Cork on Sunday
Captain Kangaroo 100/30 probably hasn’t shown the best of what he can do yet, but he was a good winner at Listowel when stepped up to three miles and that could be the making of him. He’s still lightly raced and ran very well in the County Hurdle (13:50).
Politesse 11/1 is in a competitive race, but she was good the last day and gets the mares’ allowance (14:25). She was fourth in a Grade 1 over hurdles and was wicked on her debut over fences at Punchestown.
Mister Fogpatches 11/2 has threatened to win a big staying handicap chase of some description and this could be the one. He was a good third in the Scottish Grand National and this looks easier.
Down Royal on Saturday
We’ve seen some good horses at this opening fixture at Down Royal already this weekend. Zanayihr won very well and might end up being a Champion Hurdle horse, but he’s one who could be seen at his best when he goes over further.
On Saturday at Down Royal, Ross runs Sea Sessions SP in the opening race (13:05), and I think she’ll take all of the beating. She was really good at Punchestow, only just getting beaten, and with the fillies’ allowance and Shane O’Callaghan’s 7lbs claim, she gets loads of weight and is the one to beat.
Mighty Potter SP won a bumper last season and went into plenty of notebooks. He makes his hurdle debut in the second race. He won’t be a massive price, but he could be very good (13:40).
The Champion Chase (14:50) is always a good race and this year is much the same. I do like Frodon 5/2 who I think will have it all his own way in front. Nobody will go tit-for-tat with him and Bryony, and they’ll be able to get into good rhythm from the front. Paul Nicholls’ horses are always fit at this time of year and Paul knows what it takes to win this race. I think Bryony will dictate the pace as they go around the dogleg turn and it’s about whether the others will be fit enough to catch them first time up.
Envoi Allen 1/3 should win (15:25). He’s the best horse in the race but he’s got it all to prove. Despite his odds-on price, he’s beat nothing over fences – which is no fault of his own – and this race will get him teed up for a proper challenge next time. I’m not sure if he’ll go up or down in trip, but he’s got to do it at the top level over fences this season.
American Mike SP has a lofty reputation and has already been touted as a Cheltenham Bumper horse, so if he’s spoken of in those terms, he should be wining the bumper (16:35). Gordon has won this race for the past six years, so he knows what it takes.
Wetherby on Saturday
It’ll be good to see Paisley Park 9/4 back on the racecourse. He’s been a great stayer over the past few years and, while his connections are mulling a season over fences, he’s still got ability in this sphere. I’m not sure if he’ll win, but I think it’ll be between him, Thomas Darby and the mare Indefatigable (14:30).
Cyrname 5/4 is the one to beat in the Charlie Hall Chase. He has been there and done it. He sluiced up in the race last year and this (15:05) has probably been his target since the spring. It’s a much tougher race this year, but this might be his Gold Cup.
Ascot on Saturday
I’m really looking forward to seeing Boothill 3/1. He was touted as a possible Supreme horse last year, but it never happened for him. He’s still got plenty to prove but is unexposed and could be one to keep on the right side of (14:10), especially as Harry Fry’s horses are flying.
In the same race, Megan 8/1 was going very well when tipping up at Chepstow last time. She’s got no weight and has that recent run under her belt. She could run into a place in the same race.
Editeur Du Gite 9/2 ended last season in grand form, winning two races including a good one at Aintree. Gary Moore has his horses in good nick and this race would have been a target for him. He finished second in the race last year, so they’ll want to go one better now (14:45).
Vinndication 11/4 started his season last year in the Charlie Hall Chase. This season he’s running in a handicap off top weight. He’s a big stamp of a horse, so he’ll be able to carry plenty of weight and could just be too good (15:20). He loves it around Ascot and that’s always a big plus.
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