The Foxhunters - But not as we know it

It Came To Pass causing a 66/1 shock last year, beating Billaway (yellow).

 

 

More brilliant racing on Day 3 where we had a couple of good each way collects with Tornado Flyer, Come On Teddy and Magic Blue, who all ran well without winning. For this post, I focus on what would usually be the "Amateur's Gold Cup", now known as the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase. For those who don't know, I commentate on Point to Points so hopefully can offer a bit of extra assistance!

I am going to do a runner by runner guide with a summary at the end, together with a selection at Fakenham.

As for the Gold Cup, I don't really have a view to be honest. If you forced me to have my last fiver, I'd chance Santini each way but it would be tentative, especially as it is Santini we are talking about, who isn't the most aesthetically pleasing to watch.

Here we go:

1) Billaway - Billaway is the favourite for the race once again after finishing a well beaten second in the race twelve months ago under Patrick Mullins. He has ran three times this season, winning his last two, including a win over Staker Wallace last time at Naas, and a second place finish behind Stand Up And Fight on his reappearance. He has a leading chance once again but at the prices, I'll pass.

2) Bob And Co - Bob And Co reappeared at Haydock last month in devastating style, hosing up under Sean Bowen. His form in France is very good but last season, he was a bit disappointing for me and needs a career best here. He is trained however by Paul Nicholls, so if anyone can find improvement, he's your man. He's short enough for me in the market.

3) Chameron - I called Chameron to win one of the best point to point races in the calendar last season, the Coronation Gold Cup at Larkhill. Ridden by Angus Cheleda, he travelled and jumped well before streaking clear of a strong field in the home straight. He's a gorgeous looking individual and was the best horse I called last season. He reappeared at Leicester on bottomless ground, something he didn't like, and had a good dual with Cousin Pascal, a subsequent Catterick winner, up the home straight before cosily holding him and pulling miles clear of the third. The ground has come right for him and I think he'll run a huge race. Harry Cobden, who also co-owns the horse rides.

4) Hazel Hill - Winner of the race in 2019 under Alex Edwards, who recently turned pro so he could ride him again. This stunning individual is into his teenage years now but retains plenty of zest, as shown in his Ludlow win in January. Freshened up since, he could run into the frame again, but younger legs may find him out.

5) It Came To Pass - Last year's winner who caused a big shock at 66/1. This season's form could be stronger but he clearly comes alive here and would be a lovely story, ridden by Richie McLernon who started his racing life with the yard before moving to the UK.

6) Latenightpass - Latenightpass caused a bit of a shock at Warwick last time out. He likes to sit very handy and with a strong pace will get taken on, but was a course and distance winner on hunter chase night here in May 2019. Usually ridden by Gina Andrews for her husband Tom Ellis, sister Bridget is once again in the saddle and it will be a great family story should he win. He needs a career best, but that's not totally out of the question.

7) Law Of Gold - A horse I have called to win on a few occasions pointing, he has a high cruising speed which was blunted in the ground here twelve months ago when finishing seventh. He returned at Doncaster behind Silsol where his jumping could have been better, and he is one who could outrun his odds. Each way extra places could be the way to go.

8) Mighty Stowaway - Despite being trained by leading connections, his form doesn't stack up against these and I'm more than happy to oppose.

9) Monbeg Gold - Surprisingly ran well at Doncaster last time, just outbattled by Silsol and finishing ahead of Law Of Gold. He might get done for pace here and doesn't have the greatest completion record either.

10) Mr Mantilla - I have to confess I don't know much about him but he has been good in his Irish PTP's. He has moved over to David Jeffreys and really is the unknown quantity for shrewd connections. He is only seven and is worth watching for any market moves

11) Porlock Bay - Trained by the winning most PTP jockey of all-time in the UK Will Biddick, Porlock Bay ran a cracking race on his first run for new connections since moving over from France at Wincanton. The form of the race hasn't worked out but he is a strong traveller and a hold-up horse which may come in handy if the likely strong pace materialises. He has a sound each way chance.

12) Ravished - Has little chance and surely making up the numbers here

13) Red Indian - Red Indian has been a star for current trainer Kelly Morgan and has qualified for a dabble here with a couple of runaway wins in ladies open races at Bishops Court and Alnwick before Christmas. You don't have to look a million miles back to his fourth in the Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton and when he was sent off 16/1 to beat A Plus Tard at the 2019 Festival. He has plenty of big field experience too with a sixth place Coral Cup finish and having won two races in fifteen runner fields. On this better ground, I think he has a big chance and given the yard masterminded Top Wood to two placed efforts in this race and a win at Aintree, he will certainly be ready.

14) Salvatore - A horse I've called to win on a few occasions and is still highly progressive if his win at Musselburgh last time out is anything to go by, then he is not stopping yet. The massive positive for him is the ground but he definitely needs a career best, but as mentioned with Porlock Bay, that is not out of the question by any means.

15) Sonneofpresenting - Nice to see a real enthusiast in Sarah 'Ripper' Rippon having a runner here, but it would be a miracle to see him win in all truth.

16) Staker Wallace - The first choice of the JP and Bolger runners, and will be trying to better his fourth place finish in the race last year. Jamie Codd gave the horse a patient ride last year and seemingly didn't get up the hill but has returned this year better than ever and must run a race under Mark Walsh

17) Stand Up And Fight - Stablemate to Staker Wallace and sixth in the race two years ago. He beat Billaway in November at Fairyhouse but a month on was well beaten by that rival. He was narrowly beaten three weeks ago at Thurles, but I think he finds himself slightly in the second tier of the Irish contingent.

18) Wishing And Hoping - Completes a triumvirate of runners from the Rowley stable but has the least chance of the three in my opinion. He is a front runner which could also be a negative if the likely competition for the lead does materialise. However I'm sure Bryony Frost will have a great spin around from this safe jumping sort.

 

All in all it promises to be a cracking renewal, with Chameron and Red Indian being my two against the field. 

Over at Fakenham, I think the hunter chase at 4.40pm looks made for Ennistown, who has a small field, better ground, the champion jockey and much calmer waters in his favour. I thought he'd be favourite for this and I think he'll win.

Have a great Gold Cup day!

Be lucky!