Hi all,
ITV4 shows seven races on Sunday. Four come from Kelso on Scottish Borders National Day. The other three are from Huntingdon, headed by the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase. Cork also stages a top-class card, with the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase the standout contest.
ITV are not covering the Cork card but the Hilly Way Chase is Sunday’s best race, and I think the Cork undercard is better quality than what’s on offer at Huntingdon and Kelso.
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the three Graded races at Cork plus the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
Cork
1:40 – Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (Grade 2) – 2m1f
Kargese makes her chase debut after winning the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. She’s thrown straight into deep waters. If she jumps, she should outclass this field, and the market reflects that. But we still haven’t seen her jump a fence in public.
Her stablemate Jalila Moriviere made a smooth start over fences when scoring at Sligo 67 days ago. She was a useful hurdler but already looks better as a chaser. She remains capable of winning more races over fences.
Kala Conti is the main danger if Kargese fails to fire. She jumped well when winning a beginners’ chase here over 2m4f two weeks ago. She’s open to further progress and won’t need much improvement if the favourite fluffs her lines.
2:15 – Stayers Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) – 3m½f
Kalypso'chance bounced back from a disappointing hurdle debut, found to be amiss, to win the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle (2m4f) at Navan last time. It was a gritty success. His jumping can improve, and the step up to three miles should suit him well. He won’t be much of a price but is one for the multiples.
2:50 – BAR 1 Betting Hilly Way Chase (Grade 2) – 2m1f
Only five runners, but what a line-up. No disrespect to Huntingdon and it’s Peterborough Chase but this is the race of the day.
Majborough won two Grade 1 novice chases last season. His jumping let him down in the Arkle and his jumping wasn’t fluent when winning at the Punchestown Festival, but his raw ability is unquestionable. He makes his first start in open company and must jump cleaner. If he does, he wins.
Energumene bids for a fourth victory in this race. He’s now eleven but loves soft ground and goes well fresh, winning all four starts after breaks of 121 days or more. This is likely his big seasonal target. He’ll run his race but might have to give second best to Majborough if that one is fit and ready on his return.
Found A Fifty arrives race-fit after winning the Grade 2 Fortria Chase for the second season running at Navan 20 days ago. He’s a solid jumper of a fence and he’ll be a big threat if the ground is soft or worse.
Banbridge won the King George VI Chase at Kempton last December but unseated at the last in this race 12 months ago when just a length behind Energumene. He was conceding 10lb to the latter that day so was set for a mighty performance. Doesn’t have the benefit of a prep run this time though and softer ground would be a concern.
Huntingdon
3:00 – Sky Bet Peterborough Chase (Grade 2) – 2m4f
Djelo won this last year and comes here after a near career-best effort in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. He stayed 3m well and looked stronger for it. Returning right-handed should suit him even more. He sets the standard. Yard form remains a concern.
Saint Sam makes the trip over for Willie Mullins, with Harry Cobden taking the ride. He’s consistent at this level and only 3lb behind Djelo on official ratings. He returns from a break but has an excellent record fresh, winning all four starts after layoffs of 90 days or more. Right-handed tracks suit, and this is his optimum trip. He’s the main threat to Djelo.
I’ll be back on Monday to recap Saturday’s highlights.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John