Well here we go again ! It looks like being a damp and chilly
one weather wise, and once again trying to sift through running plans makes
this preview a bit of a lottery. Peej has already done sterling worl on trends
and stats so I am not repeating any of those, so here are the punters views.
Tuesday
1.30
Punter Likes , Doding Bullets, Melodic
Rendezous, My Tent or Yours, Puffin Billy, Un Atout
I am not totally convinced that My Tent or Yours is the good
thing many think, and a tough handicap hurdle is not the ideal warm up, so The Punter goes,
1 Dodging Bullets, 2
My Tent Or Yours, 3, Melodic Rendezous.
2.05 Simonsig looks a good thing but again missed
his prep race and Overturn will ensure a really tough race. Had Avika
Ligeonniare not fallen last time I would fancy him more highly.
Punter goes 1 Overturn, 2 Simonsig, 3 Arvika
Ligeonniare
2.40
Guessing what runs is the big one here, JJ
O’Neill and Venitia Williams hold the key for me, and have multiple entries
with similar chances.
1 Relax, 2 Alfie Sherin, 3 Pete The Feat
3.20
I still think Rock On Ruby is going to be
thereabouts and at 6/1 for a defending champ is solid e/w value, but the more I
look the more I like Zarkandar.
1 Zarkandar, Rock On Ruby, 3 Hurricane Fly
4.00
The cross country chase ! Balthazar King won
last year and follow ups are frequent, and he has a live chance, Chicago Grey
is a high class sort, Double Dizzy , Leach and Scail have chances. I am told
Martin Keighley has specially prepared Any Currency for this and expects a big
run.
1 Balthazar King, 2 Any Currency, Chicargo
Grey
4.40
1, Quevega , Kentford Grey Lady 3, Une
Artiste
5.15
Another competitive handicap, Howards Legacy,
Nuts N Bolts, The Druids Nephew, Fourjacks, Buckers Bridge catch my eye and are
very close in the ratings.
1 Fourjacks 2 Howards Legacy 3 Nuts N Bolts
Wednesday
1.30
Jockety bookings are as important as any
thing in the 4m amateur chase, so a real pin stick at present
1 Back In Focus, 2 Harry Topper, 3 Rose of
The Moon
2.05
Irelands hot pot Pont Alexandre goes here and
I am told that Jackdaws Castle consider Tarquin Du Seuil their best of the
week. Others taht should figure are The New one and Bondage who is a course and
distance winner as is the New One. I am going to go with a bit of value e/w
1 Tarquin Du Seuil , 2 Pont Alexandre 3, The
New One
2.40
Dynaste looks a good thing but how often have
they failed in this ! Paul
Nicholls has 3 with live chances, Sire Collonges gave 9lb to Our Father over
c/d in his only defeat but Rocky Creek and Unioniste could be the Nicholls rep
instead. Unioniste had Our Father behinf at Newbury so
1 Sire Collonges 2 Dynaste, Boston Bob
3.20
This could be the smallest field for a while
at the Festival.
1 Sprinter Sacre 2 Sizing Europe 3 Wishful Thinking
4.00
If I even pick a runner from the 200 entries
I will be pleased !
Carlo Brigante won this 2 years ago and if he
reverts to hurdles here has a big chance again. Native Gallery , Kells Belle
Double Ross, Bondage Ericht also holdchances.
1.
Ericht, 2 Native Gallery 3 Double Ross
4.40
One of the weaker and dangerous races ,
Juvenile handicap hurdle !
1 Ruacana, 2 Cockney Sparrow, Saphir Du Rheu
5.15
The
Bumper, As always Willie Mullins has numerous enties, Union Dues looks the best
of them, Le Vent d’Antan also from across the water looks a big player. From
the English side Vieux Lion Rouge, Milo Milan Oscar Rock should go well.
1 Vieux Lion Rouge 2 Le Vent D’Antan , Oscar
Rock
Thursday
1.30
1 Aupcharlie 2 Third Intention 3 Molotof
2.05
Ely Brown 2 Jetson 3 Knock A Hand
2.40
1Rocky Creek 2 Tofino Bay 3Houblon Des Obeaux
3.20
Despite the absence of Big Bucks this does
not look wide Open and some potential contenders have also fallen to injury.
Reve De Sivola looks the pick, Oscar Whiskey
and Zaidapour in that order
4.00
Vino Griego, Hectors Choice, Mad Moose are
all c/d winners with chances, Kapga De Cerisy, Big Fella Thanks Call the Police
also come in to the reckoning.
1 Kapga De Cerisy, 2 Mad Moose 3, Vino Griego
4.40
Rose Of The Moon, 2 Magnaminity 3
Harry The Viking
Points
February Total
Neil
141.7 629.8
Bob
179.2 518.5
Steve
93.9 488.7
John
146.9 481.6
Tony
107.1 457.3
Martin 82.1 413.4
Cod
93.8
363.7
Cliff
118.5 343.9
Peej
53.3 326.3
News
Alderwood was a notable absentee from the
Rewards4 Racing Novices' Handicap Steeple Chase at next week's Cheltenham
Festival
Tom
Scudamore has reaffirmed his faith in Grands Crus after the
David Pipe-trained gelding went through his paces after racing at Exeter on
Tuesday
