Cheltenham‘s two-day International meeting kicks-off with a terrific renewal of the 3m Novices’ Chase where Vicente and Blaklion re-oppose after the former’s victory over course and distance at the Open Meeting. Paul Nicholls’ 6-y-o will struggle to follow-up under a penalty, as will recent Exeter scorer Onenightinvienna, with Fletchers Flyer (12.00) well-treated to reverse the form with Philip Hobbs’ charge under Noel Fehily. The selection jumped well on his chase debut and with the Harry Fry stable in much better form can shed the maiden tag over fences at the second time of asking.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies yard are similarly flying, three winners from the handler’s last eight runners at the time of writing, and recent scorer Kilronan High (12.35) fancied to follow-up in the 2m 4f Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase. The mare jumped beautifully when winning impressively last time out at Southwell and despite a 7lb penalty remains 5lb ahead of the handicapper.
David Pipe‘s Vieux Lion Rouge made it 3/3 over fences on bottomless ground last month at Haydock and should go close to maintaining his unbeaten record from a 7lb higher mark. He has to defy a career high mark however, and preference lies instead with Sausalito Sunrise (1.45) who gets the nod despite being raised 6lb for scoring at last month’s Open Meeting. Philip Hobbs’ 7-y-o has long been held in high regard by the stable and after returning to winning ways last time out should continue his progression at the expense of Neil Mulholland’s The Druid’s Nephew, who should strip fitter after a recent pipe-opener over hurdles.
The Hobbs yard tend to aim one of their better ones at the closing 2m Novices’ Hurdle, with Village Vic (8/1 with BetVictor for tomorrow’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup) a beaten favourite in the corresponding race back in 2012 and stablemate Drumlee Sunset (3.25) fancied to make amends under Richard Johnson. The selection unseated his rider in the early stages of a similar contest at last month’s Open Meeting but prior to that was previously an excellent second behind Dan Skelton’s subsequent scorer Mister Miyagi over course and distance in October and based on that run should go close.
Today is similarly the first day of an excellent two-day meeting at Doncaster where Jonjo O’Neill’s Call to Order (12.10) should be too good for his rivals in the first division of the Maiden Hurdle over the minimum trip. The well-bred son of Presenting has been second in both a bumper and a hurdle and, despite not likely to be seen in his best light until sent over fences, should be good enough to score under Richie McClernon.
Flemensmix scored impressively on his seasonal debut on soft ground at Huntingdon and may struggle on better ground and a 10lb higher mark. Kim Bailey’s 7-y-o heads the weights for the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles and whilst he is respected, a chance is taken on Buckled (1.20) at a likely double figure price. The selection has shown glimpses of promise without placing in three starts over timber but could be potentially well-treated stepping up in trip from an opening mark of 104.
Paul Nicholls’ Katgary bids to follow-up last month’s excellent chase debut at Fakenham but will find it difficult giving 7lb to Nicky Henderson‘s Volnay De Thaix (3.00) under Nico De Boinville. Seven Barrows’ 159-rated hurdle made a winning reappearance last term, before being unfortunate not to get his head in front thereafter. Excellent efforts in defeat at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals sees him boast form head and shoulders above his three rivals and the 6-y-o is a confident selection to make a winning debut over fences.
Vyta Du Roc (12.20) is another making his debut over the larger obstacles and should get the better of Jonjo O’Neill’s The Saint James at Bangor. Nicky Henderson’s gelding won his first four starts over timber, before chasing home Parlour Games in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury and far from disgraced in G1 Company thereafter. Providing he jumps fences as well as he does hurdles he is confident selection to score under Daryl Jacob.
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