The latest renewal of the Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon looks well above par and both Style De Garde (3.00) and Gumball are quoted at around 25-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham FestivalThe Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle at Huntingdon has a distinctly mixed recent record as a source of future excellence, as with the sole exception of Sceau Royal two years ago, this was as good as it ever got for the last seven winners. The latest renewal does look well above par on paper, however, and both Style De Garde (3.00) and Gumball are quoted at around 25-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Related: Toast Of New York fully on course for world’s...
There’s an 11-1 offering worth looking at in Catterick’s jumps showpiece, while there’s also Flat action from Leicester to MeydanIt is the biggest day of the jumping season at Catterick Bridge, as nine runners go to post to chase a first prize of £16,000 in the North Yorkshire Grand National, and while I Just Know and Sun Cloud are vying for favouritism, Gonalston Cloud (2.35) could prove to be a better bet at odds of around 11-1. Nick Kent’s gelding is unlikely to be getting any better at the age of 11, but he has been a tough and consistent chaser at his best in recent seasons and goes particularly well over extreme trips such as Catterick’s three miles and...
Trainer Colin Tizzard believes Thistlecrack will come back well from injury but he will be nearly 11 when he returns. Plus tips for the day’s racing actionColin Tizzard was inclined to play down the gravity of this week’s Thistlecrack news when I had a quick word with him at Taunton on Tuesday. The trainer talked down the extent of the horse’s injury and the significance of his consequent absence, which will keep him on the sidelines through the rest of this season. Related: Final twist in dead-heat fiasco leaves Robin Dickin feeling ‘robbed’ Ludlow 12.50 Zalvados 1.20 Shalakar 1.55 Megabucks 2.25 Virginia Chick 3.00 Tb Broke Her (nap) 3.35 Dahills Hill 4.05 Shee's Lucky Continue reading...
Trainer would welcome a better surface at Southwell but does not favour more fixtures for the Nottinghamshire trackMark Johnston has offered qualified support for a change of surface at Southwell, flagging up a significant concern he has with ARC’s plan for the track. “There’s a much bigger issue,” he told me yesterday. “The quotes from Arc have hinted they won’t be doing this without looking for more fixtures. Do we want more fixtures? Do we particularly want more all-weather fixtures? Related: Thistlecrack to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup after sustaining stress fracture Doncaster Continue reading...
Philip Hobbs could be a man to follow once more, following his Saturday hat-trick, but Tizzard, Skelton and Pauling have hit a flat spotWhat a pity to see that Cue Card will miss a planned run at Kempton this weekend, following the news that he has a foot infection that has kept him off games for the past few days. The horse would have injected a deal of interest into a quiet weekend by taking part in a Listed chase as part of trainer Colin Tizzard’s plan to find easier opportunities for him this winter. Related: Willie Mullins ponders direct journey to Cheltenham for Next Destination Related: James Bowen: ‘It’s amazing. From the age of eight, I knew I would...