GIRL POWER
IRISH RAIDER CAN STRIKE AGAIN
ONLY beaten three parts of a length when second over course and distance last month when rated 139, CALICO (1.15) can go one better in the Quintessentially Handicap Chase run over two miles at Cheltenham off a revised ledge of 143 this afternoon.
In need of his seasonal reappearance when third to stable companion Star Stage at this track in November,
IL RIDOTO (1.50) will strip fitter when he rocks up in the Virgin Bet December Gold Cup Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.
A winner over track and trip in January off a perch of 138, he must be on the premises racing off a rating of 143.
Harry Fry sends DEEPER BLUE (2.05) on the long trek from Dorset to Doncaster to contest the Bet365 Handicap Chase over two miles and three furlongs, so take the hint. This creature ran a blinder on his first run for nearly a year when second at Plumpton 54 days ago so he has a nice break to recover from those exertions.
He snared a handicap hurdle at Exeter in March 2022 off a ledge of 124, so he can take this off a mark of 129.
Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed great success at Cheltenham this season with the horses he has sent across the Irish Sea from County Meath, with MALINA GIRL (2.25) a prime example when she sauntered home 10 lengths clear of her rivals 27 days ago when rated 135.
The mare has been hiked to a higher mark of 146 but her crafty trainer has put a promising 5lb claimer on her back to aid her cause, and she looks an each-way steal around the 11-2 perch.
CLEAR WHITE LIGHT (2.40) bolted up by five-anda-half lengths over course and distance a fortnight ago at Doncaster, for which the assessor nudged him up 6lb.
But once again a cute handler has employed a 7lb claimer to ease his burden, so I’m sure Adrian Keatley’s beast will go very well in the Bet365 Handicap Hurdle over two miles on Town Moor.
Kim Bailey has an exciting horse on his hands with
DESTROYTHEEVIDENCE (3.00), who sluiced up by six-and-a-half lengths in a Kempton handicap over this afternoon’s journey at the end of November.
The veteran trainer has decided to pitch him in the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle over three miles at Cheltenham and it looks a shrewd move.
It appears the bookies have dressed up in the red coat and white beard a bit early by offering us 11-2 about his chances, so get stuck in each-way.
It rocks my boat that Brian Hughes is leaving the pie and chips alone so he can trim down to 10st 4lb to partner TWOSHOTSOFTEQUILA (3.15) for Rebecca Menzies in the Bet365 Handicap Chase run over three miles at
Doncaster.
Last time out my each-way selection around the 8-1 mark was second off a perch of 120 at Catterick three weeks ago and was bumped up a pound to a rating of 121.
The six-year-old scored over course and distance off a ledge of 112 in March, and the form was boosted when the second and fourth subsequently obliged.
Although she is 5lb out-of-the-weights, GOOD LUCK CHARM (3.35) will carry my each-way hopes at 9-1 in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles at Cheltenham.
She scored cosily at Wincanton last time out and has only 10st 2lb in her saddle.