Protektorat can see off Kempton rivals
THE Delaware Native Americans, known as the Lenape, had a word ‘wisameckham’, which loosely translates as ‘catfish stream’. That word eventually became Wissahickon in English, and one of the first paper mills in America was set up in the area now known as Wissahickon Creek, which is in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a long way from Lingfield, 3580 miles to be exact, but no doubt we will be hearing a lot about Wissahickon this afternoon if, as expected, he romps home in the Group Three Winter Derby (3.15 Lingfield).
Owned by the American philanthropist and Pennsylvania native George Strawbridge, the John Gosden-trained colt looks the real deal and really caught my eye when winning the 33-runner Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket in November.
He’s since followed up with two Listed wins and beat some of today’s rivals in the trial for this at the beginning of the month, and I’ve no doubt he’s got what it takes to win some top-level races.
He’s proven on turf and the all-weather and is 8lbs ahead of Big Country on official ratings – the Michael Appleby-trained sixyear-old which was trading at 11/1 yesterday.
All told, it’s hard to see Wissahickon being beaten here but chalked up around 1/3 there’s little point in having a bet, so I’ll enjoy the race with my wallet in my pocket.
One horse I will happily open my wallet for is Protektorat, especially if he goes off anywhere near his forecast price of 10/1 for the Grade Two 888Sport Take ‘Em On Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton (2.25).
Admittedly, a quick glance at his British form might not inspire a huge amount of confidence – he unseated on his debut in December and was fifth of nine in a Grade Two Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham in January – but it’s worth looking at his sec- ond place in a Listed race in France before he moved to Dan Skelton’s yard, in which showed a lot of promise.
He looked like he needed the run last time and Skelton may need a while to find the right races for him, but all that’s built into his double-figure price, and he looks the sort that has more to come.
Nicky Henderson’s Fusil Raffles will probably go off as favourite around 4/1. This is his first race since leaving Guillaume Macaire where he showed potential, although like the selection, it could take a bit of time before his current trainer figures out what races he’s best at.
That said, Henderson has tasted success in this race a number of times with the likes of Punjabi and Binocular, so he knows the sort it takes to win.
At Chepstow, I’m quite keen on Jammin
Masters around 6/4 for the four-runner Pertemps Industrial Novices’ Chase (3.05) with Chef Des Obeaux the odds-on favourite around 8/11.
That price for the latter looks a little short to me considering Nicky Henderson’s charge was pulled up or unseated in three of his last four outings, although that includes a couple of hurdle races from last season.
Timber
He was third in a beginners’ chase at Uttoxeter in December and does have Grade Two form over timber, but I wouldn’t be keen on backing him at a short price until we see a little more.
Jammin Masters has raced three times over fences, finishing second each time, and he risks becoming one of those that can’t seem to keep his head in front. But Warren Greatrex should be able to find something for him soon – although I reckon this could be the one where he finally gets off the mark over the bigger obstacles.
Getting back to Lingfield, the 2/1 about
Encore D’Or in the Listed Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (2.05) seems generous.
A few of these have met before so I’m happy to be guided by the official ratings, which have Robert Cowell’s seven-year-old 2lbs clear of the field, and Timeform also rate him as the top horse here, 4lbs ahead.
With 11 wins and eight places from 41 runs, he’s a good servant to connections and wasn’t disgraced when runner-up in a Group Two at Dundalk back in October.