For all Cue Card’s achievements, he might be usurped as King George favourite by his upstart stablemate.I wonder if Thistlecrack is on his way to starting the King George VI Chase as favourite. I’d never have thought it would happen but the momentum in the betting market appears to be with him. Continue reading...
The trainer has revealed Thistlecrack runs in the King George and might mark the occasion with a winnerSetting aside issues relating to the King George (Thistlecrack runs!), Colin Tizzard has another reason to think of this as a big day. Finian’s Oscar (1.05) makes his debut for the Dorset trainer in a novice hurdle at Hereford, having been bought for £250,000 at auction last month. Continue reading...
Lough Derg Spirit (1.55) will be very difficult to beat at Ascot if he can reproduce the form of his debut success over hurdles at KemptonAn unusually competitive renewal of the Sky Bet Supreme Trial is the centrepiece of the card at Ascot on Friday, with five of the six runners priced up as serious contenders, but Lough Derg Spirit (1.55) will be very difficult to pass if he can produce the form, and in particular the fluent hurdling, of his debut success over hurdles at Kempton last month.It is rare to see a horse take to hurdling as immediately and naturally as Lough Derg Spirit, who took over in front at the second flight at Kempton and did not...
The weight Le Prezien (2.00) gets from L’Ami Serge can tip the scales in his favour in a fascinating small-field race at ExeterThree-runner contests do not generally set the punters’ pulses racing, but the graduation chase at Exeter on Thursday could be an exception as it pits the very useful L’Ami Serge, third home in the JLT Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, against Le Prezien, who took the Grade Two novice at Cheltenham’s Open meeting on his second start over fences.Oscar Sunset, who was rated 142 for his chasing debut back in February, is also in the field but only the most devoted followers of the “outsider of three” system will waste what little cash they have...
Beware The Bear might get Nicky Henderson a victory at his local track, NewburyThanks to Newbury, and indeed Musselburgh, this is one of those rare midweek days with good-quality jump racing. And, as ever with Newbury, one is obliged to pay close attention to the runners of Mr N J Henderson, who is based half an hour up the road at Lambourn and seems to love having winners at his local track. Continue reading...