National bet is no Mysteree..
CHEPSTOW are optimistic they will beat the elements and be able to run today’s rearranged Welsh Grand National although conditions are sure to be extremely testing.
Having put up Mysteree (2.05) for the original contest over Christmas I see no reason to desert Michael Scudamore’s 10-year-old although the 12/1 available at the time has gone and the selection is now just 8/1 at BetVictor.
Robbie Dunne takes the ride on a horse with an outstanding record first time out and I would be disappointed if he doesn’t go very close on his belated seasonal reappearance.
Pure Vision looks like making up into a better chaser than hurdler having scored at Ffos Las from a 7lb lower mark last time for the inform Anthony Honeyball.
The further he went the better he looked last time and today’s additional quarter of a mile should be well within his compass.
That said the same sentiments could be said about the mare Socksy (1.00) who was a good winner on her first start over the larger obstacles at Ayr (2m 4f ) and she looks ready for a step back up to three miles.
Nicky Henderson has We Have a Dream (1.35) in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown but the trainer has advised that his first choice engagement is the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle and the recent Doncaster winner can take the step up in grade in his stride.
At Sandown, Midnight Jazz is fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time in her bid to go one better than last year when she finished runner up in the listed Mares’ Hurdle.
The vote, however, goes to Dusky Legend (12.45) who has run well over fences so far this season and was not beaten at the time when coming down two out at Newbury last month. The selection is not the biggest horse in training and she might appreciate reverting to timber although I do think she can win over fences going forward – albeit on better ground.
The Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle is a sub-standard affair with Nicky Henderson’s Claimantakanforgan a significant non-runner on account of the forecast heavy ground. Western Ryder is BetVictor’s 6/4 favourite having given weight and a beating to his rivals at Cheltenham last month, but marginal preference is for the unbeaten Kalashnikov (2.25) who has won a Bumper and two hurdles for the yard of Amy Murphy.