Sunday, 6 December 2020

Dec 5th - Preview for Sandown, Aintree & Chepstow

 The ground at Sandown this afternoon, was a little softer than I expected (unlike at Exeter, where it wasn’t as soft as I expected - annoyingly !). 


There is no rain forecast prior to racing tomorrow - so I suspect it will be similar.

There’s a bit more guesswork involved at Aintree - but my guess is ‘soft’: whilst Chepstow will be heavy (it’s nearly always heavy at Chepstow !).

As it’s a Saturday, I’ll look to issue tomorrows bets, just after 9:00.
If I do need to delay any further, for whatever reason (weak markets, NRs etc), I’ll advise at that point…


Sandown

1:50


Novice chases don’t come much better than this.
The 6 runners have raced 9 times over fences between them - and are yet to taste defeat.
Impressive !
The field can be split in 2: there are 3 four years olds; and 3 older horses.
The older horses all have to give their juniors 6lb - which will be a challenge.
Interestingly, all of the 4 year olds like to get on with things - so there could be a pace burn up.
Despite that, I suspect that Allmankind will lead (Harry Skelton will insist on it !) - and he should go well.
Ga Law is likely to sit in behind; followed by Hitman.
I would expect the 3 older horses will all be given waiting rides.
Ultimately, the race will come down to jumping.
Allmankind is likely to have the run of the race - and provided Harry Skelton doesn’t go too fast (and he’s a jockey I really rate, in these kind of conditions), he is the one to beat.
That said, Hitman could easily take a a lead from him - and pounce, between the final 2 fences.
Conversely, if they do go too fast, Eldorado Allen could pick off all the younger horses, up the Sandown hill.
Phoenix Way will only win if the race falls apart: whilst I suspect Tamroc Du Mathan, will be withdrawn on account of the soft ground !

2:25

I think - and hope - that the TIngle Creek will see the completion of the redemption of Altior.
He was unbeaten over obstacles, prior to last season, when he clashed with Cyrname at Ascot, over 2m4f - and came off second best.
There was no shame in that - but there is a slight concern that the battle may have permanently scarred him.
He won his only other race last season, when defeating Sceau Royal back over 2 miles at Newbury - but a slight doubt still remains.
I don’t think soft ground is ideal for him: and I’m not totally sure about right handed Sandown (though he has won there previously).
However, he was a top, top class animal - and hopefully he still is.
In truth, even if he isn’t he could still just about win this race.
It’s true that he faces current Champion chaser, Politologue - but he’s never had the quality of Altior and his win last season, seemed a bit of a fluke.
That said, he is a horse who’s at his best fresh - and Paul Nicholls will undoubtedly have him spot on tomorrow.
If Altior is beaten, then it will most like be by him.
Greaneteen and Rouge Vif are the 2 others to consider.
Both are up and coming chases - and whilst they will need to post serious personal bests to win, that’s not impossible.
Greaneteen won the Haldon Gold cup on his seasonal debut - and whilst he wasn’t massively impressive in doing so, he still got the job done.
Rouge Vif was hugely impressive when winning on his seasonal debut in a decent handicap at Cheltenham. However, he has a marked preference for decent ground - and he’s not going to get that.
As a consequence, Greaneteen looks the more likely of the pair - but if Alitor and Politologue run to form, third placing is probably the best he’ll be looking at.

3:00

There’s a disappointing turn out of just 7 for this race - but it still looks very open…

