1.30 – This looks like the weaker of the novice chases this week and I am chancing FACILE VEGA bouncing back to form. He looked to have the world at his feet this time last year but he hasn’t quite kicked on over fences yet but I think he has been running over the wrong trip. To me, he shapes like a stayer and to look at him he is a big, strong individual who will appreciate a stamina test. This looks like the ideal race for him as I don’t think it is that deep and he comes here under the radar in a funny sort of way.
2.10 – I’ve been sweet on CHANTRY HOUSE for this race for a few weeks now as he looks to have dropped to a mark which he should be winning from. A once classy hurdler and chaser has had his fair share of problems but he looks a much happier individual now dropped into handicap company. The form of the Henderson stable is a worry but let’s see how they get on in the run up to this and make an assessment then. At a bigger price I think KYNTARA has been overlooked given his form on soft ground. The ground is due to dry out a bit as the week goes on but if it remains soft then he must enter the reckoning.
2.50 – This is a wide open race this year and I’m chancing course favourite FUGITIF to pick up the pieces late on. He will have to prove himself at this level but there are plenty of questions for the market leaders to answer and I wouldn’t be rushing to back any of them currently. At 20/1 I will back the selection to finish in the places.
3.30 – It’s unlike me to back the favourite in a race as competitive as this year’s Stayers Hurdle but I do like the claims of TEAHUPOO. He is a much better horse when fresh and I think connections have now worked that out. Still only 7 years old there is every chance he has improved from last year where he was narrowly denied in this same race. He looks the most solid horse in this race.
4.10 – THEATRE MAN was put up in this column earlier in the season as a horse to follow and I’m pleased to see him line up at the Festival. His run behind Ginny’s Destiny last time out looks good form and the booking of Harry Cobden suggests connections are very confident as Paul Nicholls has runners in this race as well. He will have to handle the hustle and bustle of a big handicap but I think he will be up in the van so may not be inconvenienced by the many runners.
4.50 – Birghterdayshead might be a good thing here but I’m hoping DYSART ENOS drifts to an each way price as I think she is a fair mare in her own right. She seems to travel so strongly through her races which has resulted in her dispatching many of the horses that she has come up against so far in her career. It will take a good one to get her off the bridle so let’s see how far she can go before she is asked to.
5.30 – This is a tough way to end proceedings on Day 3 and much will depend on the ground. Amirite will appreciate a sounder surface and would be the selection if the ground has really dried out by then but a sound each way play at this stage is probably RAPPER. He bounced back to form last time out in what was a good race but prior to that he has plenty of form around here especially when hacking up here off a pound lower in January last year. Anthony O’Neill takes over the reins and I think the horse will appreciate his style of riding and he looks value at 20/1.
