All of our selections ran well on Friday but only Oscar Whisky emerged as a winner. Full credit to Wonderful Charm for putting up a game effort trying to concede 8lbs. Both horses look to have a bright future over fences.
I must admit to being surprised by Monbeg Dude coming to beat Theatre Guide. I had mistakenly believed that he really needed soft ground to be at his best but clearly he can cope with anything in this grade. I don’t think that I will be rushing to back him at 20-1 for the Grand National though as he is a bit on the small side and could find it difficult to lay up on the first circuit.
Not that size is everything at Aintree as old Sunnyhillboy reminded us when winning the staying hurdle under AP McCoy. He was so unlucky to be pipped by Neptune Collonges a couple of years ago but was well beaten when departing at the last this time around.
There is a disappointing turnout for the supporting card at Cheltenham on Saturday with The New One having only Zarkandar as a realistic opponent in the International Hurdle and a miserable turnout of just four for the Relkeel Hurdle. I’d have to question the race planners on having Grade 2 two-mile and two and a half-mile hurdle races on the same card. You could easily merge the fields to make one decent race!
Johns Spirit and Colour Squadron were my choices for the December Gold Cup earlier in the week and I still cannot split them. I can’t help feeling that Easter Meteor is over-priced at 16-1 so am going to have a little each-way on him too.
There are more interesting betting races over at Doncaster and I’m going to have a flutter on Ted Spread at 12-1. He won the Chester Vase in 2010 before beating only one home in the Epsom Derby. Clearly he showed Paul Nicholls something at home as he was heavily backed for races like the County Hurdle and Imperial Cup but failed to deliver the goods.
He is now with Suzy Smith and this might be the time to catch him. It wouldn’t be the first time a horse has been transformed by a change of stables.
I also like the look of Bear’s Affair in the handicap chase for Nicky Henderson. The Lambourn maestro is sending a strong team up north including Triumph hope Royal Irish Hussar and I wouldn’t be surprised if he bagged a few winners. Bear’s Affair has come up against Le Bec and Wonderful Charm, arguably two of the best staying novices seen so far this season. He won at Kempton last time and is only up 4lbs for this.
*Ante-post Colour Squadron 6-1
*Ante-post Johns Spirit 13-2
(each-way) Easter Meteor at 16-1 BetBright
Ted Spread 12-1 Bet365
Bear’s Affair 4-1 William Hill
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