Cloudy Glen hacked up in the Southern National at Fontwell last time - but that was a very poor race and he’s been raised 11lb for the win.
It’ll be hard not to take him on, at a price of 2/1…
Classic Ben won the race 2 years ago - and off the same mark that he races off tomorrow.
He’s still only 5 and should be cherry ripe, having run well on his seasonal debut at Exeter.
He sets the race standard - though that is reflected in a relatively short price.
Crosspark ran really well to finished second to Step Back over this course, last time.
That was his second good run this season - but as a consequence, he’s edged up the handicap by 3lbs without winning…
Doing Fine would have won this race 12 months ago - if it hadn’t been voided.
He did gain compensation next time - but is now 6lb higher.
He’s also just shy of his 13th birthday - and hasn’t been in top form in recent starts.
Regal Flow is a year older - but he ran pleasingly on his seasonal debut at this course, behind Crosspark - and also finished a close runner up in last years Veterans final (also at this course).
He’s now 2lb lower than he was for both of those runs - and heavy ground and marathon trips, hold no fears for him.
Shanroe Santos is potentially the best handicapped horse in the race - and the booking of Harry Cobden really catches the eye.
However, he’s an enigmatic character - and does seem to be in decline.
Pobbles Bay is also possibly in decline - though he shaped well enough on his seasonal debut at Aintree.
However, he unseated his rider on his subsequent start at Haydock - and jumping is his Achilles heal.
Sandown is very much a specialist course - and I’m not entirely convinced that it will suit him.

3:35

This could be a really strong handicap - and it’s likely to be run in desperate conditions…

Mister Coffey has been installed a very short priced favourite - and that’s understandable after his demolition job over course and distance, last time.
He looked completely different class to his rivals that day - and his 5 length winning margin could easily have been doubled.
He’s been raised 10lb for that win - and whilst I think he might be able to cope with  that, I’d be a little worried about his temperament.
He’s clearly a mentally fragile horse - so there is always going to be a risk as to whether he can be switched off in a race.
There is also a question mark over how he will handle very heavy ground…
What’s more, he is facing a host of dangerous looking rivals tomorrow:
Nickolson is another horse with plenty of potential and he ran as well as could have been expected on his seasonal return, when runner up to Ribble Valley at Carlisle.
I’d expect him to be straighter for that run - and it’s easy to see him running a big race.
Benson was in the process of running a massive race in heavy ground at this course, in February, when he unseated his rider at the second last.
That was his hurdling debut - and it was in an open listed race !
He didn’t do as well on his only subsequent outing last season - but has won his two races this season, so could still be anything…
Galice Macalo has also won her 2 races this season - and is nearly impossible to get a handle on.
Her opening mark of 127 doesn’t look too bad - though it is very hard to judge.
It’s a lot easier to judge the mark of Jollys Cracked it - and he should be very  competitive off 132.
More than that, he has crack conditional, Kevin Brogan, in the saddle - who is good for another 7lbs…
Jollys Cracked it has generally run his best races at Ascot - and is now 11 years old.
However, I can’t see why he wont act around Sandown - and 2 miles in the mud, should suit him very well…
Totterdown and Rosie and Millie both like to lead - so one of them is likely to be disappointed.
I’m also not convinced that either quite has it in them, to win such a competitive race.

Aintree

12:55


I felt that Hunters Call ran really well last time, in the Greatwood hurdle at the Cheltenham November meeting.
He’s a fragile horse - and is now 10 years old - but all the old ability remains.
It’s interesting to see him stepped up to 2m4f tomorrow - though whilst he may be a little better for his seasonal debut, I suspect there won’t be a great deal of improvement.
That said, his form in the book, still means he is the one to beat…
Mint Condition is a very different horse.
He’s only raced 5 times over hurdles - winning the last twice.
They were his only 2 runs in handicaps - and he did well to get up at Bangor last time, in what was a fair contest.
He’s been raised 5lb for that win - but that’s not overly harsh and I would expect him to run very well.
I’d also expect Captain Tom Cat to run well.
He won at the Cheltenham October meeting - before finishing third at the November meeting.
He’s still only 5 so there should be plenty of improvement still left in him.
Ballymoy finished 4th to Mint Condition at Bangor - and is 7lb better off for 6 lengths.
That suggests it should be very close between the pair - particularly as Ballymoy was making his seasonal debut.
He’s a classy horse - and 2m4f in soft ground is precisely the test he needs.
There is no reason why he won’t run a big race…

1:30 

The first of 2 races run over the big fences - this should be a great spectacle.
Whilst the fences aren’t as hard to jump nowadays, it does require a certain type of horse to thrive over them - one that is prepared to brush through the top (as opposed to try and jump them !)

