A superb weekend of racing last week was tinged with sadness following the passing of the wonderful Master Tommytucker after he suffered a fatal injury during the Fleur De Lys Chase.
Warriors Tale was also lost at Thurles, in what is really the worst part of the sport we all love.
We begin this post by paying tribute to those two talents, as well as all other equine heroes who have lost their lives giving their all.
They are sorely missed.
To recap the action on track we witnessed a fantastic day of racing at Ascot on Saturday, including the Clarence House Chase, in which our selection Shishkin came out on top in a thriller against Irish-raider Energumene.
We’re already anticipating the rematch we hope to see in the Champion Chase in March.
Jonbon kept the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle dream alive by winning at Haydock, but wasn’t quite as convincing as many expected.
Tommy’s Oscar was a popular winner of The Champion Hurdle Trial Race, ‘The New One’ Hurdle, for couple Ann and Ian Hamilton, trainer and owner of the horse.
He could well have set himself for a dream Champion Hurdle clash against the formidable Honeysuckle in what would appear to be a David versus Goliath match-up.
Royale Pagaille showed plenty of courage in winning the Peter Marsh Chase as top-weight, cutting his Gold Cup antepost price from 33/1 to 20/1, and perhaps attracting more supporters ahead of the prestigious race.
We were pleased to see our each-way selection Shoot To Kill win at 14/1 in a Class 3 Handicap at Lingfield.
He is certainly one to follow as he keeps improving.
Sunday produced plenty of good winners, including War Lord and Brewin’upastorm, as well as the gallant Two For Gold at Lingfield.
We were treated to a terrific finish in the Fleur De Lys Chase as Two For Gold and Dashel Drasher went head-to-head towards the post, with the former just getting his head in front, as they both finished ahead of our favourite grey, Bristol De Mai.
Allaho returned to action at Thurles, winning impressively once again ahead of his expected Ryanair Chase defence.
Now we turn our attention to the future and start getting excited for the Festival, as trials day is upon us at Cheltenham.
There is plenty of talent on show, in a racecard featuring many young, progressive types as well as old, familiar friends.
(All prices are correct at time of writing)
Starting at 12:15 in the Class 2 Handicap, an open field goes to post headed by course & distance winner Lively Citizen, in the hands of 7lb claimer Archie Bellamy.
Masters Legacy is the top-weight in the race at 12/1 but has been one of our horses to follow, after he won a Class 2 Handicap at Chepstow in October having been 66/1 in-running.
He finished quickly there, on good ground, and is likely to get a sound surface here, so a case could be made for him with the addition of a tongue-tie.
Geromino has been performing well enough over hurdles, finishing a close second to Tommy’s Oscar in December, and could take well to fences on chase debut.
In the 12:45 Grade 2 Juvenile Hurdle, Irish-raider Pier Piper is the short-priced favourite for Gordon Elliott, ridden by Davy Russell.
Iceo represents the best of the British for Paul Nicholls, and won well on stable debut at Kempton last month.
The Class 2 Novices’ Handicap Chase comes at 1:20, and Colin Tizzard’s Oscar Elite is the favourite in what appears to be an open-field.
We expect Solo (7/1) to run well at a decent price, back down in class and up in trip.
Our first detailed preview comes in the 1:55 Class 1 Handicap Chase, where Magic Saint currently heads the market under 5lb claimer Tom Buckley for Nicholls.
The eight-year-old finished fourth on New Year’s Day here on his last outing in a Grade 3 Handicap, running off a higher mark, at odds of 50/1.
Farinet finished first at Sandown earlier this month in a Class 3 Handicap.
He is yet to be seen on good ground, but was pulled up in his only appearance on ground better than soft.
If the ground is good on Saturday, there is a question mark on whether or not it will suit Venetia Williams’ runner.
Galahad Quest beat Farinet at Haydock last February and finished third behind the progressive Good Boy Bobby on season debut in October.
He finished a respectable fifth in the competitive Paddy Power Gold Cup before falling and finishing sixth on subsequent appearances.
