George bets it all on the farm
The race formerly known as the hennessy has a new title this year and there will be a fresh trainer’s name on the trophy if SINGLEFARMPAYMENT (Newbury, 3.00) can land this prestigious event.
Tom George is yet to add his name to an illustrious roll-call of trainers who have secured one of jump racing’s most illustrious races. But he landed a nice prize at Ascot last weekend and his seven-year-old looks primed to run a career-best today.
The ability to travel strongly and jump with precision in big-field handicap chases is a highly prized commodity and George’s gelding has displayed those traits on more than one occasion in a six- chase career, which has seen him narrowly beaten in a red-hot Cheltenham Festival handicap.
Described as nervous earlier in his career, Singlefarmpayment has taken work and patience to be transformed into a horse capable of competing in fierce handicaps. The quiet riding style of Adrian heskin could well have imparted confidence in his partner and the duo’s form figures of 321B22 make impressive reading given the level at which they have competed.
A recent spin at Cheltenham behind Cogry should have blown away a few cobwebs and the selection has won in each of the last two Decembers after being tuned up by his reappearance.
Needless to say, the shortlist is a weighty one with American and Total Recall to be feared. The former needs cut in the ground to display his best, but he proved last season that, given any ease in conditions, he becomes a formidable rival.
Total Recall made a mockery of his handicap mark on his first start for Willie Mullins at Limerick, turning the Munster
National into a rout. An 18lb hike may not be enough to stop his progress and his wily trainer was keen not to make the same mistake he did with Djakadam and arrive at Newbury without the benefit of a run.
Others to consider at bigger prices include last year’s runnerup Carole’s Destrier, who boasts a good record fresh, and the first- time- blinkered Missed Approach, who likes this venue. I would also be wary of writing off Coneygree just yet.
The 2015 Gold Cup winner was a disappointment at Wetherby when suffering an overreach, but the drop back into a handicap at a track which suits him well could spark a big performance.
Siding with Sir Alex Ferguson on a Saturday afternoon was a pretty profitable strategy if you were a football punter, but his namesake is entrusted with the nap aboard HIGH BRIDGE (Newbury, nap, 2.25).
With a record of two wins from as many starts at the venue, there is no issue with the track for Ben Pauling’s gelding, who warmed up with an excellent display at Ascot on his return. FORMCAST (Nigel Taylor) gave six winners from six at Doncaster yesterday. Enniscoffey Oscar (6-4), No Ceiling ( 13- 8), Manny Owens ( 2- 1), Powerful Symbol (7-1), Monbeg River (11-4) and Chapel Stile (5-2) scored at odds of 2,070-1.