Row to grow EDMUNDS TO GET DUE RE-WARD
THE powerful yards of Henderson, Skelton, Pipe, King and Meade dominate the betting for the feature Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham today.
But I think Stuart Edmunds can land a blow for the smaller handler with his light weight ROWLAND WARD (2.55).
Of the market leaders, likely favourite No Ordinary Joe could literally be anything following a convincing novices’ hurdle success at Worcester but the selection is no mug following a fair run in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow.
Hampered on the home turn that day, the five-year-old had every chance between the final two flats before eventually finishing fourth of 17 in that two-and-a-half mile contest.
This drop to a stiff two miles looks made to measure for the youngster and he can cause a major surprise at the chief expense of the market leader and another light weight, Galice Macalo.
UNDERSUPERVISION (1.10) can make up for a bizarre incident when he was last seen at the Prestbury Park track last month when crashing through the rails on the run-in.
Obviously none the worse for that wayward manoeuvre, the highly rated youngster can gain compensation in the novices’ chase at the main expense of Threeunderthrufive.
With The Mighty Don continuing to disappoint, ROCKY’S TREASURE
(1.45) looks the pick of the weights in the lung-bursting 3m3f Grade Three handicap chase.
A sound surface is vital for the Kim Bailey-trained bottom weight and the
10-year-old looks the safest call here.
PUT THE KETTLE ON (2.20) has a cracking record at Cheltenham including a game win in the Shloer Chase 12 months ago.
But her crowning moment came when she fired up the hill to victory in the Champion
Chase in March.
Aidan
Coleman gets a remarkable tune out of Henry de Bromhead’s mare and she can put Politologue and Nube Negra to the sword.
At Fontwell, an extended three miles and three furlongs around the figure-of-eight track is enough to send the most athletic horse dizzy but this turning test should suit GLENO (3.10) down to the ground in the Southern National.
From the white-hot Gary Moore yard, the soft pace simply didn’t suit the selection last time out at Exeter but with that run under his belt and a solid gallop on here, I expect the lightly raced nine-year-old to notably step up here.
Earlier on, the old boy SIZING AT MIDNIGHT (12.55) will surely go close off a chase mark of 111, less Harry Kimber’s 7lbs claim, while RIZZARDO (1.25) can defy top weight under 10lbs conditional Finn Lambert.
Despite his big weight, the last named has been given a real chance by the handicapper in this 2m5f handicap chase and has his easiest task for a while to land a gold medal.
ED TURNER: Stuart Edmunds’ Rowland Ward can make his mark at Cheltenham