Hello & welcome along to all my blog readers, this is the time of year that in truth I approach with caution as National Hunt racing is not my main focus of interest certainly not through the dreary weekdays when races are run on awful ground for minimal prize money with even less runners in some cases.
Some weekdays are an exception like Thursday's cracking action from Clonmel in Ireland but mostly its very average fair. Luckily this weekend we are presented with the first proper Jumps meeting of the season & a return to jumping's mecca or as most of us know it Cheltenham.
Friday is rather more subdued than the good quality action of Saturday & Sunday although I will say this ahead of Saturday's Big race it would appear to one of the weaker renewals that we have seen in recent years with no real standout Graded chaser in action.
The opening amateur riders event would not be a race that I would have any sort of strong view on so I will be leaving that to the experts.
A good quality 2m Handicap Chase is the 2nd race on the card with plenty of familiar names in the lineup;
The unexposed Karinga Dancer heads the field after a comfortable handicap win back in May for his young trainer, he has been long held in high regard & starts the season almost on a par with his hurdles mark. So far in his career he has shown all his best form on good or faster so anymore rain would be a concern.
Next Sensation improved dramatically over last season with bold jumping displays from the front, his reappearance was a damp squib he led for 2 fences before making a hash of the 3rd & dropped away thereafter.
Fair Dilemma has been in good form throughout the summer but this is a different kettle of fish & the ground would be a worry.
Oiseau De Nuit has been a grand servant to connections over the years, he is on a favourable mark after falling first time out at the last meeting.
Anquetta has been kept busy over the summer & returns to Cheltenham for another track at a course that appears not to have suited him that well over the years.
Astracad is a consistent horse however he usually finds one or two too good for him in these top races & a similar story awaits here despite a slipping mark.
Shangani is a huge animal & a confirmed soft ground lover, he is on a decent mark & with his stable going great guns at present he is well worth a 2nd look.
Festive Affair is a lightly raced horse who was well fancied at the Cheltenham Festival only to disappoint, he is the type to have improved again over the summer & starts the season on a mark that he looks capable of exploiting.
Sew On Target has been beaten a grand total of 134 lengths on his last 3 starts so he cannot be fancied despite finishing 2nd in this last year.
De Faoithesdream has had two runs already this season winning at Ffos Las & setting a strong pace when finishing 2nd at Fakenham last time both starts were over hurdles.
Anay Turge had a decent season last time around winning this race of a few pounds lower, his last few starts though have been shocking although a return to Cheltenham revive.
Last Shot starts his season just looking to return to some kind of form after two poor runs at the end of last season.
Ut Major Aulmes needs to step up on what he has shown so far but that is possible after just the 3 Chase starts. Bold Henry was well regarded in his younger days but has been seen just the once in nearly 2 years when running well down the field at Aintree in the spring, on a very fair mark & could easily go well returned to fences here.
Rio De Sivola was steadily progressive in soft ground Novice races last season & starts the season on a mark that he should be capable of winning races from it just depends whether he is up to this class of race. Monetaire makes his debut for David Pipe having been pulled up on his last two starts in France, his French form overall is far from inspiring so for me is best watched. Hollow Blue Sky has progressed from a lowly level but was beaten far enough last time out to give him plenty to do here.
Robin's Command has improved throughout the summer winning 6 races from 9 starts, versatile as regards ground he should not be underestimated from a lightweight in this better company. Owen Na View was well beaten in a useful race at Warwick a week ago & faces an uphill task here. Going Concern was beaten a long way over hurdles last time after two wins in Novice events, if he's over whatever prevented him running to his best last time he has a small each way chance.
Festive Affair (UNPLACED) is a horse who I believe has plenty more improvement to come & he will do in this.
A good quality field for the 2m4f Novice chase has been assembled which sees the chasing debuts of Dell' Arca & Champagne West;
The field is headed by Bullet Street who won a Novice Handicap last time out, his overall form is well below the best of these here & will be hoping that his better fancied rivals make a mistake here especially giving them weight.
Splash Of Ginge has already had two chase starts at Perth finishing 3rd to Ainsi Fideles when looking laboured on debut before reversing that form in a three runner affair next time, more needed here giving weight away.
Champagne West is a lovely old fashioned chaser who hit form over hurdles in the middle part of the season rattling up a hat trick before running a blinder in Grade 1 company at the Festival, as a maiden point winner he is sure to go well.
