The calm after the Cheltenham storm has descended with racing from Taunton, Southwell and Chelmsford City this afternoon and whilst spotting the next ‘Faugheen the machine’ may be perhaps speculative, there’s excellent NH nonetheless and King‘s Odyssey (2.15) potentially very useful for the Ruckers at Southwell. The selection has been progressive in bumpers and Novices’ Hurdles including chasing home subsequent scorer Some Plan at Southwell in November, the pair pulling 26l clear of Charlie Longsdon’s 138-rated A Vos Gardes, with the 6-y-o has held his form well thereafter.
He was done for speed when a beaten favourite at Sandown in December and returned from a short-break to chase home Nicky Henderson’s Champagne Express last month at Chepstow. The form of that race has worked out exceptionally, the third and the sixth winning on his next start, and King’s Odyssey is taken to get the better of stablemate Wild Bill and Oliver Sherwood’s Lemony Bay.
Alan King‘s Tiger Feat (3.40) is another animal that has been a gradual work-in-progress but is taken to make his winning debut in handicap company from an opening mark of 94. His best performance thus far has come on good-to-firm ground last spring at Newton-Abbot and he can prove better than his mark suggests, returning to much better ground.
Whilst the eyes of the racing world was focused on Gloucestershire last week, Dan Skelton produced something of a coup with Storm of Swords (4.10) landing a gamble at Sedgefield and he can follow-up under a penalty in the 2m Handicap Hurdle. The talented Bridget Andrews takes the ride, taking off an invaluable 7lb, and it looks a relatively straightforward task after Tuesday‘s eight-length success.
The pair can double-up with Yes I Did (4.40) in the Mares’ Bumper. The selection makes her debut under rules after winning a point-to-point in her native Ireland, pulling clear with the runner-up winning thereafter. The form of that race looks strong and the well-bred daughter of Craigsteel is taken to get the better of Sir Mark Prescott’s Sea the Stars, filly Sea Pride.
David Pipe enjoyed an excellent Cheltenham Festival with Our Package and Moon Racer giving the stable a double at the meeting and his Perspicace (3.20) can make a winning debut over timber in the 2m Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton. The selection was rated 77 on the flat and makes his debut in the colours of father Martin after changing hands at the sales in March. The selection is interestingly entered in a similar contest at Ludlow later on in the week, with connections fancying their chances to score this afternoon, and likewise thereafter under a penalty.
Vayland (3.50) can secure a double for Pond House in the second division of the Novices’ Hurdle under stable jockey Tom Scudamore. The 6-y-o made an excellent start to life under rules winning a Hexham bumper for the Crawfords, before being purchased by Simon Munir thereafter. He was in the process of running a huge race when falling behind Value at Risk at Newbury in December, and whilst disappointing last time out, can bounce back and shed the maiden tag at the belated third attempt.
Marco Botti’s Dragoon Guard will be a likely warm favourite for the feature 10f handicap at Chelmsford Park however will have it all to do drawn out in stall seven and at the forecast prices a chance is taken on Willie Musson’s Candyman Can (4.00) under Martin Dwyer. The selection hasn’t been seen sighted leaving Dominic-French Davis 11 months ago however he brings strong form from Lingfield and Southwell and appears potentially well-treated to make a winning debut for new connections.
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