There is plenty of racing in the UK for punters on Wednesday with jump meetings at Newbury and Newcastle and all-weather action at Lingfield and Kempton.
Both Newbury and Newcastle must pass early morning inspections but are expected to go ahead. That does at least tell us to expect very testing conditions which may be partly responsible for a disappointing turnout for Newbury’s 1.45 race.
I have been a fan of Far West over the past couple of seasons following his exciting juvenile campaign which ended in defeat in the Triumph Hurdle. He laboured under a stiff handicap mark last season as a result and is gradually getting the hang of things over fences. He looked to be in trouble here at the last meeting, losing ground at most of the fences before rallying on the flat. In the end, his flat speed proved too much for Seventh Sky.
Tomorrow he faces a really progressive chaser in Top Gamble, trained by Richard Lee. Strangely for a horse that fell in his last two races over hurdles, the gelding jumps like a stag and has been very impressive at Wetherby and Warwick. If Jamie Moore is positive on him from the start, I can see Far West struggling to keep in touch. Nicky Henderson should chalk up another couple of winners in the novice events but the odds are likely to be prohibitive.
John Gosden sends a couple to Lingfield and should be on the mark with Nancy Astor at 2.25. She ran a couple of nice races here, notably when chasing home stable companion Falling Petals last month. She is entered in a couple of Tattersalls sales races at Newmarket in April so will need to win a race like this if she is to follow that route.
You don’t get too many horses rated in the 100’s on the all-weather at this time of year but Godolphin send Hawkesbury to Kempton for a Conditions race at 6.40. The grey son of Shamardal looked pretty smart when winning by seven lengths at Doncaster in June but was beaten on both of his last two starts.
He hung badly at Newbury behind Belardo and pulled hard before weakening at Newmarket. He is clearly very talented but his ungainly style of racing is a concern. Even so, he should outclass his three opponents before connections map out a plan for the season.
My only other bet on the Kempton card is Thomas Blossom in the 5.40. He laughed at his rivals last time out and it is no surprise that Patrick Charmings has decided to run him quickly under a 6lbs penalty. David Probert should be able to settle him in this big field and come with a late run.
Top Gamble 1.45 Newbury @7-4 Paddy Power
Nancy Astor 2.25 Lingfield
Thomas Blossom 5.40 Kempton @11-10 Paddy Power
Hawkesbury 6.40 @4-5 Betfair
