Patience to pay off for Waiting
IN a career that has witnessed many defeats in top-class events,
WAITING PATIENTLY
(2.50, treble, ITV) can take centre stage in today’s Betway Bowl at Aintree.
Last victorious when beating Cue Card in his pomp at Ascot four years ago,Waiting Patiently was found out over two miles by First Flow on his recent run at Ascot in January.
But his previous outing, when runner-up behind Frodon in the King GeorgeVI Chase at Kempton in December over three miles, where Clan Des Obeaux was six lengths third, suggests he retains the ability to take today’s Grade One over three miles and a furlong.
Clan Des Obeaux is not the force that enabled him to take the King GeorgeVI Chase two years ago.
Connections believe first-time cheekpieces will rekindle his enthusiasm but his recent outing behind Secret Investor at Newbury suggests he is now on the decline.
The same cannot be said of the 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River but this honest performer needs bottomless conditions to show his best.
Fanciful entry Tiger Roll would be the winner by a mile if this contest took place over the National fences.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Clan Des Obeaux, can start the meeting on a high with smart novice chaser HITMAN (1.45) and MONMIRAL (2.20, ITV).
Hitman, winner of his recent start at Sandown, skipped Cheltenham to come here a fresh horse.
Always highly thought of by his trainer, there is plenty of confidence behind the Sir Alex Fergusonowned gelding.
Now unbeaten in his four outings, Monmiral has yet to be tested in his three outings since joining Nicholls from France.
Before falling in last month’s Champion Hurdle ABACADBRAS
(3.25, nap, ITV) had posted some solid efforts against some of the best.
A repeat of his penultimate outing when chasing home Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown will see him take this prize.
The drop in distance will be ideal for
LATENIGHTPASS
(4.05, nb, ITV) in the Rose Paterson Randox Foxhunters’.
He was travelling like the winner before failing to get home over 3m 2f in the Open Hunter Chase at Cheltenham when fourth behind Porlock Bay where Billaway finished second.The handicapper has given
SULLY D’OC AA (4.40, ITV) a cracking chance.
The progressive seven-year-old would have finished closer than eighth behind The Shunter at Cheltenham last month if not denied a clear run.
EILEENDOVER
(5.15) can reward Pam Sly’s decision to bypass Cheltenham in favour of the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ NH Flat Race.
Last seen when making it three wins from three runs at Market Rasen in January, the filly had the well-fanciedWillie Mullins-trained Grangee in third place.
Grangee upheld that form by winning her following race and also finishing a respectable sixth behind stable mate Sir Gerhard in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month.
As a four-year-old, she also receives a 6lb age allowance from most of her rivals which will make her difficult to catch.