Blackjack Magic is just the trick in Coral Trophy
BLACKJACK Magic can win the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase
(Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (3.37pm) at Kempton Park this afternoon.
While at Newcastle, Christopher
Wood can land the marathon Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Chase
(GBB Race) (2.08pm).
Following the release of the weights for the Randox Grand National at Aintree earlier this week, several of the leading candidates for glory in the world’s greatest steeplechase will be having their prep runs starting from this weekend.
Strangely, none of those lining up in the Coral Trophy are doubly engaged in the Grand National, while Tommie Beau is the only one in the Eider also entered at Aintree
but at 82nd on the list he will almost certainly not make the cut for the big day on April 13.
But both races could conceivably be won by future National hopefuls.
Anthony Honeyball’s Blackjack Magic – whatever the future holds in staying handicaps – can at least land the feature at Kempton.
He may be a nine-year-old, but the gelded son of Black Sam Bellamy remains fairly unexposed over fences and should still be improving.
He has had seven starts over the bigger obstacles, winning three times. The latest – and probably the most impressive – was in the extended
3m1f Badger Beer Handicap Chase
at Wincanton in November.
He beat Threeunderthrufive – a winner at Ascot
last week and a Grand National contender – as well as star veteran Frodon to triumph then.
That form seems rock solid and although he has only been fourth and fifth on his two most recent starts at Ascot and Sandown, he looks to have been targeted at this top handicap.
A generally sound jumper, he looks sure to go very close to returning to winning ways ahead of chiefly stable-mate Forward Plan and top weight Sam Brown.
In the Eider, despite the Venetia Williams’ stable being slightly out of form in recent weeks, a chance is taken that Christopher Wood can come out on top of the gruelling extended 4m1f contest in testing conditions. The nineyear-old made a pleasing first crack at these extreme trips when third – admittedly a fair way back – to Inis Oirr in the Edinburgh National Handicap Chase at Musselburgh at the start of the month. He looked as if he can make up into a dour stayer there and conditions were probably a bit quick for him to really show that previously-hidden reserves of stamina.
But in soft conditions in which he has won and been placed over hurdles and fences, he may be able to stay on best for victory.
Top weight The Galloping Bear, the previously mentioned National entrant Tommie Beau and Brian Ellison’s Anglers Crag – who is seeking a four-timer – could also be the ones left staying on at the finish.
Back at Kempton, it could be a very good afternoon for champion trainer Paul Nicholls with Tahmuras the pick in the Grade Two Coral Pendil Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (2.27pm).
The seven-year-old has won one of his three chase starts so far and can land another following his second-placed finish to Crebilly at Exeter earlier this month.
Ditcheat stable-mate Panjari – a good winner of the Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Musselburgh at the start of the month – can also land a first Grade Two victory in the Coral Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm).
While the unbeaten, twice-raced, course and distance winner Kalif Du Berlais can give Nicholls a clean sweep of the three Grade Two contests at Kempton and take the Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.50pm) en route to a crack at the JCB Juvenile Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
Nicky Henderson’s No Ordinary Joe has been slightly disappointing in two starts this season but may bounce back with victory in the opener at Kempton, the Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (1.15pm).
Others who may score at the Surrey track are the Olly Murphytrained Grandads Cottage in the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (4.10pm); and Nicholls’ Roman Roy in the finale, the Coral We’re Here For It Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race) (4.45pm).
Back at Newcastle, Nicky Richards’ Marown can win the iGaming. News Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.27pm).
The 10-year-old has not triumphed since March 2021 but is now 9lb lower than that last winning handicap mark and hinted at a possible return to winning ways when third over three miles at Newcastle last time. Back down to 2m4f, he may end his long wait for a victory.
Others who may score at Gosforth Park are the Lucinda Russelltrained duo Big John Wayne and hat-trick-seeking Netywell in the opener, the Betting.Bet Horse Racing Tips Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.05pm) and the Betting.Bet
Cheltenham Festival Free Bets Handicap Chase (1.38pm) respectively.
While former Newcastle winner Since Day One – who makes his seasonal return for the stable of Merseyside-born trainer Donald
McCain – may triumph in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Handicap Hurdle (3.27pm).
At Chepstow, Henderson’s Walking On Air can land the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.08pm) and the Andrew Martin-trained course and distance winner Midnight Ginger may triumph in the Pertemps Network Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.33pm).
In Ireland at Fairyhouse, last year’s Aintree runner-up Vanillier can boost his already exceptional Grand National claims with victory in the Grade Three Tote.ie Bobbyjo Steeplechase (2.50pm).