I nearly (unofficially) tipped Le Breuil for this race last week - before the 5 day decs came out.
However, he was ‘only’ 14/1 at the time - which I thought a big stingy.
He’s 5/1 now..!
The trouble is, this looks the ideal race for him - and he appears to have been targeted at it.
He ran in the corresponding race last year - and seemed to really take to the fences.
At the time, it appeared the perfect prep for the Grand National - but ofcourse that never happened…
What’s more, Le Breuil probably wouldn’t have been able to race in it, even if it had - as his form subsequently dipped.
He ran a nice race on his comeback however - and gets into tomorrows race off a mark 9lb lower than 12 months ago.
That’s a 17lb turnaround with Walk in the Mill for a 20 length beating.
In theory, that’s about right - however I suspect Le Breuil is very much the one to beat.
Walk in the Mill will doubtless be tuned to the minute, in his attempt for a hatrick in this race.
However, he is now 10 - and running off a mark 8lb higher than last year.
I’m sure he’ll run well - but I’ll be surprised if he manages anything better than a place.
The same is true for Kimberlite Candy, who is 16lb higher than last year - and could actually do with getting beaten ! (and a subsequent rating drop)
Coo Star Sivola is very interesting.
He won at the Cheltenham festival a couple of seasons ago - and runs off a 5lb lower mark tomorrow.
He’s had issues since that win - but showed plenty on his return at Bangor.
He’s still only 8 - and suffice to say, if all the old ability remains, he will be hard to beat.
Aso is interesting from a pure handicapping perspective - as I’m sure he is better than his current rating of 155.
However, a trip of 3m2f is going to stretch his stamina - probably to breaking point.
I could see Yala Enki running well - but again, a placing is probably the best he will achieve; whilst I’m just not convinced that the course will suit Ramses de Teille.
Of the outsiders, then Joe Farrel has a chance, at a big price.
He’s 11 now - and hasn’t been in the best of form lately. However, his rating is dropping as a consequence - and I could see him relishing the test.
Brain Hughes is also an eye catching jockey booking…

2:05

Juvenile fillies hurdle contests, wouldn’t exactly be my speciality (in truth, I doubt they are the speciality of many !).
Megan looks very short in the betting at 6/4 - though she did win well on her hurdling debut and should handle tomorrows conditions.
She’s the one to beat - but it’s interesting that Joseph O’Brien sends over Scholastic.
She has a lot more experience - and some fair form.
I’d be more inclined to back her to place, than Megan to win (though in truth, I’ll probably just duck the race !).

2:40

There are 5 runners in this - but only 3 of them really count…
Santini is the best horse in the race - as was demonstrated by his close second in last seasons Gold Cup.
If he was to run to that level of form tomorrow, he’d almost certainly win - however, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll run to that level of form !
It’s his seasonal debut - and whilst I’m sure he’ll be reasonably fit, I’m also sure he will improve for the outing…
Native River is also likely to improve for his first run of the season - though I suspect he could be closer to peak fitness.
The winner of the 2018 Gold Cup, he’s not hit those heights since - but he’s still a pretty useful animal.
The issue he may face, is that he likes to front run - but so to does Frodon.
It’ll be interesting to see how that one plays out…
Frodon is the only one of the big 3 with a run under his belt - and on slightly better ground, with no competition for the lead, I would fancy him.
However, 3m2f on soft ground is likely to be a stretch for him - and if he gets into a battle with Native River, I can’t see it ending well.
Ultimately, this race is going to come down to tactics and fitness - and as we can’t be sure on either, it will be a watching race…

