GET READY FOR A METIER STRIKE
NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3 1 METIER
2 APPRECIATE IT
3 SOARING GLORY
METIER has achieved plenty in the first half of the season and has the potential to give favourite Appreciate It plenty to think about.
Having acquired the son of Mastercraftsman from Ireland, where he earned a rating of 90 in winning one of his eight starts, Harry Fry (right) sought to prepare Metier for last year’s Triumph Hurdle.
But the project required patience, and Metier has rewarded his trainer with three wins over obstacles this winter.
Sent off the 9-4 favourite for a winning start in his new discipline at Newton Abbot last October, Sean Bowen’s mount went in by 10 lengths.
Racing under a 5lb penalty at Ascot 22 days later, Metier followed up by five and a half lengths, prompting Fry to take aim at the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in January, when he scooted home.
Fry wisely resisted the temptation to take in the rescheduled Betfair Hurdle with Metier, who can defend his unbeaten record under the winter code today. Appreciate It isn’t passed over lightly, while Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory can make the podium.
TURN Silver into gold in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
The ground has come right for SILVER STREAK (3.05) in jump racing’s top hurdles prize.
He is at his very best on decent going and he has looked an improved horse this season. Evan Williams’ grey saw off last year’s Champion Hurdler Epatante when an all-the-way winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last time out.
The runner-up wasn’t at her best at all but it’s hard to crab Silver Streak’s profile.
He has an exceptional record when fresh so an 80-day break since then is in his favour and he has run well in this race in each of the last two years despite racing on testing ground.
The best-priced 18-1 on offer is a steal so have 2pts each-way but make sure it’s with a bookmaker offering four places.
Promising novice ALNADAM (2.30) has impressed me this season.
His jumping is very good and I’m willing to take the chance that he’ll see out the distance stepped up to 3m for the first time in the Ultima Chase.
There were others going better than him heading to the third last at Sandown last month but he brushed them aside with a powerful display up the hill.
Sky Bet are paying out on a generous seven places in this race but most of the other bookies are going five places so have 1pt each-way at 12-1.
The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle has attracted the biggest field of the day and I reckon it will pay to follow some SAGE ADVICE (4.15).
Richard Newland’s (above) runner won well on his Kempton hurdles debut and he was never going to be suited by a three-runner race at Fontwell last month.
The likely strong pace and better ground should bring out the best in him. Have 1pt each-way at 22-1. With several firms paying out on six places, make sure you shop
around if you can.
SNOW LEOPARDESS
(4.50) has a fair bit to find with the favourites in the National Hunt Chase on official figures but don’t let that put you off.
Plenty of horses with lower ratings have done well in this marathon chase. It’s far more important to jump well and stay the extreme distance.
That’s just what Charlie Longsdon’s mare does.
This will be her first run over the 3m6f trip and I’m fully expecting her to love it.
Have 1pt each-way at 18-1.