Warwick
Paul Webber has had some good horses down the years, but Indefatigable 4/5 (13:00) must be the best in his current yard and she’s going to be very tough to beat. I’ve seen plenty of talk about her going for either the Mares or the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in little over a month, so she’d have to be winning this to be considered at the festival next month.
It’s a battle of the best of the British two-mile novices in the Kingmaker. Edwardstone 10/11 (14:05) has been pretty good over fences this season and rates the best of the English horses in this division. Third Time Lucki has also been good but only ran two weeks ago and earlier in the season, his trainer said he was better fresh. It’ll be a good race, either way it turns out.
Looking at his previous mark, I didn’t expect Riders Onthe Storm 12/1 (15:15) to be rated 145. He was once rated in the 160s and is a Grade 1 winner. Things obviously haven’t been right with him as he hasn’t shown his best form for a while, but he was a good second at Aintree in December. On a going day, he’s the best horse in this race.
If you knew Jacamar 8/1 would jump better than he did at Cheltenham last time, you’d like the look of him, too. He travelled well in the race but didn’t give himself a chance with his jumping.
Newbury
You’ve got to tip your hat to Paul Nicholls for running Bravemansgame 8/11 (13:15) in a handicap off top weight. It’s the right race for the horse and it’s the ideal prep for Cheltenham, in terms of place in the calendar and conditions. He’s giving weight away to good horses, but it used to happen all of the time, so it’s good to see it happen again.
Paul Nicholls could have a double on the card as Clan Des Obeaux 11/10 (14:25) is the one to beat in the Denman Chase. He won’t be going to Cheltenham next month, so this would have been his target since the King George. After this, the Betway Bowl at Aintree is likely to be next on his agenda.
With the ground the way it is, Sceau Royal 2/1 (15:00) is they’ve all got to beat in the Game Spirit Chase. If it was softer, you’d think Hitman getting the weight would have a chance, but Alan King’s horse will love the conditions. He was disappointing in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, but he’d had plenty of runs before that and may have just needed to be freshened up. He won the race last year and I can see his name on the trophy again.
It’s hard to crab what Glory And Fortune 16/1 (15:35) has done this season. He didn’t stay 2m4f on his penultimate start but prior to that had done very well and was a good second to Epatante in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. There are loads at the head of the market who are still improving and unexposed, but this one has experience and I like that in a big handicap.