Katie Midwinter (25/04/24)
SANDOWN
1:50pm – Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
A maximum field of twenty runners are set to head to post in a competitive renewal of a race previously won by Knappers Hill and Under Control, respectively. Ben Pauling-trained Fiercely Proud edges favouritism on a mark of 130, having enjoyed a successful season with two victories, a third-placed finish to Jeriko Du Reponet in a Doncaster Grade Two, and most recently when second in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle behind Lump Sum.
Panjari has 5lb claimer Freddie Gingell aboard, easing his burden of top-weight on a mark of 136 that looks somewhat harsh considering his inconsistent form and the level at which he has been competing. A useful performer on the Flat, he didn’t cope with the occasion on hurdling debut at Chepstow but showed progression, winning at Taunton before finishing third to Go Dante at Cheltenham.
Two wins and two disappointments since, he is difficult to trust but clearly possesses plenty of talent, however given he was over twelve-lengths behind Fiercely Proud at Kempton, he doesn’t appear to be particularly well-handicapped, although there could be further improvement to come in future.
The likeable Secret Squirrel has captured the hearts of many with his unique looks, but he has also proven to possess plenty of ability and is less exposed than a number of his rivals. He has performed consistently well throughout his career to date, finishing among the first two in all of his starts in the National Hunt sphere. A mark of 126 appears fair, and he appears capable of running to a higher level, with this race presenting itself as an opportunity to prove himself up in class.
Fire Flyer narrowly beat Secret Squirrel when the pair met at Taunton, and they meet again on level terms. The former was pulled up in his subsequent outing however, perhaps unsuited by conditions, but has something to prove on the basis of his recent run.
There have been two winning four-year-olds in the past three renewals, which bodes well for juveniles such as An Bradan Feasa who has shown useful form in tough races this season. He is a big price at 20/1 considering he is on a fair mark, ran well for a long way in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap at Cheltenham, and is in receipt of 8lbs from his older rivals.
Selection: Secret Squirrel 8/1
2:25pm – Oaksey Chase (Grade 2)
The Real Whacker can be forgiven for his first outing of the season, having been found to be lame following the race and faced a tough task carrying top weight on his reappearance regardless. However, he lacked the quality to compete in the King George VI Chase, as well as in the Gold Cup, and, although this is an easier task, he is difficult to trust at short odds having not yet been able to replicate the form of his novice campaign this term.
Hitman is equipped with first-time blinkers and his second to Shishkin in the Denman Chase reads well, with the third, fourth and fifth all winning since, most notably Protektorat who subsequently landed the Ryanair Chase. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was disappointing at Cheltenham however, and is another with questions to answer which makes him also difficult to select with confidence at the prices.
Willie Mullins saddles Easy Game who sports first-time cheekpieces in the hands of Paul Towenend, but he is another contender with plenty to prove having been pulled up in the Melling Chase, without ever looking comfortable. Whilst he is proven at this level, with a victory over Gentlemansgame and Envoi Allen at Gowran Park, perhaps benefitting from the fitness edge on his rivals on that occasion, he must bounce back from his Aintree disappointment.
Ga Law is the least exposed of the main protagonist at the head of the market, and can be forgiven for a disappointing effort at Cheltenham in which he failed to get into any jumping rhythm and repeatedly made mistakes at the fences. He was impressive in handicap company in January, and a repeat performance could see him return to the winners’ enclosure, despite being upped in grade.
Trained by Jamie Snowden, the eight-year-old has the ability to be effective at this level, but perhaps lacks the quality in Grade One contests. The intermediate trip will suit, and if he is able to gain a more prominent position and get into a rhythm early on, he could pose a dangerous threat.
Selection: Ga Law 13/2
3:00pm – Celebration Chase (Grade 1)
Defending champion Jonbon faces tougher opposition this time around as he attempts to retain his crown and land a sixth Grade One success. The rematch with El Fabiolo is on. The score is currently 1-1, with El Fabiolo the most recent victor when defeating his rival in the Arkle Novices’ Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Jonbon was forced to skip Cheltenham this year, and El Fabiolo made a shuddering error in the Champion Chase, ending his hopes in the race. The former was recently seen winning the Melling Chase at Aintree, whilst the latter returns to track for the first time since being pulled up at the Festival.
It’s an intriguing match up, given the circumstances surrounding both of their seasons so far. Jonbon has the benefit of course form, as he is unbeaten at the track with three wins, yet it’s expected if El Fabiolo is at his best, it could be tough for the Sandown specialist to reverse the form, although it’s to be believed he may not have been at his very best when they met previously.
