Dodging Bullets (7-2) was one of five winners for us on Saturday but what a brave run by Sprinter Sacre in second. Post-race reports suggest that he will be able to try to regain his Champion Chaser crown at the Cheltenham Festival, despite bleeding from a nostril. Nicky Henderson will of course be guided by the very best veterinary advice but hopefully we will see a re-match in March.
The pick of Sunday’s action is over the water in Ireland with Boylesports sponsoring a couple of cracking handicaps. The Boylesports Handicap Chase has attracted a field of fifteen but Foxrock stands out after his fine run in the Paddy Power Chase.
Ted Walsh’s gelding was carrying 11st 7lb that day but looked like winning until headed on the run-in by Living Next Door. The winner was receiving nearly a stone so it was a gallant effort by Foxrock who looked like developing into a useful stayer last season. He disappointed slightly at the festival in the National Hunt Chase but his stamina could be the key to Sunday’s race.
Several of the market leaders have form over shorter distances and the heavy ground will make this seem more like an extended three miles. Foxrock finished third in his previous race despite losing both of his front shoes and he could be up to defying a 5lbs rise in the handicap.
The Boylesports Hurdle could go to leading Irish owner JP McManus who won the race last year with Gilgamboa. Finishing well in seventh that day was Henderson’s Snake Eyes and he is back for another tilt at the valuable prize.
The seven-year-old must have had his training problems as will be having only the seventh start on Sunday. He has always shown plenty of potential but has not proved the easiest horse to settle, twice having been turned over a long odds-on. Tony McCoy managed to nurse him home at Sandown last time off a mark of 123 and he must still be a contender off a 5lb higher mark. My main worry with him is that he does not look the easiest ride and has an awkward head carriage.
That just makes me lean towards another McManus runner, Waxies Dargle. He won at Fairyhouse in November for Noel Meade under a typically confident Paul Carberry ride, easing down to a walk in the closing stages. He was entitled to win that day but was value for much more than the two and a half lengths winning margin over Digeanta.
Foxrock 2.20 @6-1 Ladbrokes
Waxies Dargle 2.50 @10-1 Ladbrokes
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4
