By Charlie McCann
We have three Jumps' cards to get our teeth into this afternoon and we begin in the north east at Sedgefield where Distime (1.50) is taken to go one better than on his seasonal reappearance when runner up to the very progressive Baileys Concerto at Aintree. The winner followed up at Musselburgh from a 7lb higher mark last week and the selection ought to be able to shrug off his own 2lb rise.
Winning pointer Another Mattie should appreciate stepping up in trip on his chase debut having run well over timber at Kelso on his reappearance. He receives 5lbs from the selection and ought to win his fair share of chases going forward as should Greensalt who makes his chase debut for Donald McCain. The latter is still a maiden but has never finished out of the first three in seven starts in Bumpers or over Hurdles; he has the scope to jump a fence and is another to consider in an excellent and informative heat.
Hi George may have been flattered by his head defeat of Gold Cup fancy Holywell at Catterick when last seen in December and begins his handicap life off a high enough mark. Riskier (2.20) lost his way somewhat last season, but can go well fresh and this race looks likely to have been the target for some time for trainer John Wade. The selection receives weight from all six rivals and whilst he wouldn't want further rain that sentiment could apply to a number of his rivals and he must go close for his local yard.
Soft ground is the order of the day at Huntingdon and the Novices Limited Handicap Chase looks a match between O Maonlai, making his British debut for Tom George, and Ned Stark (2.40) and preference for the latter is marginal. Both horses have always hinted that they would make better chasers than hurdlers with the Alan King runner getting the vote in what promises to be another informative contest.
The most valuable race on the card is the Michaelmas Hurdle and Softsong has his first start for David Pipe and should be noted for a market move. Barry Geraghty showcased his extraordinary talents at Wincanton on Saturday and Volnay De Thaix must go close but the vote goes to My Oh Mount Brown (2.10) whose chasing career looks to have been put on hold to have a crack at this valuable prize. The selection has joined Dan Skelton since winning at Southwell back in the spring and this winning pointer holds an entry for Saturday's valuable “Fixed Brush” Hurdle at Haydock.
Geraghty rides El Namoose (1.40) on his Hurdles debut for John Ferguson and can't be opposed having won three of his four Bumper starts including on soft ground here last month. He could be a very decent recruit to hurdling and his only defeat came in the Champion Bumper at the Festival back in March.
Tothemoonandback (1.10) won an egg and spoon race at Plumpton earlier in the month but a 7lb penalty might not be enough to prevent him following up with Conditional George Gorman taking off 10lbs from his back. His inexperienced pilot has ridden two winners and the Gary Moore horse does have winning form on soft ground, which is thin on the ground, although a market move for bottom weight Over My Head would be worth a second glance given he will cope with the forecast soft ground on his chase debut.
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