Jump racing is back with a bang, and BetVictor have cut Charlie Hall Chase winner Irish Cavalier to 20/1 from 33s with BetVictor for both the Betfair Chase and the Hennessy after beating previous winners Menorah and Cue Card in a pulsating finish to Wetherby’s G2 contest on Saturday. Rebecca Curtis‘ improving gelding could prove a Gold Cup horse for connections and, should they opt to step the unexposed 7yo up in trip, would be over-priced as a 33/1 chance with BetVictor for jump racing’s blue riband at the Cheltenham festival in March.
Speaking of the Gold Cup, reigning Champion Don Cossack shed the maiden tag over fences in corresponding Beginners’ Chase two seasons back at Galway and Gordon Elliott can enjoy further success in the race with Free Expression (1.55) likely to reward favourite backers under Barry Geraghty. The selection ran to a high standard, without winning over the larger obstacles last season, and looks well-placed to shed the maiden tag chasing at the belated fourth time of asking.
Elliott saddles Killer Crow, one of two Irish entries for next month’s BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham, in the 2m 6f Handicap Chase and remains open to further improvement over fences however preference lies instead with Michael Winters’ Another Rebel (2.25) from the head of the weights. The selection has a wonderful record with MJ Ferris in the plate, and looks better than a 132-rated handicap chaser.
Closer to home they go jumping from both Plumpton and Hereford; with just the second card at the latter since last month’s grand re-opening. The track was well-supported last month and that has carried over onto this afternoon’s card where Whataknight (1.30) should get off the mark over fences in the 3m Beginners’ Chase for Harry Fry and Noel Fehily. The selection was a beaten favourite when making a pleasing debut over the larger obstacles two weeks ago at Ffos Las but remains open to further improvement over the larger obstacles and should get his head in front.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies enjoyed a double at the last meeting here and should enjoy further success with Kilronan High (2.30) in the Mares’ Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. The form of her runner-up effort to Kilbree Kid last time out at Perth has worked out well and she looks well-treated from just a 2lb higher mark.
On Demand (4.00) bolted-up when put up as a confident selection in the column last week and should follow-up under a penalty in the finale. Colin Tizzard’s mare stayed on strongly to win by 18 lengths 8 days ago at Wincanton and has obvious claims and has obvious claims under her 7lb penalty.
At Plumpton I’m keen to see how Jamie Snowden’s Queens Present (2.10) in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle after an exciting debut over timber when chasing home well-backed favourite Colin’s Sister earlier in the month at Chepstow. The selection joined the yard having landed a Uttoxeter bumper for former handler Aidan Fitzgerland in the summer and looks a terrific long-term prospect for her new connections.
There’s £50,000 on offer for the Kempton feature on the all-weather where 12lb separated the 11 horses in the Middle Distance Final. Charlies Mate has shown himself to be a model of consistency around the track and is now 15lb higher than scoring on the corresponding card 12 months ago.
He will likely give another solid account but he is overlooked instead for Sixties Groove (4.50) under the excellent Adam Kirby. Jeremy Noseda’s colt has improved leaps and bounds since landing a course and distance handicap earlier in the season but remains open to yet further progression and gets the nod to reward each-way support from the ideal draw in stall six.
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