Boggy Chepstow should suit Cogry
FANS of a goodquality staying handicap chase will be praying the bad weather relents and Chepstow can stage its rearranged Coral Welsh Grand National meeting today.
With the ground likely to be more good to choppy than good to soft, snorkels and flippers may be more appropriate than blinkers and visors for the 20 that go to post.
However, one horse which shouldn’t be inconvenienced by quagmire conditions is COGRY (Chepstow, 1.45) who ran a lovely trial at Cheltenham on his seasonal return and should be primed to go close.
A heavy-ground winner at today’s venue last December, the seven-year-old was far from beaten in the Scottish National in the spring when falling four out when handily placed.
He appeared to jump tidily enough on his return in the hands of Ryan Hatch and was strong at the line in a race which has produced wins for the likes of Perfect Candidate (5th), Rigadin De Beauchene (9th), Sego Success (14th) and Soll (16th).
Cogry wasn’t alone in shaping with promise that day as Upswing (2nd), Shotgun Paddy (5th) and Black Thunder (12th) all emerged from the event, won by Sausalito Sunrise, with credit. Today’s conditions may not be in the favour of Upswing, who is suited to better ground, but course winner Shotgun Paddy and Black Thunder could be on the scene.
The late withdrawal of Unowhatimeanharry due to a dirty scope opens up the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle and the lightly-raced and weighted WESTREN WARRIOR (Kempton, nb, 2.35) could be well enough handicapped to take advantage.
A three-mile winner on heavy ground in Ireland before joining current connections, the seven-year-old was swept aside by Singlefarmpayment at Southwell two starts ago. His conqueror has since gone on to land a competitive Cheltenham handicap to enhance the form and Westren Warrior has also been successful, dismissing six rivals at Lingfield on bottomless ground.
Trainer Dr Richard Newland is adept at winning valuable handicap hurdles with novices and he could have another nicely handicapped contender today.
PYROCLASTIC (Lingfield, nap, 1.55) caught the eye over a mile yesterday when not quite enjoying the run of the race and should appreciate the return to a trip which saw him narrowly touched off two starts ago.