3:15

The second race of the day over the big fences, this one looks more open…

Didero Vallis has made his way to the top of the market - which is a little surprising.
He ran in the race 12 months ago (I tipped him !) - and whilst he ran well, he was ultimately quite well beaten in fifth.
He’s 2lb lower in the weights tomorrow, so there is every chance he will be placed.
Whether that entitles him to be race favourite however, is a different matter…
Interestingly, Beau Bay finished third last year, 8 lengths in front of Dideros Vallis - and whilst he is a pound worse off at the weights, he has a conditional jockey on board tomorrow, which means he is effectively 2lb better off !
Taken literally, the form suggest Beau Bay should beat Didero Vallis tomorrow - but he is a much bigger price.
He also ran a fair race on his seasonal debut at Wetherby last month - and I suspect he has been targeted at this race…
Huntsman Son and Modus were both impressive winners last time, on their returns from long absences.
However both were raised 9lb for their wins - and there must be a chance they could ‘bounce’.
Senior Citizen is interesting as a novice in the race.
He’s only run 5 times previously over fences - but if his inexperience doesn’t catch him out, he is likely to still have plenty of scope for improvement.
Nigel Twiston Davies saddles two in the race - and I think they can both be given a chance.
Flying Angel was sent off a short priced fav for the race 12 months ago - and whilst he only finished fourth he will be running off a mark 3lb lower tomorrow (so should also have the beating of Didero Vallis !).
However Sam TD appears to have chose Crievehill ahead of him…
He’s a hard one to get a proper handle on, but he caught my eye last time in the Old Roan Chase - and I suspect his turn isn’t far away.
The final one on the ‘short’ list, is Might Bite.
He had looked gone at the game - however, he showed up really well last time at Ascot, on his seasonal debut.
There’s a risk he won’t be able to back that up - but if he can, then on old form, he is thrown in off a mark of 150.

Chepstow

1:57

It’s unlikely that the Welsh National trial will actually have much bearing on the Welsh National - but it’s a decent race, non-the-less…

Lamanver Pippin has been installed favourite - which is understandable.
He finished third in the long distance amateur riders race, at last seasons Cheltenham festival - and then occupied the same position on his return in a fair race at the Cheltenham November meeting.
He’s been raised 4lb for that run - but I’d expect him to improve for it: Whilst the booking of Sean Bowen and the fitting of first time cheek pieces, are both positive moves.
Captain Tommy finished runner up in a decent race at Bangor, last time.
That came as a bit of a shock to me, as I didn’t particularly fancy him - but he was heavily supported in the market, so it clearly wasn’t a shock to everyone !
He’s been raised a pound for his efforts - but that’s fair enough and the booking of a 5lb claimer, suggests connections are keen to go one better.
The Two Amigos was a place behind Captain Tommy at Bangor - and whilst a one pound turnaround in the weights shouldn’t be sufficient to see the form reversed, he should have derived significant benefit from his seasonal debut.
That said, he finished fifth in the Welsh National last year - and I suspect that will again be his main target.
Yalltari was pulled up in the Bangor race - but ran OK, to a point.
Unlike Captain Tommy, I quite fancied him for that race, based on his previous form.
It’s unusual for Venetias to come on for the run - but he may have needed.
He’s been dropped 4lb in the ratings - which is quite generous - and Hugh Nugent takes off another 5lb.
He’s won in the Chepstow mud in the past - and off the same mark - so a case can definitely be made for him…
I quite fancied Saint Xavier last time, when he ran at Haydock.
That was in a strong race - and unfortunately, he fell around half way. It was far too early to tell whether he would have been involved in the finish - but I felt he was still going OK.
Off the same mark tomorrow, he definitely has a chance.

2:32

It’s no surprise to see St Barts a short priced favourite for this.
He won a fair handicap hurdle at Ascot, on his final outing of last season - and showed distinct promise on his chasing debut at Exeter last month, when runner up to Ofalltheginjoints.
He’s been raised 3lb for that run - but that is offset by the booking of Ben Jones.
He should also be sharper for the run - and very much looks the one to beat.
Ask Me Early makes his fencing debut tomorrow, after just 2 runs over hurdles.
He won an Irish PTP 18 months ago - and connections are clearly keen to get him over the bigger obstacles.
It’s hard to judge whether his rating is lenient - but horses who get marks over hurdles, but then immediately run over fences, are always of interest…
Thomas Macdonagh showed decent form as a novice over hurdles last season - culminating in a fair run in the Martin Pipe race at the Cheltenham festival.
There was definite promise in his debut effort over fences at Stratford in October - and if he can build on that, I would expect him to run well tomorrow.



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