Well, a tough first day, where we really can’t make any excuses. The Pharoah of Galway suggested decent performances from KILDISART – HONEYSUCKLE – IMPERIAL AURA – RAVENHILL and Capt. Kneesup had a few places. I hope you made some sense of it all.
As for today’s selections, like a bunch of Cistercian monks, whose illuminated labours have become obscured by the thoughts of dinner, friends, claret and much, we have lost the time for detailed explanation and instead offer these simple calculated thoughts.
Wednesday 11 March 2020
13:30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m 5f
ENVOI ALLEN is too short – but will probably win. The next best is definitely SPORTING JOHN with THE BIG GETAWAY and THE BIG BREAKAWAY probably next best. However, the best longshot is possibly EASYWORK who should be 12/1 I’ll be doing the favourite with all four of them in forecasts and EASYWORK e/w. Watch this race – there are at least three future Cheltenham Champions in it.
14:10 – RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 3m ½f
CHAMP will find the ground too soft. COPPERHEAD is probably the most progressive and MINELLA INDO is probably the winner.
14:50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m 5f
CANARDIER is only 2lbs higher than when 5th last year in this and has recently switched trainers. I smell a plot horse. BIRCHDALE was PU in the Albert Barlett last year and has been kept fresh while informed money seems to be supporting him. PROTEKTORAT has gone up 12lbs for the season, but is rarely out of the Cheltenham frame. COKO BEACH came close in the Fred Winter last year, and this is a slight drop in Grade. BURROWS EDGE is the wrong price and should be 10s (Henderson has won 3 of the last 10) and the horse meets all the race trends; DAME DE COMPAGNIE from the same yard has won twice at Cheltenham and the handicap mark has been protected. CANARDIER wins BURROWS EDGE e/w and COOKO BEACH for some sport.
15:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 2m
DEFI du SEUL beats CHACUN POUR SOI or it’s the other way around. Just enjoy the race.
16:10 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Class 2) (5YO plus) 3m 6f
The two Emanuel Clayeux horses DIESEL D’ALLIER and URGENT DE GREGAINE are not good enough to beat TIGER ROLL, but they will be close enough to challenge if a mistake is made. NEVERUSHACON is in with a chance judging by what I saw of him at Punchestown. His owner would be delighted with a decent place, and the fillip would do him the power of good. All three e/w
16:50 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4YO only) 2m ½f
MICK PASTOR could turn out to be very good indeed, and I will swerve ARAMAX as that was a weak race LTO. ZOFFEE is ground-dependent and REPETITIO is a stand out at 14/1, after decent performances here this season. TRONADOR is, according to Gordon Elliott, “…fairly treated”. I shall do the first, fourth and fifth mentioned.
17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO to 6YO) 2m ½f
Can’t really see past APPRECIATE IT, but ESKYLANE and DARLING DAUGHTER will be the ones to get my e/w money.
Good luck