The feature race at Perth today is the 2m 4f Kilmany Cup and Willie Mullins saddles Tennis Cap as he tries to chase down Paul Nicholls in the race for the Trainer’s Title which concludes at Sandown on Saturday.
The Irish raider won a Hurdle at Cork last time and finished runner up in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham back in 2013 but he is still not the most fluent over the larger obstacles and he is likely to start at false odds because of his connections.
Just Cameron lies to bowl along up front but he has never won beyond the minimum trip and near the foot of the weights I hope Sharp Rise (4.00) can make most for Pauline Robson who has her string in such excellent form.
The selection won a Kelso Hurdle last time returning from a break, can’t cope with winter ground, but is equally effective over the larger obstacles and if his conditional jockey can get him into a nice rhythm he can reward each way support at 7/1 with BetVictor.
The Handicap Hurdle over 2m 4f is another cracking contest despite only seven due to go to post and I am sweet on the chances of Braavos (3.00) who has been bogged down, despite winning on his penultimate start, this winter and will appreciate today’s underfoot conditions. I remember the gelding winning his Bumper at Market Rasen back in October and thinking he could develop into a good sort over timber. His “tissue” price is 8/1 with BetVictor and I would be disappointed if he didn’t run a big race.
Valseur Du Granvaal (3.30) didn’t get home after travelling like the best horse in the race for much of the 2m 4f trip on soft ground at Uttoxeter last month and he should appreciate today’s forecast good ground. Tom George has been hitting the bar of late but his string remain in good form and Paddy Brennan takes the ride; Brennan will be in Punchestown next week to ride Cue Card against Don Cossack and possibly Vautour in what promises to be a wonderful highlight of a magnificent five-day festival.
In the finale Impulsive American is unpenalised for winning at Ayr last weekend and, indeed, one could argue he is 5lbs better off with the excellent David Noonan taking off a valuable 5lbs; if the blinkers, worn first time at Ayr, are as effective a second time he will take all the beating.
At Market Rasen I hope the blinkers can work the oracle for Allow Dallow (5.50); the selection is only 5lbs higher than when scoring at Huntingdon back in November and he has bits of form which suggest he could outclass today’s decent opposition with the step back up in trip considered a positive.
At Beverley I am hoping that Beverley Bullet (2.20) can prove aptly named having been taken out of a similar contest at Nottingham at the weekend on account of the soft ground; Graham Gibbons rode the gelding in his last two starts as a juvenile and the selection can give local trainer Les Eyre a welcome winner.
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