments
Post a Comment