The first jumps card of the season at Musselburgh will be run on good ground this afternoon although showers are forecast. Roserrow is likely to be a warm order for the Novices’ Hurdle having won at Sedgefield last time for Donald McCain but he must give 7lbs to hurdling debutant Crinkle Crags and Narcissist (1.30) with the latter getting the vote for Mick Easterby whose string are in such good form.
The selection ran, arguably, a career best when third at Wetherby behind stablemate Lightening Rod last week and he obviously appreciates a sound surface. It is interesting that his astute trainer runs him in a Novice Hurdle rather than trying to exploit his current handicap mark and I would be disappointed if he didn’t reward each way support if the eight declared go to post.
Generous Chief has been raised 7lbs for his Chase debut when finishing well over an inadequate 2m 4f at Carlisle last month. This step back up in trip will suit and it will be interesting to see if there is market support but, despite being 4lbs out of the weights, Shady Sadie (3.30) can make the most of her feather weight especially if there is no further significant rain. The form of her third at Perth on her penultimate start is good form in the context of today’s race and a chance is taken on her stamina lasting around this tight track.
Broxbourne makes her hurdles debut for Nicky Henderson at Fakenham and Barry Geraghty takes the mount on the mare who is likely to be a very warm order. The value might lie with Wild Bill (2.20) who cost leading connections £90,000 at Brightwells’ Sales earlier in the year having won his point-to-point in Ireland. The selection is likely to get further than today’s 2m 4f trip but trainer Evan Williams obviously believes he has enough pace to be competitive at this trip and he gets the vote to shock the favourite.
Geraghty went to Newton Abbot for one mount last month but that was to ride the hitherto disappointing Nicolas Chauvin (2.50) to victory in the Bumper. The selection had gone off a beaten favourite on his three previous starts so had obviously been showing more on the Seven Barrows gallops than he had on the track up to that point. He is taken to make a winning hurdles debut.
Crescent Beach (3.20) might have needed the run at Warwick last month returning from an eight-month lay-off and today’s conditions look ideal for Henry Oliver’s charge. James Davies takes over in the saddle from Denis O’Regan and if he gets him into a nice jumping rhythm I see no reason why he shouldn’t go very close in a very winnable looking race.
At Towcester Hurricane’s Girl must go close for Jonjo O’Neill but his string aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders and Leaderofthedance (3.10) looked a decent prospect when winning her Bumper on soft ground back in the spring and could be a useful mare for Nicky Henderson.
Buddy Love (2.10) appears to save her best for Towcester having won her Bumper here back in 2012 and she ran her best race yet over timber on her only other start here in April. She makes her Chase debut this afternoon and should appreciate underfoot conditions especially if the showers avoid the area.
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