By Charlie McCann
A wonderful renewal of the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase is the afternoon feature with that wonderful old warrior Sizing Europe trying to give weight (11lbs) and a beating to Champagne Fever (2.20) and that might be a bridge too far for Henry De Bromhead’s stable star.
The selection has an excellent record fresh, will love the forecast soft ground and it is still one of jump racing’s great mysteries that he was beaten a head by Western Warhorse in the Arkle at Cheltenham back in March. This step up to two-and-a-half miles should suit and it will be disappointing if the former dual Festival winner doesn’t make a winning reappearance. The grey is currently 10/1 for the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day with BetVictor and this looks an ideal stepping stone.
Barry Geraghty rides Une Artiste for Nicky Henderson in the Grade 3 Mares Chase and she is closely matched with Byerley Babe (2lbs worse off) who beat the selection a nose at Thurles back in January. The Henderson mare hasn’t been seen since finishing third at Punchestown back in May but with the stable in such good form she gets the vote with fellow British raider Baby Shine considered the danger for Lucy Wadham.
Jamie Spencer has a couple of mounts at Kempton and it is well documented the former Champion jockey retires at the end of the year. He rides The Olympus Man (4.50) in the 7f Nursery and this Olly Stevens inmate must go close on his handicap debut. The selection is obviously no star but ran his best race yet on his handicap debut at Leicester and he has been dropped 3lbs since that effort.
The Happy Hammer (7.50) is down to a mark 2lbs lower than when last successful and should be worth noting in the market for the finale. He wore blinkers when last successful which is a concern given the headgear is not applied this evening, but I am convinced he is well handicapped and might surprise returning from a two-month break.
At Ludlow Southfield Vic will be a warm order in the Introductory Hurdle for Paul Nicholls but I thought winning Irish pointer Laser Hawk (2.30) looked a sure-fire future winner at Chepstow on his first start under rules and can reward each way support. The selection only cost £10,000 back in May and that already looks very good business. Summer Storm represents Nicky Henderson and runs in the colours of Her Majesty the Queen but he didn’t look anything special when beaten 5L at Stratford last month and will have to improve.
Nicholls may have better luck with Sin Bin (2.00) who was well backed and looked to be going well enough when making a terrible mistake at Kempton last time. Both wins have come on good ground and he wouldn’t want conditions too soft but he must go well with the Venetia Williams’ trained Kingcora considered the danger having looked in need of his reappearance at Worcester last month.
There is plenty of pace in the 2m Handicap Chase with both Fond Memory and Cody Wyoming (3.00) likely to push on from the front but preference is for the latter who beat an unexposed sort from the Evan Williams yard at Stratford last month. Cody Wyoming was having his first start for Charlie Mann since leaving the stable of Heather Main and had always been considered a fair sort. A 5lb rise might not prevent him following up.
At Taunton By The Boardwalk (2.10) was still going well for Jason Maguire when coming down on his Chase debut and if that hasn’t left his mark he can score for the very much inform stable of Kim Bailey.
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