It’s difficult to see him reversing form with Magic Saint, a horse he finished behind last time out receiving 10lbs.
Coole Cody performed well in the Racing Post Gold Cup here in December, and seems to relish a trip to Cheltenham for Evan Williams.
He finished eighth here on New Year’s Day, in a race which featured Magic Saint and Galahad Quest, as mentioned.
On his day, he is difficult to beat, but it’ll be a tough task for him running off his current mark giving weight all around.
Whatmore drops back in trip for Henry Daly but hasn’t been seen since November 2020, when finishing second to Yorkhill in a Listed race.
He is a horse with plenty of Class 1 experience, racing in impressive company, but there will be obvious concerns on his current fitness given he has spent so much time off track.
Spiritofthegames often varies his choice of obstacles, running over fences and hurdles.
He did finish third in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at the Aintree Festival last year, behind Happygolucky and the late Johnbb, however he has been less than impressive this season and will be looking to bounce back.
Torn And Frayed is another with plenty to do here, although he has been running in small fields behind some well thought of horses.
He could be better than he has shown to date, and in an open field he could well have each-way claims at a decent price.
She’sasupermack won at Ayr on last outing, but this is a much tougher task, whilst Jacamar and Eden Du Houx have both been in decent form at a lower level but are stepping up in class.
Gaelik Coast completes the line up and is another with plenty to prove.
Our selection: Galahad Quest 11/2
Whatmore 9/1 (EW) is a risky selection, but if able to return to previous form prior to his absence from the track he could well go close, and may be worth an each-way punt especially if his price drifts before the off.
The 2:30 Cotswold Chase promises to be an interesting renewal.
Current odds-on favourite is last year’s Novices’ Chase winner Chantry House, who was disappointing when pulled-up on his last outing in the King George Chase and will wear cheekpieces for the first time here.
Prior to that he recorded a four-timer between February and November, winning two Grade One’s as well as a Listed race.
Simply The Betts is unproven over the distance, as he’s been pulled up on his only appearance further than 20.5f.
He finished a respectable second here in a competitive race on New Year’s Day, giving plenty of weight away to the impressive winner, Vienna Court.
Receiving weight from the favourite here is likely to help, and given he can be prominent over the extended trip, he could well mount a challenge.
Aye Right beat Good Boy Bobby to win a Listed Handicap at Newcastle on his last appearance in November, and will look to emulate that performance here.
He has been running over a range of distances, but has solid form over this trip and is not one to rule out.
Once an unlucky Gold Cup runner-up, Santini returns here following a disappointing run for new trainer Polly Grundy at the track last month.
Plenty would love to see the ten-year-old return to form, but this a competitive race and he’ll have to roll back the years in order to do so.
Kauto Riko is the big-priced outsider who appears to be out of his depth in this company.
Our selection: Aye Right 11/2 – he looked to be in fine form on last outing, and could pick up where he left off here.
Champ heads the market for the Cleeve Hurdle at 3:05, ahead of his expected attempt at the Stayers’ Hurdle in March, in which he is now the front-runner in antepost betting following Klassical Dream’s defeat in the Galmoy Hurdle on Thursday at Gowran Park.
Nicky Henderson’s ten-year-old made an impressive return to hurdles at Ascot in December, beating Aintree Stayers’ Hurdle winner Thyme Hill, as well as former Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle winner Paisley Park who opposes him once again here.
He will be the one to beat in the hands of Jonjo O’Neill Jr, who takes the ride once again.
McFabulous finished second in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, giving weight to winning mare Stormy Ireland,
He has looked impressive on previous starts over hurdles, but will have to prove he is as good as he is expected to be in a small but competitive field here.
Paisley Park hasn’t fired in his last five runs, albeit often running on to finish in the places.
However, he possesses plenty of class when at his best, and is expected to return to form sooner rather than later for Emma Lavelle.
This could perhaps be too tough for the former champion, as the favourite has plenty to like with McFabulous hot on his heels too.
