Perfect jumping ground for Chepstow’s seven-race card and Indian Stream (2.00) can make a winning start for Neil Mulholland in the opener returning from a 522 day break. The selection landed a Worcester Bumper back in September 2013 and ran an excellent race in defeat when runner up to Joanne One at Ffos Las on her hurdles debut. She has already shown she goes well fresh, her new stable remain in excellent form and she looks to have been found an excellent opening.
The Jeremy Scott yard have had a disappointing season but his string were under a bit of a cloud for some of it and they had a welcome winner at Taunton on Monday. They could have some well handicapped horses and Dashaway (2.30) has not been seen since running poorly at Kempton on soft ground back in November but he has bits of earlier form which suggest he could be well treated for his handicap debut.
It is possible that Buachaill Alainn (3.40) has completely lost his way for Peter Bowen but he needs decent ground to be seen at his best and has been dropped 17lbs in three starts since returning from a 12-month break. He is fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time this afternoon and Sean Bowen takes off a further 5lbs. If back to anywhere near his best he would be far too good for today’s field and the yard are in decent form.
The selection once finished third in the 3m Aintree Grade 1 Novice Hurdle and there was much to like about his novice chase success at Worcester albeit the best part of two years ago. The lack of headgear is a slight concern and it is possible that he has just fell out of love with the game. I am prepared to give him one last chance on today’s better ground which I am sure will suit.
Royale Knight (4.15) is an intended runner in the Grand National but I’m not convinced Dr Newland’s 9-year-old will get into the race as he needs 21 horses above him in the handicap to come out. He runs in the handicap hurdle off a mark 20lbs lower than his current chase rating and gets a sporting vote. Jeremy Scott’s Kilmurvy is another to consider in a competitive heat for the grade but I am sticking with Royale Knight each way.
Over at Ludlow and the drying ground will suit Bobobo who ran well in defeat from higher marks on ground softer than ideal earlier in the season for Evan Williams. He had not jumped well before coming down at the eighth of his penultimate start at Ludlow but has been dropped 4lbs since his last effort and a market move would be worth noting. Marginal preference is for the hat-trick seeking Diamond Tammy (2.55) who is 10lbs higher than when scoring at Leicester last time but could be called the winner from some way out.
Mountain King has the scope to jump a fence but has been a bit keen in both starts over the larger obstacles to date. Today’s better ground should suit but Un Anjou (4.05) has been given a break by connections since disappointing at Wincanton on Boxing Day and the hope is that he comes back in the same form as his early season efforts when he looked a progressive chaser with both wins coming on right-handed tracks.
Pacha Du Polder (4.40) has never won beyond 2m 4f but he would be giving plenty of weight away in a handicap and can land the Hunters’ Chase for Paul Nicholls. The selection finished runner up to Teaforthree at Bangor last month and is reported to be on course for the Aintree Foxhunters’ in just over three weeks’ time.
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