El Fabiolo, given he is fully recovered after Cheltenham, with no knock to his confidence, is the most likely winner, but he had always threatened to make a mistake over a fence and cannot afford to do so again. Jonbon will have to find another gear to beat a peak El Fabiolo, but whether or not he will be at his peak at Sandown remains to be seen.
Edwardstone, another course-and-distance winner, was a faller in the Champion Chase when last seen, unable to take advantage of the favourite’s misfortune. He is usually a relatively sound jumper however, and could be competitive if able to get into a rhythm from the front. A classy performer on his day, he lacks the ability to compete with the top two, but is the best of the rest on ratings.
Sporting first-time cheekpieces, Editeur Du Gite beat Nube Negra and Elixir De Nutz in a Kempton Grade Two earlier in the season, but disappointing in the Clarence House won by the Joe Tizzard-trained gelding. Elixir De Nutz made the most of the opportunity on his penultimate start at Cheltenham, fighting back and showing great tenacity to beat a lacklustre Jonbon. However, he was pulled up at the Festival, and more is needed.
The sounder surface will be in Boothill’s favour, and the Harry Fry team are performing at a 27 percent strike-rate, however if main two contenders are on song, he may be challenging only for third.
Selection: El Fabiolo 8/11
3:35pm – Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
Last year’s winner Kitty’s Light made a bold bid for Aintree glory when fifthin the Grand National when last seen. On a mark of 145, he is 5lbs higher this time around but he still appears well handicapper with a sounder surface in his favour.
Irish raider Amirite finished fifth in the Leopardstown Paddy Power Chase when last seen, on softer ground than ideal, and is 4lbs higher here. The better ground is certain to suit, and he has threatened to land a big pot, having been sent off as 11/2 favourite for last year’s Irish Grand National.
Willie Mullins is represented by three, with Nick Rockett the shortest-priced of the trio as the mount of Paul Townend. Seventh in the Irish Grand National when last seen, he is lightly raced over fences and could be capable of further improvement over the marathon trips.
Minella Cocooner was a gallant third at Fairyhouse, carrying top weight. Although he is 3lbs higher here, he stays well and the return on better ground could be a positive. Aime Desjy finished fifth in the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree recently. The nine-year-old gelding is another that’s lightly raced over the larger obstacles, and he is completely unexposed over the trip.
Kinondo Kwetu could be capable of a bold showing on a mark of 144. The Sam England-trained gelding has shown his worth as a stayer with plenty of impressive performances over the past year, including when third in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter, when giving 18lbs to the winner, now 146-rated Twig, and previously placing third behind Midnight River at Aintree.
Sixth in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Weveallbeencaught has slipped to a workable mark of 132 and holds each-way claims, whilst Enrilo, formerly first past the post in the race before being demoted to third, is on a 9lb lower mark in this year’s renewal with Angus Cheleda claiming 5lbs.
Rapper is 1lb higher than when a length second to Threeunderthrufive at Ascot in February, and will enjoy the better conditions expected. Fortescue has 3lb claimer Hugh Nugent aboard on his second run after a wind operation, and Flash Collonges, partnered by Bryony Frost, will wear first-time blinkers in an attempt to return to some form.
Selection(s): Rapper 22/1 & Fortescue 40/1 (both each-way)
4:10pm – Select Hurdle (Grade 2)
Impaire Et Passe survived a stewards’ enquiry to narrowly prevail over third-placed Langer Dan, Bob Olinger in second, in the Aintree Hurdle earlier this month. There is little to split the pair on that form, and with only 1lb between them on ratings, with Langer Dan in receipt of 2lbs here, on current prices Langer Dan at 3/1 makes more appeal than even money for the Irish-raider. However, with both at their best it’s likely Impaire Et Passe is capable of the highest level of form.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding won the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle on only his third start for the yard, beating the now 167-rated chaser Gaelic Warrior, and landed another Grade One on his subsequent appearance at Punchestown. He was beaten by Teahupoo and State Man, respectively, in his first two starts in open company, before front-running tactics proved detrimental when third in the Irish Champion Hurdle.
It’s difficult to know what his optimum trip is, but his best run, arguably, has come over the intermediate trip, most notably over the 2m5f at Cheltenham during his novice season. It’s feasible that he is still at the peak of his powers for the season too, which makes him hard to oppose, and the best may be yet to come.
The aforementioned Langer Dan showed a great improvement in form to win another Coral Cup at Cheltenham, beating Ballyadam when in receipt of 6lbs. Whilst he had the reputation of being merely a handicapper whose main target was a big prize at the Cheltenham Festival, he proved he is up to Grade One level at Aintree, and his powers and level of ability may have previously been underestimated.
