Sam Waley-Cohen was unable to add to his excellent record over the National fences at the weekend, falling aboard The Young Master in the Becher at Aintree, but should enjoy a better afternoon thanks to Theatre Territory (12.50) in the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Uttoxeter. The selection was placed in competitive bumpers at Cheltenham at Ascot last term, before finishing down the field in the Listed Mares’ Bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. Already a winning pointer, she will be even better over hurdles, and likely to be even better still when eventually sent over fences.
Kim Bailey’s Dueling Banjos was well-backed for his debut over fences last month at Ascot, falling at the first under David Bass, and bids to make amends in the 3m Novices’ Chase. The 6yo should prove just as effective over the larger obstacles but is likely to be out-classed by David Pipe‘s Champers on Ice (1.30) under Tom Scudamore. The selection ran to a fair standard over hurdles, finishing third in the Albert Bartlett at March’s Cheltenham Festival, and is 33/1 with BetVictor to better that in the RSA Chase in the spring.
Dan Skelton’s Cobrai de Mai is potentially well-treated for the Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles after two runs in class two handicaps at Chepstow and Doncaster, and must go close with brother Harry replacing Bridget Andrews in the plate. He boasts obvious claims but I’m willing to give Tom George‘s KK Lexicon (2.00) under the excellent Adrian Heskin. The selection made a winning return at Southwell over the minimum trip, but bettered that when fourth at Cheltenham last time out. He looked in need of further that day and can bounce back to winning ways now stepping up in trip.
Last year’s Grand National winner Many Clouds bounced back to winning ways at Aintree and has been cut to 20/1 from 25s with BetVictor to become the first horse since Red Rum to land a second National in the spring. The Oliver Sherwood yard appears in rude health at present and Danvinnie must go close in the Novices’ Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.
The 7yo was second in a Novices’ Hurdle at the track last season and warrants maximum respect but I marginally prefer Behind the Wire (3.00) to complete doubles for Tom George and Adrian Heskin. The 5yo showed little in a trio of efforts over timber last season but was a point-to-point winner in his native Ireland and should improve now tackling the larger obstacles from an opening mark of 115.
Harry Fry has a terrific record in bumpers and I’m looking forward to seeing Neon Wolf (3.30) in the finale. The selection is a half-brother to Nick Alexander’s flag-bearer Lakeview Lad and made a winning debut for previous connections when landing a point-to-point in the spring. He looks a wonderful long-term prospect and can make a winning rules debut under Noel Fehily
Jonjo O’Neill’s BetVictor Gold Cup winner Taquin du Seuil is one of 19 runners left in Saturday’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham and a 9/1 chance with BetVictor to complete a memorable double. Jonjo saddles Adam du Breteau in the feature 3m Handicap Chase at Fontwell however, with doubts about him staying three miles I’m willing to give Leo Luna (2.10) a chance for the father and son team of Gary and Jamie Moore. The selection is just 3lb higher than winning last season at Warwick and running well on his first start in over 7 months last time out at Ascot, should strip fitter for the run and go close for the in-form yard.
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