Master looks a breath of fresh air at Kempton
Master Work (2.40) can maintain an outstanding opening to the season for Philip Hobbs.
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With Champions’ Day at Ascot yesterday bringing the curtain down on the main Flat season, it is now time to get stuck into a Winter of proper jump action with Kempton having a super card.
Hobbs has excelled in the first exchanges of 2021/22 with a brilliant beginning to the campaign as he had a cracking Chepstow last weekend.
The expert handler had a tough time last season with his yard seemingly under a cloud and a reported sickness within the string causing poor results.
However, it might mean some of them come into this season well-handicapped horses with an over 30 per cent strike rate in the past fortnight suggesting that to be the case.
Master Work actually did manage to get his head in front last term at Taunton through the stable struggles and arrives at Sunbury with strong claims.
Favourite Mercian Prince loves the venue but it is worth taking a chance at the prices on the Hobbs yak.
Only four go to post for the Listed Hurdle which has been dominated in the past couple of years by the sublime SILVER STREAK (3.15).
Evan Williams always seems to have the grey in peak shape for this meeting and the gelding can see off Sceau Royale to complete a hat-trick.
The price will not be anything wonderful in the opening race about IMPULSIVE ONE
(1.00).
However, the Nicky Henderson charge looks to be one the of the most exciting juveniles to hit the track this term and victory in the double green is on the cards under Daryl Jacob.
If the action is good in the South, it is just as exciting up at Sedgefield.
Hobbs is the main man on his patch at the moment and the same can be said up North for Donald McCain who has also got his team in red-hot nick.
Durham National Day offers yet another opportunity for winners and he has to have a huge chance with A DIFFERENT KIND (5.15).
The trainer
also has two big chances in the first race where MINELLA TRUMP (1.45) can beat his stablemate Minella Drama. McCain is not represented in the big one where a chance is taken at a decent each-way price on RED GIANT (3.30). Twelve months ago, the Jennie Candlish charge came out on top in this marathon affair and all roads have been leading back there since.
Red Giant has shown no sort of form in the ensuing period, yet that also means the gelding heads back to Sedgefield with a full five pounds less on his back than a year ago.
The Candlish yard is going well and Sean Quinlan is another massive bonus in the saddle. The 10-year-old is definitely worth a punt.
Over in Ireland, there are two more excellent cards and the best bet over the Jumps at Cork comes in the shape of the Gordon Elliott-trained PERFECT ATTITUDE (1.55). The five-year-old was a nice winner on seasonal reappearance at Clonmel and can build on that success in the hands of Bryan Cooper. The day’s action on the Flat comes at Naas where I’m backing AWHILE (2.50) in the Garnet Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly looked very smart when landing her maiden at Fairyhouse so she should take this quick promotion to Listed company in her stride.