Not long to go now.
I feel greater minds than yours truly have had their say on the upcoming Festival so we will park the subject for this week. If things work out and don’t go the way of my intended trip to the Dublin Racing Festival, I shall be at Twickenham on Saturday so racing will have to take a back seat. Mind you. looking at some of my previous selections that’s what they have been taking. However, we did manage a non-runner last week. Although that horse is entered up at Sandown come Saturday so the law of sod will no doubt come into play.
Ok I can’t resist one angle which might pay dividends next week. This is to keep an eye out for the mounts of the two Irish conditionals I have been banging on about this season. If either Sam Ewing or Jack Foley are jocked up in the handicaps they should be followed. Some of the big trainers use these two lads and their claims are like gold dust. Whilst I am at it if Mr H Swan…son of the mighty Charlie ….is jocked up in any of the amateur riders races he is also worth following.
Yet another weekend coming up which has a distinctly “let’s get to Cheltenham as quickly as possible “feel to it. Three UK jump meetings on Saturday at Ayr Sandown and Hereford. The Imperial Cup will be the big betting race of the day, but I think I have used up my luck on two-mile hurdles so will give it a swerve. The two most valuable chases are the 3.35pm at Sandown a 0-140 two miles four furlongs Novice Handicap and the 4.10pm at Sandown a 0-135 over three miles. Both of these are worth a second look for betting purposes. As seems to be the case these days small fields prevail with only six and seven runners respectively. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Selection – 3:35 Sandown – Paddy Power Novices’ Handicap Chase
Looking at the early prices for the novice handicap nothing really stands out as a value bet. One of the two Nicholls entries Danny Kirwan is down as favourite but as a nine-year-old who doesn’t appear the most fluent of jumpers he looks opposable. The top weight Scene Not Herd is unbeaten over fences all at smaller tracks and is 22lbs higher than when he started his winning run at Herford back in November. He has the assistance of the underrated Jonathan Burke and might still be improving but unless he eases out to around, he is not for me. Albert Einstein said, ”Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results“ but I am still drawn to a Venetia Williams runner at the available prices. The stable has been under a cloud as Farinet demonstrated last week but, where’s that cliff? They had three entered but choose to run the seven-year-old Frenchy Du Large. This lad’s hat trick bid faltered in the Lingfield mud last time out which was surprising as he has form on that surface, at around 6/1 he looks to have a decent shout if he copes with the forecast good going. Let’s hope we can prove Albert wrong.
1. Frenchy Du Large
Selection – 4:10 Sandown – Paddy Power Handicap Chase
The three miler is another tight handicap with only seven pounds separating top and bottom weights. Last week’s non running selection Powerstown Park might turn out to bite us on the rear end, but I like the look of Robert Walford’s Flagrant Delitiep who is dipping his toe in slightly deeper waters than normal. Usually plying his trade round the West Country circuit, connections must feel the time is right to try him out on a bigger track. In form Stan Sheppard takes the mount and providing his mount stays the trip this free going sort could go close. He has never won off a mark this high but if around 4/1 or 9/2 is available he is worth a look. The Tizzard runner Ofalltheginjoints might be the biggest danger he is dropping rapidly down the weights and didn’t run badly last time out at Kempton. He was running off 143 this time last year and now runs off 130 so if they can reignite the spark, he should have a chance.
1. Flagrant Delitiep
Looks like Danny McMenamin is confident of being passed fit to ride Tommy’s Oscar for Ann and Ian Hamilton in the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. What a fillip that would be for Northern racing if that team came home in front.
Its hard not to be too excited and remember the usual caveat … you don’t have to bet on every race.
Enjoy the week…
Have a good weekend too.
Dave
Again, good luck throughout the winter. If you’re interested in racehorse ownership, take a look at the syndicate’s available shares.