Well the suit may be a little threadbare, and the shoes may need some heeling, but the spirit remains undaunted and with the return of the National Hunt season, it’s time to get busy on recouping some of The Tissue’s recent losses.
For some, the first day at Cheltenham heralds the beginning of the season. However, for me, it is the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase. The trends give us four horses to consider and they are DRUMCLIFF – INTERNAL TRANSFER – MOVEWITHTHETIMES – SNUGSBOROUGH BENNY. Snugsborough Benny is just carrying to much weight for my liking, Movewiththetimes simply doesn’t have the class; Internal Transfer is far too short a price, (but might win), and Drumcliff can be very in and out – but is worth a dabble at decent prices and with Geraghty as pilot and a 2lb advantage over his last winning weight, I will have a small e/w punt. With both Na Trachtalai Abu and Static Jack drawn, the reserve Cabaret Queen gets in and immediately goes to 2nd Favourite. Six of the last seven winners of this were aged six and seven, but that puts the focus on just two horses in today’s renewal with Cabaret Queen and The Big Lense. The pair were first and second at Listowel last month in their prep for today in a race half a mile shorter and on good ground, with The Big Lense scoring again since and up a total of 16lb, as he goes for the hat-trick today. I also think that the form of last year’s race is worth revisiting and that gives me two from the front three, one with too much weight and Black Scorpion for Mr McNamara who sticks his 7lb claiming son Conor on board.
As you can see, this is trickier than trying to stop Greta scowling, but I’m plumping for DRUMCLIFF e/w – THE BIG LENSE – BLACK SCORPION.