Good morning all,
Friday sees the start of the two-day International Meeting at Cheltenham and you can see the best of the action on ITV racing. The course will be witnessing the return of paying spectators for the first time since the Festival.
There’s an eight-race card on Friday with the re-staged Peterborough Chase being added to the card.
On Saturday the feature races are Grade 2 International Hurdle (3.00) and the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (1.50) is the big betting race of the weekend. The ITV cameras will also be at Doncaster to cover three races from the South Yorkshire track.
It’s that time in the week when I look ahead to the weekend’s big race action. Now I have two weather apps that I use and they seem to be sending mixed messages as far as rainfall is concerned. One is suggesting 14mm of rain at Cheltenham before Saturday and the other just ‘spits and spots’ on Friday. Conflicting weather reports are never good news to the ears of ante post punters.
The going at Cheltenham is being currently described as good to soft. I can’t see it being better than that and if the more pessimistic forecast proves correct it could be soft come Saturday.
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on Saturday’s Caspian Caviar Gold. Plus, I have a selection from Hexham.
Caspian Caviar Gold – Cheltenham
The first, third and fifth in the Paddy Power look set to run. Coole Cody has been raised 6lb but has been given a chance of backing up his Paddy Power win.
Al Dancer should get closer to the winner here at the revised weights on the stiffer new course.
Sky Pirate looked to be going as well as anything before making a mistake two out. He remains a maiden after 10 starts over fences but is talented enough to win a race like this when all the cards fall right.
Top-weight Master Tommytucker is getting better and better with racing. Last time out he beat five rivals in a graduation chase at Haydock which has been won in the past by stablemates Clan Des Obeaux and Politologue. A likely runner but connections do have the option of the Peterborough Chase on Friday.
Five of Cepage’s six best RPR’s have come here including when winning over C&D in January. The 8-year-old finished runner-up to Frodon in the race in 2018 and was a good fourth in last year’s renewal. First run since failing to stay 3m 1f in the Ultima Handicap Chase here at the Festival in March. Goes well fresh, form figures 1222 when returning from a 121+day layoff.
Clondaw Castle has been a steady improver since stepping up to 2m 4f. He’s only 4lb higher than when winning at Newbury 15-days ago. Has a chance at the weights but was well beaten in this last year. My suspicion is that he’s better on a flatter track.
Two from the North
The North has a big player in the Brian Ellison trained Windsor Avenue. The 8-year-old showed his well being when finishing runner-up to Imperial Aura in last month’s Colin Parker Chase at Carlisle. That was his first start since a wind-op. Any rain would be welcomed and I can see him going well on his handicap chase debut.
Midnight Shadow took advantage of Champ falling two out to win the Grade 2 Dipper Chase over C&D in January and then wasn't disgraced when 6th of 12 back here in the Marsh Chase at the Festival. The Sue Smith stable was struggling for winners when he ran poorly in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on his seasonal return. He’s surely better than he was able to show last time and would have each way claims if back to his best.
Irish Raider Chatham Hill Lad would be another with each way claims should trainer Michael Winters bring over the 8-year-old for the race. He’s an improving handicap chaser who won’t mind the forecast rain.
If you want my Cheltenham selections you can get them here.
Having discussed on Monday the racing media’s unhealthy obsession with all things Cheltenham Festival, I join the party on Thursday with the start of my ante post “Highway to the Cheltenham Festival”.
Wednesday Racing
A welcome winner yesterday courtesy of Earth Moor at Fontwell. There’s not much getting me excited today but I have one that interests me at Hexham.
Hexham
12:55 – Mymilan has been a beaten favourite on his last four starts but wasn’t beaten far into fourth at Carlisle last month. The 7-year-old’s best performances have come on heavy ground and it seems he stays 3m. Looks set to go close for the inform Sandy Thomson yard.
Wednesday selection:
Hexham
12:55 – Mymilan – 4/1 – Gen.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John