A few reverses yesterday (none more so than Winston Junior in the Fred Winter....) but old Johnnywho made sure it was a winning Tuesday. We head into Wednesday full of optimism!
13:20, Turners Novices' Hurdle
Ballyfad 10/1, 1.5pts each-way (4 places)
This is one of the best renewals of the Turners that I can remember. It is unheard of to get 22 runners. No Drama This End has looked impressive on all 3 starts since sent hurdling by Paul Nicholls and this strapping chasing sort has been kept fresh since taking the Challow at Newbury in December where he did it well despite having to make the running. This big field scenario will suit him better and he looked to enjoy the course when winning here earlier in the season. He should take plenty of beating but it's reflected in his price now. Act Of Innocence looked good when winning at Huntingdon and is respected for all he lacks a bit of star potential whilst Boss Man Jack is an unknown quantity for the Skelton's now pitched into the deep end after winning lower level races very easily. I'll Sort That and Skylight Hussle must be mentioned for Irish connections but Willie Mullins has a strong hand in this and will be feared by the British. Sober won at Royal Ascot last year and got the job done over hurdles on his sole run since. This race could set up well for him and he must have a big chance for all he lacks a bit of experience over obstacles. King Rasko Grey is the choice of Paul Townend and he looks talented but it is the horse who just finished in front of him the last day who could be the answer, Ballyfad. Gordon Elliott's 5 year old won 2 bumpers and a maiden hurdle at the back end of last year in increasingly impressive style. He then went and finished 2nd in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month (just fending off King Rasko Grey) being chinned by Talk The Talk on the line. He had to do all the donkey work himself that day and he looked like one who'll relish a stiffer test. He's a 3 mile point winner and his trainer knows what it takes to win this race having done so with Samcro for the same owners.
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14:00, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
Romeo Coolio 5/2, 3pts win
Just as the first race is super competitive, so is the Browns this year. This is the biggest field (16) since Denman won in 2007. Wendigo will have his supporters and looks the best of British. A stiff test round this track will suit but I have a feeling the Irish have the upper hand in this. Willie Mullins is again mob handed and his team is headed up by one time short priced favourite, Final Demand. He's a Grade 1 winner over hurdles who looks every inch a chaser but he ran very poorly the last day when put in his place by Kaid D'authie and he's now difficult to trust. Kaid D'authie himself must have a big chance in this for all the ground is a slight concern. He looks a strong stayer though. Kistbuhel shouldn't be dismissed, he could lead these a merry dance round here but it's debateable if he will see it out whilst Oscars Brother is respected at a big price for a small outfit trainer. It could be that Romeo Coolio outclasses his opposition however. A once time Arkle fancy, connections now try 3 miles for the first time in the hottest pot they could find. He defeated the Arkle winner last time out (battled on well) in the Irish version but has looked a stayer on all of his runs and it's worth remembering how he romped home over 2 and a half miles over Christmas. He powered through the line that day and the forecast ground will aid him in this first go at the trip. He's the class horse in the race and that usually tells during this week.
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14:40, BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle
Kopek De Mee 7/1, 2pts win
Kateira 8/1, 2pts win
The Cup is one of the hardest punting races of the week and this year looks no different. Storm Heart is the class horse here and he is unbeaten this season and could defy his lofty mark. Jinko Blue and Iberico Lord are horses with lots of back class both representing Nicky Henderson who knows how to win this race whilst Puturhandstogether has Festival winning form and is respected now stepping up in trip. Dan Skelton has already won a handicap this week and it has been well documented that Kateira has been backed for this in recent weeks. She's a previous winner at Aintree's Grand National meeting and looked classy a couple of years ago. It's not been plain sailing since but she's back on a fair mark now and the suspicion is we're in for a big run. Although Willie Mullins has the favourite in Storm Heart, it's another one from Closutton who could take this. Kopek De Mee is a young horse who was fancied for last year's meeting but ran poorly. He bounced back to form to run a huge race in 2nd at Aintree in the Spring and has only been sighted once since (a poor chasing debut). He will be super fresh for this now and is open to any amount of improvement.
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15:20, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Final Orders 11/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)
The Cross Country splits opinion but it's more of a punting race now it's a handicap. Gordon Elliott's Favori De Champdou deserves to be favourite after bolting up here the last day but the ground will be better here and he's gone up in the weights. Stumptown is respected looking for back to back wins but must lump a lot of weight away whilst Desertmore House has been tipped up by many. Final Orders has won over the track before and wasn't disgraced in behind the favourite the last day as he was bang there turning in before tiring in the ground. The better surface here will aid him and he's now a lot better off with Favori de Champdou at the weights.
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16:00, BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase
L'eau Du Sud 5/1, 2pts each-way (3 places)
This isn't the strongest renewal of the Champion Chase and it's fair that Majborough is a short price. He was turned over at this meeting last year and it can't be guaranteed that he will jump as well as the last day again. He's worth taking on at the prices. Il Etait Temps swept all before him since last April before putting in a laboured effort in the Clarence House last time out. He's respected if bouncing back but has a poor Cheltenham record. Instead, it may be worth chancing L'eau Du Sud one last time. Dan Skelton's grey hacked up here in November before putting in a poor run in the Tingle Creek. Connections think he has to be fresh, and he will be that here having not run since December. It's a week race this year and if the favourite underperforms in any way then L'eau Du Sud could be there to pick up the pieces.
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16:40, Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase
Be Aware 9/2, 2pts win
Addragoogle 18/1, 1.25pts each-way (5 places)
Another open handicap with plenty holding chances. Vanderpoel must be respected in search of the hattrick whilst Jazzy Matty won this last year and has been aimed at a repeat ever since. Inthepocket must have a chance on his classy backform and Ballysax Hank could ghost into this if granted a decent pace. His stablemate Addragoogle is interesting at a price. Only a 7 year old, Gavin Crowmwell's horse was given some interesting course experience here in October after doing well on his first few chasing starts. He just ran OK that day but a small field affair wouldn't have suited and it was a classy race. He's since won a big field handicap on Boxing Day and ran well in another at Leopardstown last time out where he looked as though he had a bigger effort in him. He's respected for shrewd connections. This could all be elementary however as Be Aware could really enjoy this set up. He's been butting heads against some good horses since sent chasing and been trying to lead all the way in most of them. He finished 2nd in a Greatwood last season and now taking a lead, he could really go well here and take a lot of beating.
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17:20, Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Keep Him Company 13/2, 1.5pts win
The Irish Avatar 10.1, 1pt win
An open Bumper this year but Keep Him Company has plenty of form to his name and should go well here whilst The Irish Avatar has only raced once under rules but won with any amount in hand.
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