| |
Whether it
be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will
attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight
the fancied horses participating each day and their characteristics and
requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a winner
or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a particular fancy
of yours ... it may even convince you to back some of those horses which
we feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS
- For each race, I have given you who, in my view, are the
likeliest winners, as well as horses who could run well at eachway odds.
'R#ecommended'
horses have, in our view, the best chances of success each day. Any
horses from our 'Horses To Follow' list are shown at the foot of each
race's analysis. POSTING TIMES FOR SELECTIONS__
Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the
previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other
commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings
unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps
CHELTENHAM
Saturday 27th January
1:10 Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices' Handicap Hurdle Class D
THE ROOK _Kaid, Yann's, Sweet Iron, Colombian Green, Interdit, Soeur De Sentier, Marble Arch, and Master Russell, all appeal in the opener. I prefer Yann's who has looked
promising on both of his starts in Britain, and easily carried 12-0 to victory at Ludlow last time out, who gets the vote over Interdit who lost in defeat when coming second to Avalon Buck (a winner since) at
Exeter 26 days ago
'No.1 Choice' _ Yann's
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Interdit,
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Yann's, Soeur De Sentier,
1:45 Letheby & Christopher Handicap Hurdle Class B
THE ROOK _ Very open handicap hurdle comes next, where Torso, Grivery, Landing Light, Master Tern, Stormy Skye, Copeland, Flagship Colm, Dhaudeloup, Doctor Goddard, Ferrers, Eastwell Hall, and La Landiere, all are entitled to close inspection. Landing Light, is
being touted as a Champion Hurdle horse, so should surely win this off of this mark, however he has plenty of questions to answer, and must prove he is better
than his 20 length defeat by Valiramix at Ascot in December. Torso has plenty to prove around this track, and may come off worst
again against Flagship Colm who outbattled him in an epic finish at Kempton on Boxing Day. Grivery interests me as well, mainly because there are so few
opportunities for him in France, that its conceivable that this useful chaser/hurdler may well be
transferred over here. I like La Landiere who showed good form in novice hurdles last term, and will come on for her promising 7th to Supreme Fortune at Haydock three
weeks ago
'No.1 Choice' _ La Landiere (e/w)
'Alternative' _ Landing Light
Longshot__ Grivery
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Landing Light, La Landiere
2:20 Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase Class C
THE ROOK _ Whilst he represents nothing in the way of value Imperial De Thaix, does have
decent claims in the third, as conditions appear to be in his favour, and there are doubts about his rival to handle conditions. He is hard to fault on his two wins at Chepstow, and should oblige. One horse who
will be better once the ground dries up is Stormyfairweather's brother Ceanannas Mor. He has always been well regarded at home, and worth keeping an eye on for the future
'No.1 Choice' _ Imperial De Thaix,
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Ceanannas Mor,
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Ceanannas Mor,
2:50 Pillar Property Chase Class A Grade 2
THE ROOK _ A tactically predictable race, with an uncertain outcome. Beau, is the likeliest to lead, though See More
Business wont be far away, and both of these will attempt to expose any frailty in Cyfor Malta's armoury.
That's what should happen, as neither of these two stand to benefit for a slowly run
affair. I can understand why Beau's connections are confident of beating See More Business, as Kempton wont suit him as much as his track will, and his style of facing could mess up See More
Business' rhythm, and those who suggest that he (See More Business) would be the one to beat if back in top form, overlook this fact, and
don't be surprise if this tactic is deployed. Whilst connections will have him as straight as they want him to be at this stage, they
have made no secret that they have one race on their agenda and he'll improve on this effort. An
absence from the racetrack is a blessing in disguise, and whilst he I'm not expecting fireworks, I expect him to come home safe and sound .... and
victorious
'No.1 Choice' _ Cyfor Malta
'(e/w) Alternative' _
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __ Cyfor Malta
3:30 Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle Class A Grade 1
THE ROOK _This is a fascinating race, but not as significant with regards to the Champion Hurdle, as some suggest. (an obviously comparison will be drawn to Geos, through Barton,
but that is dangerous in a slowly run race). There isn't much pace guaranteed, and
Mister Banjo may end up forcing the issue (which detracts from his chances slightly). Barton, and Youlneverwalkalone, look the likeliest winners though Lady Rebecca, may be interesting if
connections have got her back after failing to get her into foal in the autumn. I
don't think Barton did anything wrong in the Bula Hurdle, and simply got done for toe by a improving horse. He appears to have less to prove than Youlneverwalkalone, who disapointed in that event, however Youlneverwalkalone had previous beaten Moscow Flyer with contempt at Fairyhouse, and appears to be the 'form horse'...
that's why he's the selection
'No.1 Choice' _ Youlneverwalkalone
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Run For Paddy,
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Youlneverwalkalone
4:05 Ladbroke Trophy Chase Handicap Class B
THE ROOK _Young Spartacus, Robbo, Upgrade, Bramblehill Duke, Red Marauder, Just Jasmine, Wise King, and Kingsmark, make plenty of appeal in the sixth. Young Spartacus has run creditably this term and having failed to outstay fellow 'Horse To Follow' Robbo at Kelso, failed by 3lengths to concede 24lbs to Bramblehill Duke at
Uttoxeter. He is much better off at the weights with both of these, and can reverse places with these
opponents. He is the selection, although Upgrade's form is solid, and he may go well for eachway punters
'No.1 Choice' _ Young Spartacus,
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Upgrade
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Young Spartacus, Robbo
4:35 Wragge & Co Finesse Four Years Old Hurdle Class A Grade 2
THE ROOK _Pedro Pete, is worth opposing in the last as this useful recruit may not be best suited to this course's undulations, or reading between the comments ,made by Mick Fitzgerald
earlier this week, you got the impression that his connections were worried
about his lasting home here. He has a serious chance if he does, but I'd rather see him do it. This may well turn out being fought out between Jair Du Cochet, and Janus Du Cochet. Jair Du Cochet was the best of these when they were both trained in
France by Guillaume Macaire, but Mr Macaire's comments at Folkestone made it clear that Janus du Cochet was clearly improving before being purchased, and could give him plenty to think about. That view is endorsed by Christopher Iles, and I'll go with him here
'No.1 Choice' _ Janus du Cochet
'(e/w) Alternative' _
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __ Janus du Cochet
|
|
