STAYING POWER
O’Brien’s Petite has big chance to down Eider Chase rivals
GET READY for a power surge in the demanding Vertem Eider Chase (2.45) at Newcastle this afternoon.
Fergal O’Brien’s (below) PETITE POWER
has had a profitable campaign, starting off with a handicap chase victory over three miles and a furlong at Cheltenham’s showcase fixture in October.
Having followed up over a furlong further at Uttoxeter, Petite Power went under by a neck to Belle Empress over an extended three and a three-quarter miles at Exeter at the start of December.
Again partnered by his amateur pilot Liam Harrison, the 11-year-old went off a 12-1 chance for the Classic Chase at Warwick six weeks ago.
The Form Book records he finished third, beaten over 17 lengths, behind Grand National hope Kimberlite Candy – but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
Petite Power was done no favours when Darlac fell four fences from home, but kept on in the straight in the style of a horse who would strongly appreciate a stringent test of stamina.
With the 12-strong field asked to run four miles, one furlong and 56 yards in heavy ground, he’s sure to get that today. MASTER
At Kempton, TOMMYTUCKER gets the vote in the Grade 2 Betway Pendil Novices’ Chase (1.15).
The son of Kayf Tara hasn’t been an easy horse for Paul Nicholls to train – he is now nine years old but has had just five starts over obstacles. Master Tommytucker beat today’s rival Who Dares Wins over two and a quarter miles here in November before coming down four from home in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over three miles at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Harry Cobden’s mount, who splits the difference here at an extended two
and a half miles, still has the scope for improvement and can put that mishap behind him.
Nicholls and Cobden combine with French SOLO import in the Grade 2 Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (1.50).
The four-year-old had two starts across the Channel in the first half of the winter, following a second at Auteuil with a 15-length win there four weeks later.
A repeat of the latter effort will make the son of Kapgarde a formidable player as he bids to put down a marker for the Festival. BUZZ
Nicky Henderson’s is two from two over obstacles and looks a worthy favourite to defend his unbeaten record in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (3.02).
A four-timer victor on the Flat when with Hughie Morrison, Buzz overcame a mistake at the final flight to score at Taunton on his hurdles debut at the beginning of last month.
And the pair finished 14 lengths clear of the third when he overcame market rival Glory And Fortune at Doncaster last time out.
The Grade 2 Betway Kingwell Hurdle (2.25) is salvaged from Wincanton’s lost card a week ago, and SONG FOR the vote goes to SOMEONE
(2.25), too good for all bar Thomas Darby at Ascot on his most recent outing.
Lingfield stages the Group 3 Betway Winter DUBAI Derby (3.15), where WARRIOR
rates a serious danger to odds-on favourite Bangkok.
Like his brother Mootasadir, Dubai Warrior is a smart tool on the all-weather and impressed when capturing the Listed Quebec Stakes over course and distance before Christmas.
Earlier on the Lingfield programme, David O’Meara’s 10-year-old WATCHABLE
is capable of giving younger opponents a run for their money in the Listed Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (2.05).