If you are a loyal reader of this column you will be aware that I am a big fan of the Alastair Ralph yard and although I am slightly biased as I have some horses in training with him I do think he has done more than enough to justify himself as a trainer to follow.
I think he is in for a good day tomorrow as he has plenty of chances up and down the country and I will start at Newbury with KATESON who looks to be on a mark which he should be doing some damage from in this grade. His fifth last time at Ascot was disappointing on the face of it but the form does have a strong look to it now and the handicapper has dropped him a further 3lb. With Jay Tidball’s 10lb claim taken into account he actually runs off a mark of 118 which is a career low mark. He was once third in the Challow here and although he hasn’t lived up to that form since, he isn’t that far below it and I expect him to be very competitive here.
Up at Doncaster I expect CHANCEUX to bounce back after a disappointing run last time out. He certainly looks to be on a lenient mark based on his earlier form and I know Alastair thinks the world of him so he must prove better than his run at Newbury. This looks like the ideal opportunity and I hope he can take advantage.
In the next race I’m not too sure why HOLLY HARTINGO is A) a bigger price than Miss Fairfax and B) why she isn’t rated higher than her. She beat her fair and square on hurdle debut at Ludlow and this step up to three should only bring about more improvement. She looked even better at Huntingdon last time out and providing she doesn’t find this too much too soon I think she is a great each way play here.
Finally up at Kelso I think I’ve got 1st & 2nd in the Morebattle Hurdle. BUVEUR D’AIR is clearly the class horse of the race and he has dropped to a mark of 153 which looks very lenient for a dual Champion Hurdle winner. Fitness shouldn’t be an issue and I doubt you would see Nico De Boinville come this far north too often so the hint should be taken. The stiff 2m should suit and I think he will take all the beating.
If he falters however, I think CORMIER should be there to pick up the pieces. He just about won at Cheltenham last time out in what looked a slowly run race. He should be much better suited to this race and the stiff finish will bring out the best in him I’m sure. At 8/1 he is a solid each way player.
Newbury 3.37 – Kateson
Doncaster 1.45 – Chanceux
Doncaster 2.20 – Holly Hartingo
Kelso 3.15 – Buveur D’air / Cormier
