We had a great weekend with Shotgun Paddy (9-1), Saphir Du Rheu (6-1) and Deputy Dan (11-4) all doing the business. All three look to have a great future, although it was slightly worrying to hear that Deputy Dan had sustained a nasty gash during the race at Warwick. Hopefully he will be fine and can run a big race in one of the novice events at the Cheltenham festival in March.
Shotgun Paddy confirmed his trainer’s belief that he needed a trip to bring out the best in him and the four-mile National Hunt Chase is a likely target for him. The Grand National has been touted as a long-term objective but I’d have thought that can wait for another season. His jumping can be low and flat which is not ideal for Aintree. Given his ability to handle heavy ground, I’d keep him in mind for the Welsh National in December.
The weather continues to play havoc with the fixture list and a soggy Exeter keeps the show on the road on Tuesday. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the stables in and out of form with Cheltenham creeping ever closer and Venetia Williams has her string firing on all cylinders. She won four races in row at Plumpton recently and bagged another double at the Sussex course on Monday.
She and Aidan Coleman also teamed up with a nice priced double at Warwick on Saturday and Dungeness turns out quickly under a 7lbs penalty. He was always travelling well at the front at the weekend and responded well when challenged to finish well on top at the line. Tomorrow’s race is over a further half mile and he must now shoulder top weight.
There are a couple of other horses to note in the race in Catcher Star and Residence And Spa. Both improved enormously last time out, Catcher Star overcoming a last flight blunder to beat subsequent winner Getabuzz and Residence And Spa staying on strongly over three miles at Taunton. Both will be hoping for proper gallop but I’m hoping Dungeness has further improvement in him.
The Veterans Handicap Chase looks like an ideal opportunity for Nick Gifford’s Tullamore Dew to win his first race since 2011. The chestnut was a creditable second in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby last time and comfortably holds Junior on that form. The rest of the field look moderate, although I’m a little wary of the Williams runner Ballyoliver with just 10st 4lb to carry.
Tullamore Dew at 9-2 Coral
Dungeness at 7-2 Bet365
