Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Horse Racing ideas
12:55 Naas – Hurricane Cliff
13:25 Naas – Firefox
14:20 Chepstow – Jeffrey’s Cross
14:05 Plumpton – Cloud Dancer
14:40 Plumpton – Minella Blueway
*All costs are bang updated with our snazzy widgets, whereas odds in copy are correct at time of publishing however topic to alter.
Based mostly on his current kind, high weight Embittered is price loads of respect on this weak wanting 2m handicap chase having fallen from a excessive mark of 147 some 12 months in the past to his present ranking of 132. The 11-year-old ran rather well within the Topham Trophy over the Grand Nationwide fences in April, till his stamina gave out up the run in, and also you actually couldn’t crab his effort within the Munster Nationwide when he was nonetheless within the firing line three from dwelling earlier than backing out to complete eighth.
Again right down to 2m, I shall be having a saver on him to return my stake on HURRICANE CLIFF Silver King ran a good race on return, however doesn’t impress together with his leaping approach, whereas The Different Mozzie in all probability desires higher floor than this. The choice has some unfinished enterprise to take care of. He was effectively regarded by HDB, successful a maiden hurdle after which operating effectively in some useful occasions at Leopardstown and Punchestown. 5 runs over fences have yielded one victory off a mark of 112, after which his astute coach took a punt, and ran him in a Listed novice chase at Fairyhouse the place he travelled properly till having a set to with the eighth impediment. That made him lose all momentum and he shortly pulled up. A mark of 120 certainly underestimates his stage of expertise, and with indicators the secure are lastly choosing up, I feel he’s the primary punt on this winnable contest.
Hindsight is a superb factor in racing, however it can by no means refund your dropping stakes, so take consolation from the very fact even the shrewdest trainers sometimes get it flawed. Emmet Mullins with Corbetts Cross within the King George is one selection instance. And the proof wanting again additionally tells us final season’s novice hurdlers have been effectively under par as effectively, which can put many off you supporting FIREFOX for this prestigious Grade Two.
Nevertheless, I cherished the way in which he travelled powerfully via the race on his chasing debut at Down Royal, and readily put the competition to mattress when requested, and his subsequent shut third to Croke Park within the Drinmore was a major step ahead in a race run at a stop-start tempo which wouldn’t have helped his rhythm. I fancy he’s price one other likelihood, though one other vital slice of enchancment is required to beat seemingly favorite, Inthepocket, and Ile Atlantique. The primary named got here again from his absence to readily win at Wexford, however his leaping was not put underneath any stress, as these behind him did not get a shot at their goal and that won’t be the case right here and the Willie Mullins’ cost ought to give a result in our choice. I worry the latter extra following his win over two and a half miles. If these two commerce blows up entrance it might depart them weak if Sam Ewing stays out of the early battle up high.
Regardless of solely six set to go to put up right here, there appears to be sufficient tempo on this race to chop out the potential for a dash from the house flip with the sunshine weight Captain Boudet and Heros de Romay set to make it a good gallop. The Venetia Williams’ educated Take pleasure in Your Life is unquestionably manner higher than his pulled up effort at Exeter final day trip, when he was struggling a good distance from dwelling, following a promising opening right here over two and a half miles. Nevertheless, I feel they’ll all have their work reduce out to see off high weight JEFFREY’S CROSS who has clearly had his issues, however appears as if he retains loads of his outdated means judged on a cracking second at Windsor on his first run for 581 days.
That day you could possibly see Harry Skelton was attempting to nurse him via the race and get him leaping from fence to fence, which he did, and it was solely within the ultimate 200 yards he discovered that lack of a run enjoying in opposition to him. Should you consider within the bounce issue, then for a lot of of you that might be his major downside right here, however I don’t, and if coming ahead sufficient from that apply outing I fancy he might outclass his rivals right here – earlier than being requested sterner questions later within the season.
A disappointing turnout of simply 9 runners for this £75,000-added contest, with final 12 months’s winner Transmission set to defend his crown, following his superb win 12 months in the past when his younger rider carried out an excellent feat of horsemanship within the early levels of the competition. An 8lbs larger mark requires a lot extra in opposition to some elegant opponents. Prime weight Monmiral has run two stable races this season, making the stylish Sturdy Chief work exhausting within the Grade Two Coral Lengthy Distance Hurdle at Newbury final day trip. Nevertheless, he’s nonetheless 7lbs larger than his successful mark within the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Last on the Cheltenham Competition. In distinction to lots of his eight rivals right here, CLOUD DANCER is completely unexposed over an prolonged journey and was vastly spectacular when touchdown a category 4 handicap hurdle over three miles at Doncaster when he travelled very strongly via that contest at City Moor. A 6lbs penalty appears a good sufficient rise within the weights and with no weight on his again the six-year-old can take one other step ahead right here.
There’s some severe prize cash up for grabs on the East Sussex observe and it’s a disgrace the 2 major races have solely attracted fields of 9 and eight respectively. Three and a half miles round right here is not going to appear a frightening prospect for a lot of, however the important thing to successful this Sussex Nationwide Handicap Chase is to get into a correct rhythm, and pop away on the obstacles. To that impact, Gold Clermont might have his personal manner up entrance. Versatile, as regards techniques, he has run a few of his greatest races when allowed off the leash and off this gentle weight might effectively take some catching. Unanswered Prayers completed a creditable third to Mr Vango within the London Nationwide at Sandown, as Damaged Halo pulled up. The latter is a few 6lbs higher off right here and nonetheless travelled okay underneath Lorcan Williams earlier than bottoming out shortly turning for dwelling earlier than the Pond Fence.
He appears positive to come back good for that run, and a mark of 132 is playable, and I feel he might practically reverse that Esher kind. However the vote goes to Welsh raider MINELLA BLUEWAY who to my eyes has merely been crying out for a check of this nature. Nonetheless a maiden after three begins over fences, he ran a cracker behind the robust staying Ballycamus at Windsor final day trip, and appears prepared for this deeper check of stamina. His leaping that day was stable and he’s 5lbs decrease than his highest successful mark over hurdles.
Paul Jacobs’ Sunday Horse Racing ideas
12:55 Naas – Hurricane Cliff
13:25 Naas – Firefox
14:20 Chepstow – Jeffrey’s Cross
14:05 Plumpton – Cloud Dancer
14:40 Plumpton – Minella Blueway
*All costs are bang updated with our snazzy widgets, whereas odds in copy are correct on the time of publishing however topic to alter.
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