INSIDE TRACK
Priced at even money BUVEUR D’AIR looks set to defend his crown on Saturday in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, writes Julie Williams.
The anticipated battle with Gordon Elliott’s SAMCRO promises to be a thrilling precursor to the titanic battle expected to come should both contend the Champion Hurdle in four months time.
He goes well fresh, so no concerns that this is the first we’ve seen of Nicky Henderson’s star since March when landing the Champion Hurdle for a second consecutive year.
Dealing with SAMCRO ( 7/ 4) and dual Grade 1 winner SUMMERVILLE BOY ( 9/ 2) is another matter.
Better will be expected of Elliott’s champion hurdle contender SAMCRO after an underwhelming outing at Down Royal last month.
With just seven runners declared at the five day stage it’s a race that demands you pin your colours firmly to the mast.
On official ratings the young pretender SAMCRO has something to find with the market leader but the son of GERMANY continues to improve and could and should do so past BUVEUR D’AIR.
With unseasonable dry ground in Ireland I would speculate that many of Elliott’s recent runners have needed their run. If so, then SAMCRO’S 7/ 4 is a decent price.
Formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup, the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury on Saturday will be a 3 mile 2 furlong slog.
With a quarter of a million pounds in prize money up for grabs little wonder there are 23 confirmed entries.
It is a race that regularly produces Gold Cup winners , with the likes of BOBS WORTH and DENMAN former victors.
Last year’s winner TOTAL RECALL is one of seven runners representing the Willie Mullins yard.
According to the trainer it is the eye- catching run of last time out winner KEMBOY they have to watch out for.
He has gone up 4lbs for his victory over ALPHA DES OBEAUX, but in the fetching manner of that win, it may not be enough to stop him.
From being as big as 14/ 1 the bookies have him a warm second favourite at 7/ 1. Colin Tizzard trains ELEGANT ESCAPE ( 6/ 1), a worthy favourite.
He, too, carries a 4lb penalty for his seasonal debut success at Sandown after a wind operation when he saw off the stern challenge of Saturdays co- favourite THOMAS PATRICK ( 6/ 1).
They meet on more favourable terms for Tom Lacey’s six year old, himself a course and distance winner.
Whilst there is a mad scramble at the head of the market, I’m hoping that Paul Nicholls’ BLACK CORTON ( 16/ 1) is over- priced.
Already a Group 1 winner over the trip he was beaten less than a length by ELEGANT ESCAPE back in December last year at the track.
There may be others to improve past BLACK CORTON but on his day he can lay up with the best of them and at the price looks excellent each way value.