Morning all,
Two winners yesterday at Perth and a race to really whet the appetite for the National Hunt season as Moon Racer and Ballyandy fought out a cracker of a race, with David Pipe's charge narrowly edging the verdict. If that race is a sign of things to come, we're in for a great season.
Today's selections come from Worcester. There's a National Hunt card at Downpatrick as well, but I've given that a miss.
2.20 It's hard to get away from Southfield Vic (5/6) here. He has to give 6 lbs to his rivals, but he was an easy winner in a novices chase over C&D in May. He didn't seem to take to fences last winter, reverting back to hurdles, but the fact that he is back over fences now suggests that Nicholls feels this son of Old Vic has got more to offer in that sphere. Minella Daddy would be the pick to follow him home on debut over fences.
2.55 A two mile handicap chase next and Boss In Boots should go well for the in form Tim Vaughan under the champion jockey. Equally, Modeligo showed some good form in the spring, winning back to back here and at Warwick. He looked in need of the run at Stratford last time out and could shape better this time. But the selection for this race is Dealing River (7/2). Caroline Bailey's has won three times over C&D, but didn't fire last time over hurdles, just five days after winning a chase here. He beat Highbury High by ten lengths on that occasion and that one was a good winner at Warwick earlier in the week. A similar performance here should see him take the spoils.
3.30 A competitive race next with Gowanauthat looking for a sixth successive victory over fences. But there's plenty with a chance in here and he's up another seven lbs since winning at Stratford. Wings of Smoke is generally unreliable, but lines up for the in-form Tim Vaughan, while Mont Royale shaped well on return last time out, finishing third, and is on a handy mark. But my pick would be Degooch (7/1), who won well at Sedgefield last time out and is getting his jumping together. He also won at Uttoxeter over this trip earlier and should be on the premises again.
4.05 A selling hurdle which doesn't look like a great race, so a token selection for Trapper Peak (11/4). He was second behind Gentleman Moore last time out, but is much better off at the weights this time around and should reverse the form.
4.40 Novice hurdling next and the one catching the eye straight away is Canton Prince (9/4). He's two from two this season and I've already mentioned Tim Vaughan's form. He does have to cope with a step up in trip, but he stayed on well last time out, so three extra furlongs shouldn't give him too much concern. Race fitness could very well give him the edge over Newsworthy who has moved yards from Nicky Henderson after winning on his last start.
5.15 Another handicap hurdle and it looks like Days of Heaven may well have this as a pipe opener for the season having won over fences last time out. Miss Crick has been in great form winning three from four, but preference is given to Dovils Date (9/2). He followed up a ten length win at Southwell with a nine length win at Uttoxeter despite a penalty and he could again run another big race despite a raise in the weights.
5.50 In the lucky last, I'm going to take a chance on Le Bacardy (20/1). He's lost his way a bit running over fences and isn't the most straightforward, but he could well take advantage of a much lower hurdles mark to give a good showing. Jinsha Lake could go well if it's a strongly run race, having won over a similar trip at Towcester where it pays to have extra stamina.
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