Bedrock a solid foundation for winning weekend
BEDROCK of success is confidence, equine and human! Following eclipse of Champion Hurdle favourite (at the time!), Samcro, around Down Royal 29 days ago, ridden by the fabulous female National Hunt jockey, Rachael Blackmore, multi-raced Bedrock will be on a hat-trick today; this tough, durable, Fastnet Rock gelding lines up against Gordon Elliot’s best hurdler (again!) and four others, including dual Champion Hurdle winner, Buveir d’Air.
The occasion, a fantastic grade one Fighting Fifth Hurdle over two miles of ‘soft’ Newcastle; what a coup for the North-east racetrack, once beleaguered but now buoyant with an all-weather tapeta flat-racing circuit which is the envy of the racing world. It will rival the Breeders’ Cup initiative one day, thanks to former Champion NH trainer, Michael Dickinson.
Betting forecasts indicate Bedrock will trade at 10/1 plus whereas punters are expected to keep faith with Samcro, second favourite, but expected to improve for his disappointing seasonal debut, and a faller on his final outing last season; Buveur d’Air is my idea of the only danger to our each-way selection with two places and three rivals simply not good enough, even though useful. Top class hurdling is a sight to behold.
Two ‘beauts’, Tauteke (11/4) and London Rock (10/1), stormed home Thursday and with Mostawaa a non-runner a ‘full house’ daily patent certainly means readers are now ready for any expense(s) this Christmas; tonight ‘well heeled’ diners will be watching Society Star and Kodiac Pride, from the magnificent fourth floor restaurant, attempt to kick-off December in the best possible way on Wolverhampton tapeta.
Specialising with all-weather racing has been successful and I’m indeed confident when good jockeys are booked; David Probert replaces veteran Brett Doyle on Society Star in the Novice Stakes over furlongs, a real plus, and Tom Marquand partners William Haggas-trained Kodiac Pride, a ‘special’ in division two of the seven furlongs Novice Stakes.
Incidentally Tom was very impressed with Clematis when Charles Hills’ charge won first-up at Kempton two days ago; her finishing burst was the stuff of ‘Premier League!’
Society Star improved on an encouraging debut when a close third over course and distance, last month; trainer Robert Cowell, 50 this week, is expecting another reason for celebration with our time-handicap nap!
Costly Kodiac Pride should outclass eleven rivals and is rated group class; progeny of his sire cost enough but they often prove good value; way out of my league!
Newcastle, 2.05 Bedrock (e.w); Wolverhampton, 5.15 Society Star (nap-e.w); 6.15 Kodiac Pride (e.w)