With the National Hunt Festival less than a fortnight away and having visited several yards and watched important work and schooling here are some ante post advices for the big meeting.
JPR ONE (Each Way 33-1) RYANAIR CHASE
The Thursday feature promises to lose a lot of horses currently quoted in the betting but JPR ONE is firmly on course for the race following his deserving win at Musselburgh. The nine-year-old dominated that handicap through the final mile, and although he’s been found wanting in Graded races he numbers a Haldon Cup success on his CV and was attempting the impossible when trying to give DAVID’S WELL 25lbs in a Class2 handicap at Cheltenham before Christmas. He likes to race on or close to the pace, which might be the best place to be in this renewal.
DAVID’S WELL (Each Way 12-1) GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP
The previous day’s big handicap chase can see DAVID’S WELL boosting the claims of JPR ONE for trainer Chris Gordon. When landing that Cheltenham race the seven-year-old was paying a first visit to Prestbury Park, and he took to the terrain like a duck to water. It was just a fourth outing over fences and kept intact his unbeaten record as a chaser.all his winning form has happened on left handed tracks, he’s raced only nine times in his life and appears to have gone under the radar. The 12-1 might well be shorter on the day.
C’EST DIFFERENT (Each Way 8-1) PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE FINAL
Sam Thomas has often done my column a favour and the first of two Festival advices from his bang in form stable is the rapidly improving C’EST DIFFERENT.
Although his appearances have been infrequent, it’s hard to knock his record of four straight successes including a very taking delivery at Newbury last month. It’s clear that he’s massively on the upgrade, and if my news is anywhere near the mark there should be more to come.
STEEL ALLY (Each Way 16-1) ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
Quoted at 16-1, STEEL ALLY appeals as serious value as he tries to hunt down a fourth chase success on the bounce and to remain unbeaten over fences. His jumping in victories at Carlisle, Ascot and Warwick have been a joy to watch, the last two at Class1 level, and he adapted to being waited with before his wide margin triumph in the Kingmaker at Warwick. Thomas is quietly confident his charge can get into the shake-up in the Tuesday race.
