Hi all,

I hope I didn’t put anyone off Coko Beach in the Punchestown feature. I wasn’t convinced of his stamina for 3m 4f. However, in my defence I did say that his good jumping always gives him a chance in these sort of races. And he jumped better than his rivals yesterday. The race also seemed to be modestly run which suited him.

Inside today’s main piece you’ll read my thoughts on Saturday’s big performances.

Saturday Review

There were some excellent performances on Saturday. The racing was good and despite the quick ground the field sizes held up surprisingly well at both Ascot and Haydock.

Ascot

Sensational Shishkin

The days feature race the Grade 1 Ascot Chase was won in impressive style by Shishkin.  The winner came into the race with a question mark over his well-being after his last two performances. We’ll he answered it in impressive success.

Those who kept the faith with Shishkin must have realised from early on that the horse looked back to his best. He was travelling much more sweetly than he had done on his last two starts. Taking it up from Pic D’orhy two outhe soon powered clear of his toiling rivals to win by 16 lengths.

Pic D’orhy held on for second but he was a very tired horse crossing the line. Last year’s winner Fakir D'oudairies was a further 7 lengths back in third. He plugged on but his backers new their fate two from home.

What a masterly training performance by Nicky Henderson  to bring the 9-year-old back to his best. Not surprisingly he was cut to even money for the Ryanair Chas after this success.

With Allaho absent the Ryanair looks at his mercy if he comes out of the race sound. There’s a slight possibility that he could for a Gold Cup, but I think he’ll head for the Ryanair.

Outsider lands Reynoldstown

Oscar Elite the outsider of the three was a surprise winner of Ascot’s Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase. Third in last year’s Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. And its that race that he’ll be heading for again. The top Irish staying novice chasers have nothing to fear from their British counterparts.

Wincanton

Shishkin aside the most impressive winner on Saturday was at Wincanton where I Like To Move It won the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle.

Knappers Hill has helped set a strong pace which the winner relished. Taking it up two out from the long-time leader he powered majestically clear of his three rivals to win by 17 lengths.

It was a back to form performance after a disappointing effort at Cheltenham over 2m 4 ½ f in December. A combination of a drop back to 1m 7f and a return to quicker enabled the winner to put in a career best performance.

I Like To Move It now heads for the Champion Hurdle and he would have a good chance of getting into the frame if the ground is on the quick side next month.

Haydock

Wakool won a weak renewal of the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle. He showed a good attitude to get the better of Itchy Feet on the run in. It was a good prize for the winner to win and he deserved his success on the day. 

There were no Stayers Hurdle clues to be gleaned from the race. The winner doesn’t hold an entry in the race and even if he did he wouldn’t be troubling the leading contenders.

Mares Fight Out National Trial Finish

Despite the ‘goodish’ ground fourteen lined-up for the Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. On paper it looked a strong renewal of the race and two mares Quick Wave and Snow Leopardess fighting out an exciting finish.  In the end it was Quick Wave who just got the better of Snow Leopardess to win by ¾ length.  

Two out I thought Snow Leopardess was going to bounce back to form in the first time cheekpieces, but she was just outpointed by a stronger stayer.

It was third win the race for trainer Venetia Williams who also had third in Cloudy Glen. Venetia also had the race favourite in Fontaine Collonges (7/2) but she never looked happy on the good ground and could only finish tenth.

The weights for the Grand National come out on Tuesday and it will be interesting to see what the handicapper thinks of the form.  

Snow Leopardess doesn’t have a Grand National entry, but she could go to the Cross Country at Cheltenham. Both the winner and the third are in the race. Quick Wave showed in victory that she a tough mare who stays very well and will be worth her place in the line-up. Mind she’ll get a hike in the official ratings after this win.

I thought Cloudy Glen produced the best trial. He jumped well out in front and was still bang there at the last. Given this was his first start for 385-days he might have needed the run. Albeit its worth remembering that he has won on his seasonal return for the previous two. seasons.  Given his jumping and prominent style of racing he should be suited by the test of a Grand National. The 50/1 available for the race with Coral & Paddy Power looks more than fair to me.

Monday racing

Carlisle and Lingfield provide today’s jumps cards. Plus, there’s an evening all-weather fixture at Newcastle. The fields sizes at both Carlisle seem to have held up well which is a positive on a moderate looking day of sport.

The Andrew Fairley Retirement Handicap Chase (3:15) is the highlight of a seven race card at the Cumbria track.

Carlisle

3:15 – Post Chaise made it 2-2 over fences when beating six rivals at Huntingdon three weeks ago. Has a 9lb rise in the weights to defy to win today but the 6-year-old is open to more improvement and will be tough to beat.

Enqarde won the Tommy Whittle at Haydock last season and ran well back at the venue in April.  Not at his best in three starts this season but he’s back from wind surgery and down to his last winning mark.

Key Commander bounced back to something like his best when a 6 ¼ length 3^rd of 12 at Hereford last month. That was the 8-year-old’s first run since switching to trainer Mel Rowley and if he can build on that performance he’s handily weighted on Irish form.

Tile Tapper finished runner-up on his first two starts this season. Low key effort at Kempton last month. However, it might worth forgiving that performance as it came just 18 days after his previous start. Trainer makes the long trek up from Devon.

Likely favourite Post Chaise will be tough to beat if he makes the expected improvement. Enqarde has dropped down to a winnable mark if benefitting from a wind op. However, at the prices I'm going to take chance with Key Commander.

Monday selection:

Carlisle

3:15 – Key Commander – 16/1 @ Bet365 & Coral.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John