Ballyadam is better off at the weights this time around and deserves to take his chance in the race, whilst in the same Cheveley Park colours is Sir Gerhard, a winner when last seen, who has become difficult to place in recent seasons.
Sir Gerhard shaped with great promise as a novice hurdler, winning at Cheltenham, before embarking on a novice chasing campaign that didn’t go to plan. He had never looked like a natural chaser, and he made a welcome return to hurdling this season. However, he doesn’t quite stay 3m well enough at the top level, whilst 2m may be on the sharp side. This intermediate trip suits perfectly, and he could well be underestimated in this field, as he possesses masses of ability when race conditions are right.
Blueking d’Oroux has plenty to find on ratings but has Grade Two winning form, which has been franked, and is still relatively unexposed as a five-year-old. Brewin’upastorm was impressive at Fairyhouse earlier this month, but he is faced with a tougher task here and will need to build on that winning performance, whilst Botox Has would prefer more testing conditions and a stiffer test of stamina.
Course-and-distance winner Call Me Lord won at Hereford earlier in the season but has been below par twice since and seems out of his depth, now as an eleven-year-old, in this field.
Selection: Sir Gerhard 9/1 (each-way)
5:20pm – Class 2 Handicap Hurdle
A mark of 137 may prove lenient for a horse possessing the quality of Lookaway. His second to Iberico Lord, when four-and-a-half-lengths ahead of third-placed Luccia, has been franked, as has his second in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle, where he beat now 148-rated The Jukebox Man, second in two Grade One contests since.
A Grade Two bumper winner, beating horses such as Blow Your Wad, Rath Gaul Boy and Chianti Classico, plus a Grade Two winner as a novice, he has the quality to be competitive in this field and appears well-handicapped at the best of his ability.
Selection: Lookaway 8/1 (each-way)
NAVAN
2:17pm – Committed Stakes (Listed)
Jessica Harrington has a great record in this race since its inaugural running in 2016, saddling three winners including last year’s champion Ocean Quest. Course-and-distance winner Givemethebeatboys has form at the track having won on debut here last year and, although he must defy a 3lb penalty for his Grade Three triumph at the Curragh, he is the one to beat on form shown and on ratings.
Withdrawn when due to run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on veterinary advice, he hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth in the Group One Middle Park Stakes, beaten by three classy types, but, although he may strip fitter for his return, he has run well fresh in the past which suggests he should be ready for this assignment.
Selection: Givemethebeatboys (each-way)
2:52pm – Salsabil Stakes (Group 3)
Purple Lily has made an impressive start to her racing career with two victories in as many starts, and looks an exciting prospect ahead of potential Classic targets this term. She can continue her progression, with the yielding ground in her favour, for Paddy Twomey who is performing at a 50 percent strike-rate this year.
An intriguing opponent is Aidan O’Brien-trained Wingspan, a Dubawi filly who made a winning start at Leopardstown recently. Out of Group One winning mare Hydrangea and by a top stallion, she is well related but Ryan Moore opts to ride the more experienced Ballydoyle contender in Everlasting.
Fourth in a Curragh Group Three when last seen over a mile, outpaced in the closing stages when perhaps finding the trip too short, the daughter of Kingman should improve for the step up in trip, with the 1m2f likely to suit. She is a half-sister to a Group Three winner over 1m4f in Adelaide River, out of useful mare Could It Be Love, and could prove most effective in middle-distance contests.
Home-bred Bellezza beat subsequent Group Three winner Brilliant on debut at Leopardstown last summer, staying on best of all in the closing stages, shaping with plenty of promise. The step up in trip should suit, being by Siyouni out of a Listed-placed mare over 1m2f, and she could be a surprise package in the field, completely unexposed.
Selection: Purple Lily (win) / Bellezza (each-way)
One(s) to watch:
HAYDOCK
2:45pm – ZIP 12/1 (each-way)
Back on his last winning mark with 3lb claimer Tyler Heard aboard, Zip is always one to consider on ground with soft or heavy in the description. A winner over course-and-distance, he performed respectably at Doncaster when last seen and can make the frame once again with conditions to suit.
DONCASTER
6:40pm – SNAZZY JAZZY (each-way)
Now 12lbs below his last winning mark, Snazzy Jazzy put a couple of good efforts in competitive handicaps last term and should strip fitter for his recent outing at Thirsk. He could make the frame at a big price.
* All runners and prices are correct at the time of publication.
Photo by Horace Goodenough on Unsplash
THE CONDITIONAL 