The Paul Nicholls runner was eight lengths behind Waiting Patiently at this track last time out and the winner gave the form a huge boost last weekendActing Lass offers a fascinating puzzle for punters in the Betdaq Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday, as Harry Fry’s novice has won all three of his starts over fences this season and is up just 6lb for his latest success at Ascot.He has plenty of scope for further improvement and will tempt many in at around 9-2. The big field is a very different test after beating a total of 14 horses in three races, however, and there is much more depth here than Acting Lass has faced to date. Related: Blaklion’s Aintree...
The Gloucestershire trainer may not fancy his chance of a Festival success this year but he’s got plenty of contendersHere’s a quick canter through some of the Cheltenham Festival targets for Nigel Twiston-Davies horses, for which there was no room in this morning’s news piece. The New One, of course, joins Wholestone in the Stayers and the trainer has removed the temptation to switch back into yet another Champion Hurdle with the horse by taking him out of the entries. Related: Blaklion’s Aintree chances unharmed by defeat, says Nigel Twiston-Davies Warwick 1.50 Indian Hawk 2.25 Zamalight 3.00 Blameitalonmyroots 3.30 Knockgraffon (nap) 4.05 Asking Questions 4.40 Fly Home Harry 5.10 Be That As It May Continue reading...
The trainer was in a bullish mood when he discussed his horses’ chances at next month’s meeting on WednesdayStoicism is a useful – perhaps essential – trait for any racehorse trainer, but few carry it off quite as well as Colin Tizzard, who opened his yard on Wednesday morning for his annual pre-Cheltenham Festival media day. Tizzard drew a blank from 21 runners at last year’s meeting and returned home empty-handed in 2014 and 2015 too, but was fairly convincing when he said that he does not feel any extra pressure ahead of this year’s meeting. Related: Robbie Power set to be first jockey for Alan Potts’s Cheltenham runners Sedgefield 1.40 Aaron Lad 2.10 Steps And Stairs 2.45 Bal De Rio 3.20 Kilronan...
Nothing has gone right for the novice chaser, who could be overpriced at 16-1 for Cheltenham’s Arkle TrophyBrain Power was one of the names I had rattling around in my head after yesterday’s media morning at Nicky Henderson’s yard. It has become a disappointing season for the zippy seven-year-old, who hasn’t finished a race with his jockey aboard since November, and he’s 16-1 for the Arkle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, but his trainer is keeping the faith. Related: Nicky Henderson hopes Buveur D’Air can get Kempton workout Doncaster Continue reading...
We can’t see past Cyclop for the Surrey National at Lingfield, where the 13-2 shot gives Aidan Coleman a fine chanceCyclop – a horse with two eyes, despite his name – is on a National trail again. Not the Aintree one, but Monday’s Surrey National at Lingfield. David Dennis’s seven-year-old was a specialist at this pursuit in 2017, winning the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, after finishing second in the Southern National at Fontwell in November, second in the Cambridgeshire National at Huntingdon in March, and second in the Somerset National at Wincanton in January. Related: Odds fixed against novice bettors at racecourses, claims bookmaker Fergal O’Brien 45% (11) Sue Smith 40% (10) Dr Richard Newland 38% (8) Emma Lavelle 30%...