What a terrific days racing in store.
Down Royal
Firstly – Gordon Elliott might go through the card here.
1.50 Gordon & JP with multiple runners here. Ten Ten won his maiden at this meeting around here in 2017 before missing plenty of time. He was a decent novice chaser last term, winning a beginners and getting up to an official rating of 137. Back over hurdles he races off 124. Might not be off a yard but happy to chance at a big price.
Others who appeal at each-way prices include Drop the Anchor who won a good handicap hurdle at Listowel last time. And Golden Jewel hasn’t won in a good while but a repeat of the Leopardstown February effort would see him go very close.
2.25 Presenting Percy will want more of a stamina test. Slight suspicion the Grand National is the plan which will see a quiet early season. Delta Work was poor here last year and not much better the year before on his seasonal reappearance. The Storyteller beat a whole load of nothing last time. He has never quite looked up to proper G1 class. And some of Gordon’s are needing the run. So Chriss Dream is nearly the default but I’m not sure he’s quite up to consistent G1 level either and may prefer more cut underfoot. He was good first itme last season and Henry had the big winner today. Maybe but no idea.
3.00 The racefit Easy Game getting 2lbs off Samcro & Battleoverdoyen. Firstly, I don’t rate the latter at all. This is a match for me.
If you ignore the Limerick run where Samcro apparently choked that led to his wind-op, his chase form reads 1F1, with the F being a likely G1 Drinmore victory, it’s top class. Right up there with his novice hurdle campaign.
I’m not sure why but I don’t trust the form of Easy Game’s recent victory. And if you strip it out his overall form is a class below (155 ish) that of Samcro (160 ish).
I trust Gordon to have Samcro ready as he’s fairly fragile, especially his wind, so sending him in have cooked wouldn’t be ideal. Back the best horse in the race.
3.35 Cuneo is well handicapped on his hurdles best and the step back up to 3miles will definitely suit. 2m4f last time would be too sharp for him. No harm having a run to knock the cobwebs off, he can take a decent step forward from it. A decent price, a good 5lb claimer up and his second start for Gordon there’s plenty of positives.
Ascot
3.05 I was a big Hang In There fan last season. It didn’t really work out for him but I can see him being far better than his 139 mark this term. After having a run he should be ready to go. Stable form is a worry. Without going through the race in detail having small win only play.
3.40 Why are the persevering with Might Bite. Turning 12. Maybe he’s showing something – a mark of 152. Maybe. Black Corton isn’t handicapped to win, he’s not as good as the likes of Frodon. Adrien du Pont doesn’t always get home over 3miles. Although he has won off this mark and the yard are going well so wouldn’t be shocked if he shows well. Regal Encore wants it softer, Blaklion is easily ignored and Walk in the Mill is getting ready for the Becher. Whatmore was beat off this mark in two spring handicaps, he wouldn’t appeal at all at 5/1.
Militarian won first time out last season, at Ascot, off a mark just 1lb lower. Easy case to make. Easier at 33/1 though, he’s been well picked by now, 16/1.
Valtor is some yoke. He debuted in a 3yo bumper and is still going turning 12 in 2mts time. 112 is his Ascot form. The first being an impressive course & distance handicap chase win off 148 that saw his mark go to 160. Back to 150 now despite running well without winning in the spring he has a live chance. Some decent efforts off a break and Nicky has had enough winners lately to have no doubts they can be ready. No surprise if this is his main target actually.
Wetherby
2.45 I tweeted a few times about this race during the week. Disappointed Slate House hasn’t shown up and I’ll be more disappointed if Wholestone goes and wins. He’s too short for me now. I’ve maintained it’s a race that may not take too much winning with so many question-marks around the market leaders so I’m happy to take a small chance at abig price about the race fit, in-form, improving Chapmans Hype
3.20 Charlie Hall is the hardest race of the weekend to solve. The favourite, I mean Vinndication, is way too short now. He was only 4th in the Ultima last time. Sorry but he’s well and truly in the overhyped pile for me. Sam Spinner was a silly price all week but is gradually driftin tot he correct one. This is quite the step up for him.
La Bague Au Roi was dreadful all of last season but there’s a reason she was sent off favourite here 12mts ago. Maybe the recent wind-op was all she needed. I’m not a big believer in trainer quotes but if you were: Greatrex said: “La Bague Au Roi has had a run this year, which helps, and we’ve subsequently tinkered with her wind. “Whatever that did, it seems to have ignited a flame somewhere – because she seems to be back to her best.
Definitly Red won a bad renewal of this in 2018 but has been a solid G2 160 chase since. That might nearly be enough to see him involved.
Maybe just back the best horse in the race. Cyrname jumped straight as a gun barrel at Ascot last year. A superb performance first time out. If you believe Nicholls he’s not as fit this time around but has done as much work as Frodon had. On decent ground he’s the fastest chaser in here and that could be decisive. Remember he was rated 176 before he beat Altior. 11/4 and many of these not in his league. I’m tempted.
In summary:
Small plays: Hang in There, Chapmans Hype, Cyrname, Ten Ten, Chriss Dream, Cuneo
Main bets: Valtor e/w, Samcro
Cee Bee Scribbles 