1.45 – I’d hope this race will be at the mercy of GERRI COLOMBE who perhaps was a shade unlucky at Cheltenham not to win. If that race was ran another 9 times I would fancy him to come out on top every time but if you backed him, like me, that one time he didn’t then you will be bitterly disappointed. I’m not sure if this is a betting race today in all honesty and if you wanted a bit of value a forecast involving the favourite with Galia Des Liteuax or Thomas Darby may be the way to play it.
2.20 – I was sweet on FENNOR CROSS at Cheltenham but the way they rode him in the Supreme didn’t give him much of a chance to be competitive. A couple of mistakes at a crucial time put pay to his chance but I’m sure he is better than that and his handicap mark looks very tempting here. One at a bigger price who should improve plenty for the step up in trip is TRITONIC. Alan King has been running him over 2m but being a stayer on the flat I would suggest this step up in trip is exactly what he needs. He might be a lively one at a price.
2.55 – This is a wide open race. Based on the fact I think the Supreme will turn out to be very hot form I find it hard not to back INTHEPOCKET at 4/1 here. For me he is the form horse in here albeit I think he may benefit from a step up in trip, he appeared to show enough class to deal with 2 miles at Cheltenham, he was just beaten some very classy horses. I’m not sure how many of these get that close to Facile Vega and Marine Nationale so the fact he has done so must stand him in good stead here. I expected PEMBROKE to be a shorter price than what he is and he could represent some each way value. I didn’t fancy him at Cheltenham but back on a flat track against novices I think he could do some damage at a price.
3.30 – I think I will stick with FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES here and forgive him for a below par effort at Ascot last time out. He has to reverse that form with Pic D’Orhy but I think he will npw back at his favourite track.
4.05 – This is a very hot renewal this year and although both my selections come from the top 5 in the market they both represent good value. I’ve been sweet on GESSEKILLE all season and it would only be fair if he managed to get his head in front around here after 2 second placed finishes already this season. He looks weighted to strike also. My other selection should have been running in this race last year but connections persevered in the big one itself even though it is pretty clear BURROWS SAINT doesn’t stay that marathon trip. He jumps for fun around here and the drop in trip will really suit. 10/1 is a very fair price.
4.40 – I managed to jump on GREY DAWNING at 10/1 last night as his price has crashed this morning but rightly so. He has looked a real improver this season and the step up in trip will bring about plenty of improvement. He comes here a fresh horse and I will be disappointed if he isn’t in the 3. BLENKINSOP Is one at a price who also comes here fresh and on the up. No one knows how good he is and I’d love to see Henry Daly enjoy some big race success.
.5.15 – This is very good renewal of the race but I will surprised if the market doesn’t come for NIBIRU who chased home Gaelic Warrior last time at Leopardstown. Tony Martin is no stranger to a big handicap win and this lad looks to be on the up and represents serious each way value at 10/1.
Saturday
1.45 – This looks a penalty kick for JONBON who wisely sidestepped the 2m 4f race on Thursday in preference for this. Aidan Coleman won’t have to worry about El Fabiolo here and can ride his own race. Notlongtillmay drops in trip after a super run at the Festival and although he would be a big winner for Laura Morgan I can’t see him getting past Jonbon.
2.25 – I’ve enjoyed some success in this race in the past few seasons so I hope that luck continues as one of my bets of the week runs here. I’m pretty sure WEST BALBOA is a graded mare so ought to be going close here off a mark of 135. A lightly raced mare, Dan Skelton surely hasn’t got to the bottom of her yet and although I was disappointed she didn’t run in the Mares Hurdle at the festival, looking back it was probably a wise decision as she comes here a fresh horse after winning an attritional Lanzarote Hurdle. If she isn’t in the 4 I will be disappointed.
3.00 – This is another good race on Grand National day and any one of 5 or 6 could win. I’d be inclined to take another punt on YOU WEAR IT WELL after her dominant Mares Hurdle success. I was on her that day and she still impressed me with how she won. The drop to two miles wasn’t sure to suit but a front running ride bought her stamina into play and she saw off a decent field of Mares. Back up in trip today I think Gavin Sheehan will be able to ride a proper race on her and if none the worse for those Cheltenham exertions I think she is a player here. Another mare who could be in the shake up is KATEIRA who is very unexposed but has impressed me in all starts to date. She might be forgotten about late on so try and jump on her each way.
3.35 – This division is looking weaker by the week and I have no real interest in punting any of them. If you forced my hand I would probably forgive MARIE’S ROCK for her last run and back her to beat her more exposed rivals here.
4.15 – This doesn’t look an overly deep race either but I hope BEAUPORT can show improved form now he doesn’t have to shoulder a welter burden. A real consistent hurdler he hasn’t quite shown that consistency over fences yet but he has the ability to go close off 10’12 here.
5.15 – In the big one itself I’m going for the 1-2-3-4 and my headline selection would have to be GAILLARD DU MESNIL who showed bundles of stamina when winning a messy National Hunt Chase. I don’t think Patrick Mullins was at his finest that day but Paul Townend takes over the reins today and he enjoyed National success last Monday by winning the Irish version. He chases the big double and he looks to have the right sort of horse for the race. He possesses a touch of class which is what you need in this race these days and he isn’t unfairly weighted at all.
Similar comments apply to DELTA WORK who has had his season tailored around this race. He won the Cross Country Chase at the Festvial again this year and he did it a shade cosily in my opinion. He won’t mind any rain that falls as he bids to go 2 places better than last year.
LONGHOUSE POET is another who has had this race in mind all season and he cuaght the eye last year as he really enjoyed himself over the fences. Perhaps a little too much as he faded late on but a more conservative ride can see him finish closer this time around.
One at a huge price who will be a player if the rain comes is FORTESCUE for the Henry Daly team. There probably isn’t a trip too far for this lad and he has shown he has the necessary class to compete in big races. Off 10’2 he would be an outside bet to run well.
6.20 – A very open race to conclude proceedings and I’m going to have two darts at the board. GO TO WAR looked a bumper horse to follow this year when winning at Uttoxeter in October but hasn’t been seen since. I’m not sure if he has had any problems but judging by the way Fergal O’brien laid Dysart Enos out to win the Mares version of this race I wouldn’t be surprised if he had the same idea with this lad. At 20/1 he looks a solid each way play.
I’m really excited to see BOWENSPARK go over hurdles next season but hope he can run a good race here. He’s looked a really impressive individual when winning at Uttoxeter and Warwick this season but still showed his inexperience at Newbury last time. I’m not sure he liked the quick ground there and he should be more at home here.
