WILLIAMS SET TO LEAVE DONCASTER WITH FEATHER IN HIS CAP
HAVING backed Il RIDOTO (1.15) last time out at cheltenham in December, I could not believe my fading eyesight when Bryony Frost went way too fast on Paul nicholls’ ultra game beast.
The horse performed a minor miracle to grab second and with Harry Cobden taking over in the plate the improving seven-year-old can land the Paddy Power Handicap Chase run over two and a half miles at Prestbury Park off a 5lb higher mark.
The best piece of Cheltenham form in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase over three and a quarter miles in Gloucestershire is provided by THE REAL WHACKER (1.50) who defeated subsequent dual Grade One scorer, Gerri Colombe, over three miles at the Festival in March.
Patrick Neville’s stable star was fourth in the King George and back at his favourite haunt, this game creature can gain the day.
Willie Mullins has dispatched son Patrick to Doncaster to partner ASHROE DIAMOND (2.05) in the SBK Mares’ Hurdle run over two miles on Town Moor and the hint must be taken.
Short
She landed a Grade One Hurdle at Fairyhouse in April, and ran a cracker behind Teahupoo and Impaire Et Passé on her seasonal bow at the same venue earlier this season.
JONBON (2.25) is unbeaten in two starts this campaign and he will a very short price to complete his hat-trick in the rescheduled Clarence House Chase run over two miles at Cheltenham.
If you like backing the odds-on jollies an added bonus is James Bowen taking over in the irons from Nico De Boinville.
One of the shrewdest trainers in Northern Ireland is Stuart Crawford, so the fact he is bringing I LOVE MY BAIE (2.40) to Doncaster to run in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle over three miles rocks my boat.
This animal bolted up at Ayr in December over two and a half miles, where the gelding ran as though this longer trip would see him in a better light.
Paul Townend is heading to Cheltenham so he can get his leg over LOSSIEMOUTH (3.00) in the Unibet International Hurdle run over two miles and a furlong. Willie Mullins’ filly showed her liking for course and distance when capturing the Triumph Hurdle in March, and she gets weight from her male counterparts which will make her very hard to beat for her bang in-form handler.
In last year’s renewal of the SBK Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase over three miles at Doncaster, CAP DU NORD (3.15) was second racing off a perch of 125. Christian Williams has managed to get his horse rated 124 this time with only 10st 2lb on his back.
Around the 16-1 mark he looks a corking each-way punt.
I’m hoping there will be plenty of early pace on in the Mccoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle run three miles at Cheltenham, as no horse will be staying on up the stiff hill after the last than Grand National hero NOBLE YEATS (3.35).
Beast
Emmet Mullins’ beast was third in the Cotswold Chase at this meeting last year and was fourth in the Gold Cup in March, so it’s obvious he likes a trip to Prestbury Park.
Harry Cobden is a good jockey booking and if you can find a kind bookie offering three places in this seven-runner heat, happy days and gobble up any 9-2 or 4-1.