In this short review of the weekend, I will try to address a few horses to follow, whether they be for the Cheltenham Festival or a handicap chase around Fontwell!
Friday showed us a couple of horses to definitely keep on side in the coming weeks and months. My Tent or Yours was very impressive at Huntingdon and will now go to the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Glorious Twelfth also looks a name from the Henderson yard we will plenty more about as well after a smooth victory under AP McCoy.
Turning to Saturday, Warwick
hosted their biggest day of the year featuring the Betfred sponsored Classic
Chase, won by Rigadin De Beauchene under Robbie Dunne. He wore down Godsmejudge
close home to continue the fine form of trainer Venetia Williams, and may be a
future Grand National horse.
There was a very impressive
display from The New One in the Graded novice hurdle under Sam Twiston-Davies.
He is a very good horse and will now be aimed at the Neptune Investments Novice
Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with a stop off to that venue on January 26th for his final prep race. Pure Science gave the Twiston-Davies team a
double by scooting clear in the bumper in really nice style in the colours of Raymond Mould. Rocky Creek, who
had won his previous start at Doncaster, scored again over fences in good
style, and he will go for either the RSA or National Hunt Chase at the Festival
in March all being well.
I can't review Warwick without mentioning Ely Brown, who I selected the day previous each way, going onto victory at 12/1. Hope some of you saw it and got on!
Kempton
hosted the Lanzarote Hurdle, named after the great Champion hurdler of 1974.
Oscara Dara was the victor under Barry Geraghty, despite a hair-raising moment
at the final flight. A switch back to hurdling worked the oracle for this horse
after a moderate chase debut on his previous start. The one to watch out of that race was Captain Sunshine, given a very patient ride, and staying on strongly when finding that last hurdle at Kempton to fall at again.
L’Unique was impressive in
the Juvenile hurdle, receiving quotes of around 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle at
Cheltenham in March. Another nice winner was Cloudy Copper, who looks a novice hurdler
with a big future. It was also nice to see jockey Ian Popham back with a
Saturday winner after a broken pelvis earlier on this season, piloting Bally Legend to success.
Wetherby hosted a good card too, and again there were some really nice displays. Up And Go won the first race really well, and remains a horse to follow, together with the second Many Clouds, just look at his Aintree second in October, fantastic form.
One back in the field caught the eye too, Shotavodka. He was returning after a year off, and jumped super up with the pace and looked a big threat turning in before weakening quickly. Definitely one to follow.
Fourjacks made a winning transition to chasing, reeling in Poole Master after the last under an ice cool Brian Harding. Both horses will be winning very soon, but Fourjacks in particular on testing ground.
Kelso raced on Sunday despite the snow, and Duke Of Navan won really nicely in a novice hurdle, confirming the promise of his Cheltenham second ahead of the equally promising Big Water. Once again, both horses are really nice types and will be winning their fair share of races. Bernardelli finished in midfield behind his stablemate there, and now gains a handicap mark. He is a horse with ability that's for sure and should be able to win a few low grade handicap hurdles in the remainder of the season.
Speaking of Navan, they raced in Ireland as well, where Cause Of Causes won a conditions hurdle en route to the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, where he will have a huge chance.
Any feedback? Feel free to fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12
Be lucky,
Will
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