Morning all,
It was slow motion stuff at Leicester on Monday but the veteran Greenside rolled back the years to for a well-deserved success. Always good to get the week off to a winning start as it does to take off the pressure for the rest of week.
Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting was a disappointment from a betting perspective. So, it was important to see Allmankind win the Old Roan Chase on Sunday and find another winner on the Aintree card. It’s always good to get an early jumps winner under your belt. If only to know that you have a handle on the form.
Inside today’s main piece. I’m focusing on the jumps and the weekend action at Cheltenham. Plus. I have two horses for the tracker and a selection from the Curragh.
As I said in Monday’s column. The Showcase meeting wasn’t of the highest quality. However, we did see a couple of excellent performances and a few for the tracker.
Showcase meeting review
Third Time Lucki for Skelton
Third Time Lucki likely enough didn’t beat much on his chase debut. However, there’s no denying that he jumped beautifully for a novice. He’s an exciting prospect going forward and although it’s a bit premature to say he will win an Arkle Novices’ Chase but he’s one to keep on side going forward.
Before Midnight & Sam Thomas
Arguably the best jumping performance of the two days came from Before Midnight in Saturday’s two-mile handicap chase. He jumped immaculately out in front to run out a comfortable 6 length winner. He will take a big hit from the handicapper after this success but he goes well on a sound surface and given his jumping can never be totally dismissed around here.
It was a good Saturday winner for trainer Sam Thomas. There are a couple of jumps trainers who punch above their weight one is Stuart Edmunds and the other is Sam Thomas.
Thomas didn’t make much of an impact on his first five years of training producing 21 winners from 217 runners 8% -80.35 62 placed 23%. However, he’s been a slow burner and since the start of 2020 he’s had 28 winners from 119 runners 24% 59 placed 50% producing a £34.53 profit to a £1 stake. Short term, I’m sure it will continue to pay to keep his runners onside.
Don't give up on Storm
Cloth Cap ran like the run was needed after 7 months off the track and a recent breathing operation. Always front rank he was seen off coming to three out. The cheekpieces that transformed him last season were left off on Saturday but will return for his next start. Another big run in the Ladbroke Trophy seems likely but he does need good ground to be at his best. All in all, an encouraging to start to the campaign by the 9-year-old and his 4th placing will have pleased connections.
Cloth Cap’s stablemate Sky Pirate also returned in the 2m handicap chase. Another returning from a 7-month absence he wasn’t as sharp as the winner Before Midnight. I thought it was a very good effort to try to give the winner 23lb. Last season’s Grand Annual winner will strip fitter for the run but a career high mark of 159 won’t be easy to defy.
Storm Control, trained by Kerry Lee, had been expected (returned 100/30 fav) to go close in the 3m 1f handicap chase. However, he ran well below par. Possible excuses are the going was a shade too quick on this occasion which is possible. His jockey told the stewards his mount was “unable to hold prominent position early”. While trainer Kerry Lee said he “lacked confidence after running over National fences last time”. I think he probably needed the run more than the market expected – 0 wins from 4 runs when racing after 150+day absence. Whatever the reason. He’s not one to give up on just yet.
Two for the tracker
This week’s eyecatchers are from Cheltenham & Aintree:
Torn And Frayed – Nigel Twiston – Davies
Ran a very encouraging race on his first start over fences in the 2m 4f novices limited handicap chase on Friday. Held up, he ran on to grab third in the shadow of the post. Twice a winner over hurdles last season. He has the size to do better over fences and with this experience under his belt can win over the larger obstacles.
Midnight Shadow – Sue Smith
Midnight Shadow put in a poor effort on his seasonal reappearance in last season’s Old Roan Chase. This time was much better. Returning from an 8-month absence. He travelled like a nicely handicapped horse through the race and was upsides the race fit winner Allmankind two out. The 8-year-old only lost second in the final strides. This run will have delighted connections and there should be a nice pot in him before the season is out.
In tomorrow’s column I start my look ahead to the weekend’s big race action and there’s plenty of it.
Tuesday racing
There are four meetings this afternoon. Two on the flat at Catterick & the Curragh and two over jumps at Bangor and Chepstow. The day’s action is completed by another evening all-weather card at Newcastle.
Not much to get excited about today. I’m off over to the Curragh for a tentative and I mean tentative each way selection.
Curragh
3:30 – Mephisto put in a much better effort when a 6 ¼ length 6th of 17 at Navan 20-days ago. Was making some headway on the rail when forced to switch 1f out and would have finished a bit closer than he did, if he had a got a clearer passage. Doesn’t look to have much in hand off his mark but Sam Ewing takes off a handy 5lb and the blinkers which he won with last season when with Ralph Beckett return for the first time this year.
Mephisto – 18/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (each way)
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk