GRAND PLAN
SOME PLAN is made to measure for the Randox Health Handicap Chase (3.10) at Cheltenham.
The nine-year-old, with Tom George and Paul Nicholls before being sent across the Irish Sea to Henry de Bromhead, evidently isn’t the easiest horse to train – he’s had just 18 starts.
But there’s plenty under the bonnet, as Some Plan showed when winning over fences at Naas in January, finishing alone to capture the Grade 1 Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown three weeks later.
Some Plan didn’t shine on his return to the fray when trailing in a well-beaten fourth over fences at Limerick 20 days ago.
But that contest was over an extended two miles and three furlongs and the return to the minimum trip is a big plus for my selection, who looks well treated off a handicap rating of 146.
Elsewhere at the home DOING of jump racing, FINE
gets the vote for the randoxhealth.com Handicap Chase (2.00).
He improved over fences last season, and Neil Mulholland’s nine-year-old is taken to resume his upward curve after a pleasing return over hurdles at the beginning of the month. BEDROCK
Dan Skelton’s should justify short odds in the 2.35, while WHATAKNIGHT
appeals in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (3.45)
There would be few more popular WHAT ABOUT winners today than CARLO
in Newbury’s Group 3 Worthington’s Stakes (2.15).
Three times a course winner for Eve Johnson Houghton, What About Carlo was a fluent winner in Listed grade here in July and his cause will be aided by give underfoot.
Former jump jockey PJ McDonald has had a superb season on the Flat, DREAM TODAY and his mount has plenty going for him in the Group 3 Bathwick Tyres Stakes (2.50).
At Doncaster, Dream Today’s REBEL ASSAULT stablemate should give another good account in the opening Listed Doncaster Stakes (1.45).
A strong pace looks assured in the 4.00, so SPRING LOADED expect to finish fast and late for the five-furlong prize.