Colour Squadron is still a Novice over fences after a string of fantastic runs in good quality handicaps, connections clearly keen to get a win under his belt but faces some tough opposition once more.
Dell' Arca last year's Greatwood winner continued to run a string on good races afterwards in good quality handicaps, as a French bred he is sure to know his job & may just have a bit more pace than a couple of his rivals.
The Wexfordian has yet to win in 3 starts including a point 2nd this time last year, this is tough race to be making your debut in but it will be interesting to see how goes with an eye to the future.
Urban Hymn is a horse I & many others grew to like last year, a big strapping lad who a fine season over the smaller obstacles, his chase debut was excellent apart from getting caught on the line by the very decent Duke Of Navan over a trip clearly short of his best, stepping up 4f here will suit & he must go well with that run behind him.
A race full of interest for the season ahead.
A decent Graded Novice Hurdle is up next featuring runaway Persian War winner Blacklion who is unbeaten in his 4 starts in this country, a bold jumper who takes plenty of chances at his hurdles he was a joy to watch at Chepstow & will take all the beating once more here if he can shrug off the penalty for that win.
Fruits Of Molly was pulled up quickly last time out after previously having easily won a Tipperary maiden hurdle, plenty on in this grade.
Minella Present is strong son on Presenting who has won two hurdles at Uttoxeter in impressive fashion, worth a try in this grade & should not be underestimated. Parlour Games was easily outpointed at Kempton last time in a Listed Novice event, the step up to 2m4f did not look the key on his last run as he just looked very laboured. Upsanddowns has won his last two races in noncompetitive events, could easily be up to this grade but could easily be flying to high.
Champagne Present was only just denied on his hurdling debut after travelling through the race like a horse with plenty of ability, that was following a hugely impressive win by 10 lengths in a point.
Port Melon has only been seen twice over hurdles since his big money transfer to the Nicholls yard, he ran encouragingly in this race last year when 3rd, he missed a few engagements in between but was not seen again until the Festival when giving Daryl Jacob a horrible fall on the way to post as he careered into the public in the Best Mate enclosure. He was clearly not over that when well beaten in a Grade 1 at Aintree afterwards. Still has huge potential & if he is ready to roll he has a big chance at these weights.
Price dependent may have another go on Port Melon.
I am not a fan of Cross Country racing at all so have little desire to mention it.
The last race on the card is most interesting featuring some potentially nice young horses; weights are headed by Knight Of Noir who after looking an unlucky faller at Wincanton last season he went on to win his next two starts, he was hugely disappointing upped to Graded company on his last start. Has plenty on with top weight here but is a likeable type. Volcanic has so far throughout his career shown a liking for the summer months in this country & was pulled up on his last starts a few weeks ago. River Deep has shown progressive form in Novice hurdles on his last two starts, has earned a pretty high mark & may just have plenty on.
Rolling Maud has shown useful form but this is a much better race than he is used to.
Cup Final a regally bred son of Presenting out of the classy Asian Maze has yet to win in four starts but of those four starts two have been behind the classy Irving & the last of them was a 10th place behind Faugheen at Cheltenham, this is much easier company & it will be disappointing if he cannot go very close here.
Cassells Rock has been keeping good handicap company throughout the summer & is respected from his shrewd trainer. Commitment has made hay over the summer with 3 wins, on pedigree softer ground should be fine & he has to be respected given his current well being. Here's Herbie was in excellent form like so many from his stable during the spring but will likely need this after a break.
Rally has not been seen since finishing down the field at Ffos Las late last year after finishing last in the preceding Graded Hurdle at this meeting, he has clearly had a problem in between but resumes here from a decent mark & a good run would not be a surprise. Go West Young Man was quite unlucky last time when short of room at Stratford before carried across to the right on the line, will need to improve again here in this better company but thats not impossible.
Buster Dan Dan has progressed quickly over hurdles on his 2nd attempt at them after being sent back to the pointing field for a few starts, he is now racing off 120 in this country after bolting up on his last start & will need to improve again.
Morito Du Berlais was dropped into an amateur riders Novice Hurdle at Exeter last time after a series of disastrous runs, he put up a much improved display to run out a ready winner, more needed again here but now he has got his head in front more progression could easily be forthcoming.
Cloudy Beach improved after finishing well behind River Deep in May to win a maiden at Fontwell by a neck on his next start, stable in good form ahead of his return so has chances from the lightest weight of all.
Like a couple in this so will leave it alone as a betting medium & use it for future punting purposes.
@fttfracing
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