The Lancashire Chase, following on from Cheltenham trials weekend is a great way to keep the National Hunt momentum on the boil and what a mouth-watering contest this one is. Coneygree versus Cue Card is how the bookies mark it up but there is no shortage of Grade 1 quality in this field. It should be a cracker. There is plenty of other high class jumping both over flights and fences today.
1:50 HAYDOCK Hurdle Cl2 2m45y
This is interesting race, despite the fact there are only 6 runners. We think you can put a line through Melodic Rendezvous. So brave but at 10 not getting any better and the chasing career didn’t work out. If it goes to heavy his odds will shorten. Reluctant to do so but we will do the same with Irving. A brilliant horse some time ago but tragically finds a way of messing up. When he won here last year he looked very good. My Tent or Yours brings sold Champion Hurdle form with a brace of 2nds in the Champion hurdle and he is capable of being ready first time out. Old Guard is another who has tasted victory on the big stage and goes well fresh and at 5 years of age you could argue the best is yet to come. Ch’Tibello is on an upward curve but needs to produce a career best to win. We will take a chance with youth and of course Paul Nicholls against the Henderson hot pot.
2 units e/w Old Guard
2:05 ASCOT Stella Artois 1965 Chase (Grade 2) Cl1 2m5f8y
This trip might stretch a few but there is no doubting there is some ability here. Gods Own has been in cracking form with two really strong runs. This is his time of year and whilst he does get this trip it may not be when he is at his best. Third Intention looked brilliant when pipping Gods Own at Aintree and Colin Tizzards stable are flying. Vibrato Valtat might have a really big year and he will be spot on after finishing in behind Third Intention in his season opener. That brings us nicely to Dodging Bullets who again has the staying question to answer but the slower paced jumping will help. He is the one we feel strongest about and whilst this is a new tactic by his trainer it feels right and looks some value.
1 unit e/w Dodging Bullets
2:25 HAYDOCK Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) Cl1 2m6f177y
They may only be hurdles but these fixed brush flights take some jumping and fluency really helps. Our interest lies with the upwardly progressive and almost unbeaten Unowhatimeanharry for Harry Fry. He triumphed at Cheltenham over 3 miles and looks a possible star. Yala Enki for Venetia Williams who at his best has a good chance, Caid Du Berlias who was impressive at Aintree when winning, Two Taffs who has to improve but again looks the type, Ballybolley who swops fences for fixed brush and has loads of ability and Kruzhlinin who looked in need of the run when beaten by Caid Du Berlais but might now be spot on. It’s a very good race.
1 unit e/w Ballybolley | 1 unit e/w Two Taffs
2:40 ASCOT The Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) Cl1 2m3f58y
The brave Lil Rockerfeller will give them something to aim at but might just not be good enough again of which the same could be said for Court Minstrel but his recent 2nd was his best for some time. Yanworth is expected to win. With good ground or slower being no problem and the trip ideal he will take the beating. Garde La Victoire reverts to hurdling and could go well and finally Zarkandar, who tipped up at Aintree when going well. Its Yarnworth’s to lose
3 units win Yarnworth
3:00 HAYDOCK The Lancashire Chase (Grade 1) Cl1 3m24y
Just the seven go to post but a strong contingent. The Seeyouatmidnight camp will be hoping the rain materialises as their charge will definitely enjoy heavy ground. Menorah is such a credit to his yard and should the principles not fire he will be there to pick up the pieces. Silviniaco Conti had a hard race last weekend at Down Royal and was soundly beaten admittedley by a very good horse but he may not quite be the horse he was. Very few are after a run in the national. He is still the most talented of jumpers. Irish Cavalier was terrific when beating Menorah at Wetherby and isn’t that far off the mark but the big two and the mouth watering clash is Coneygree versus Cue Card. Neither will mind the ground, the question is – who is the best. Coneygree is having his first run since his problem this time last year and Cue Card seemed to need his run when beaten in to third at Wetherby. It’s possible Paddy Brennan would ride that race differently if he had the chance again. It’s the mighty Cue Card for us on this occasion – it might not be when we get to March next year!!
3 units win Cue Card
3:15 ASCOT Shawbrook Handicap Chase Cl2 2m192y
At his best Sire De Grugy is too good for these but he hasn’t been at his best since December last year. He looked laboured, as he sometimes does, at Aintree. Vaniteux doesn’t run many bad races and might be the most consistent. Solar Impulse was great at Cheltenham and improved a bit after that but not a huge amount. The only one outside these three that is interesting is Cold March. He gets a stone from the Sire and his best run was at Ascot over this trip. He is only 6 and much is expected of him.
2 units e/w Cold March
3:35 HAYDOCK Better Value Handicap Chase Cl2 3m24y
Tom Symonds Kaki De La Pree can handle any ground and this trip suits well. He has taken some decent scalps and rarely runs badly although the stable is a bit quiet at the moment and that tempers enthusiasm. Sue Smith’s, De Vous A Moi is progressive and she has her string looking good. He could win first time out. It’s out of these two and we will plump with the Smith horse who can jump and should stay.
1 unit e/w De Vous A Moi