Lisnagar Oscar is a big-priced runner, but is also a former champion at The Festival, winning ahead of Ronald Pump at odds of 50/1 in 2020.
If able to produce anything near his form on that occasion he could feature here, but that seems unlikely with the nine-year-old seemingly out of form in recent runs.
Dandy Mag represents the outsider of the field for Fergal O’Brien, having recently moved from Willie Mullins’ yard, and will have it all to do here.
Our selection: We believe Champ 1/2 will reign supreme at the Festival in March, and back him to take a significant step towards that by being victorious here.
Cheltenham placepot selections: 1 – 1 – 2 – 9 – 1 – 1
Turning our attention to Doncaster, we look at the 1:35 Grade 2 Novices’ Chase, where three go to post headed by highly-rated Third Time Lucki.
Dan Skelton’s seven-year-old could only manage third behind winner Edwardstone when seen in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month.
Do You Job also finished behind the aforementioned Edwardstone on his last appearance in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase, but Michael Scudamore’s eight-year-old finished closer to his rival than Skelton’s gelding did.
Alex Hales’ eccentric horse For Pleasure completes the line up of three as the outsider, but is one more than capable of causing an upset on his day.
In the 2:10 Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle, Miranda heads the market for Paul Nicholls and jockey Bryony Frost, as Western Victory is expected to oppose her having run a strange race last week at Ascot.
Miss Heritage runs for Lucy Wadham stepping up in class, whilst John C McConnell is represented by useful mare Anna Bunina in search of her first win since August 2020.
Dazzling Glory runs for Skelton, ridden by brother Harry, but looks to be out of her depth on ratings and in recent form.
The River Don Novices’ Hurdle comes at 2:45, where Chris Gordon’s Unanswered Prayers runs in what appears to be an open field.
My Bobby Dazzler finished a respectable fourth in a Class 2 Handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, and is proven over the distance.
Mahler Mission, Bridge North, Coolbane Boy and The Real Whacker all come into the race off the back of wins, whilst Not At Present is attempting a four-timer in his first Graded race.
An interesting Listed contest comes at 3:20, in a Handicap Chase, in which Fusil Raffles is favourite with bookmakers ahead of Cap Du Nord.
Nicky Henderson’s runner will be ridden by James Bowen, who has been in good form recently, as has the trainer.
The seven-year-old finished fourth in the Racing Post Gold Cup when last seen, following a win in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.
Cap Du Nord carries a low weight here, and jockey Jack Tudor takes an extra 3lbs off.
He didn’t impress on his last run but has shown previously his capabilities of being competitive in Listed company, and he may attract plenty of backers off this current rating.
Kapcorse was a good winner of the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase at Newbury in November, beating plenty of useful types.
Debece has plenty to prove, having been pulled up on two of his last three infrequent runs, whilst Canelo is a runner who finished ahead of Cap Du Nord on last appearance, giving 16lbs to his rival.
Demachine and Storm Control both run for trainer Kerry Lee, with claimers onboard.
There is plenty to like about Demachine and he’ll be ridden by 3lb claimer Kevin Brogan, whilst Daire McConville takes 10lbs off Storm Control’s weight, and will be looking for back-to-back wins aboard the nine-year-old.
Midnight Shadow has been excellent this season, but he runs off 155 here, and carries plenty of weight which may perhaps be too much in comparison with some talented rivals he faces here.
Nuts Well is surprisingly a 20/1 outsider, but also has 11st 12lbs to carry.
Ladbrokes Trophy winner Cloudy Glen also features here, whilst 40/1 shot Rocco beat a couple of his rivals here in November and is a tempting each-way option with Jordan Nailor claiming 3lbs.
Our selection: Storm Control 10/1 – won well in a Class 3 Handicap on last outing, but pulled-up on two prior appearances.
We’re willing to take a punt at him here and with his task made easier by the jockey booking, he could feature at the finish.
KM
THE CONDITIONAL 