Sunday
The Troytown Chase (14:30) is the big race of the day at Navan on Sunday and there are two that I like the look of.
CHRIS’S DREAM 13/2 for Henry De Bromhead looks sure to go well, with his horses flying at the moment. He’ll absolutely love the ground and is twice a winner at Navan. I don’t think his mark of 146 is beyond him and he should be competitive.
The other one I like isn’t an original pick, but DISCORAMA 7/1 is a very nice horse who’s been placed at Cheltenham Festivals. He’s got top weight but is a big horse and should carry it well. He should run into a place, at the very least.
Ross O’Sullivan has an intriguing runner in the handicap hurdle (13:30) in the shape of STATE OF COGNAC 11/1. He’s been off for a while, but this son of Fame and Glory has been showing us some very encouraging signs in his homework lately and, if he transfers that to the racecourse, he can run a huge race.
Saturday
We are being incredibly spoilt this weekend with some fantastic battles over in the UK, the highlight being the big clash at Ascot (14:05).
We’ve waited to see the clash between ALTIOR 4/6 and Cyrname for months.
Cyrname has home advantage, being at Ascot over a trip he is proven at. For Altior, this is a new test completely. However, I really don’t think that will phase him as he’s a much superior horse.
Apart from Kauto Star, Altior is the best horse I’ve seen in my lifetime, and I just can’t see him being beaten. He looks as though he’ll get the trip as he always keeps a bit for himself. I can’t wait to see him back in action.
The big race at Haydock (15:00) is another clash of the titans between Bristol De Mai and LOSTINTRANSLATION 6/4. While Bristol De Mai has been here and done it, I love Lostintranslation and think he’ll take some stopping.
Robbie ‘Puppy’ Power waxed lyrical about him after his last run at Carlisle and thinks he’s well up to this. With the Colin Tizzard yard firing on all cylinders, I think he’s going to be really tough to beat, and hope he delivers in impressive fashion.
While it’s not the feature race on the card, the big race for me at Gowran Park on Saturday is the Beginners Chase (14:45).
Minella Indo is going to be a proper stayer in time, so I can’t see him getting too close to LAURINA SP.
I’m mad keen on her. I remember riding her at home before she’d ever seen a racecourse and she was a big stamp of a horse who looked like a chaser even then.
She’s really going to be in her element over fences and has a fantastic blend of speed and stamina. It’s going to be exciting to see how far she can go.
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