Flos to land a KO blow
2.50 BETWAY MILDMAY NOV CHASE
The times yesterday suggested the ground on the chase course was a little softer than that on the hurdles track, which should play to the strengths of Colin Tizzard-trained ELEGANT ESCAPE who relishes a severe test of stamina.
Tizzard’s novice chasers were seen in a good light on day one of the meeting and six-year- old elegant escape ran a blinder behind Presenting Percy in the RSA Chase at last month’s Festival, sticking to his task gamely up the Cheltenham hill to claim third place.
There does not appear to be any horse of Presenting Percy’s calibre in this field, even if Terrefort is a very useful animal in his own right, yet elegant escape may even improve again in the first-time cheekpieces.
Nicky henderson enjoyed a terrific opening day to the National meeting with three winners and Terrefort remains a horse of interest, even if he is yet to confirm his stamina at today’s trip. BEST BET: ELEGANT ESCAPE 11-2
2.20 BETWAY TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE
GLOBAL CITIZEN was tremendously impressive at Kempton last time and connections were at pains to keep him fresh for this test.
That could prove to be a very wise move and Global Citizen will be tough to beat because his cruising speed is beyond that of many of his rivals and he appears a high- class novice in the making.
but, while VISION DES FLOS may not have earned that status just yet, he ran with great credit in the ballymore behind Samcro at Cheltenham when appearing to not quite get home and he may relish today’s drop back in trip.
A wind operation prior to an easy exeter success on his penultimate start looked to have ironed out any issues and Colin Tizzard’s team wasted no time in striking with a winner in the shape of Finian’s oscar yesterday. BEST BET: VISION DES FLOS 5-1
3.25 JLT MELLING CHASE
MIN will be popular for this race and understandably so given Altior needed to hit overdrive at Cheltenham to wrestle the Queen Mother Champion Chase from his grasp.
There looked a likelihood of a mini upset when Min moved to the front two fences from home that day, but he had no answer to the winner and i wonder if it will be a similar scenario today.
Min is an exuberant type and his keen running style can sometimes leave him vulnerable late on to a closer such as
BALKO DES FLOS who could well appear late on the scene in the hands of Davy Russell. The irish rider was seen to great effect aboard the selection in the Ryanair Chase, in which the duo picked off Un De Sceaux before bounding clear on the run-in. A repeat of those tactics from Russell may make him difficult to resist late on, especially if Min expends too much early energy. BEST BET: BALKO DES FLOS 2-1
4.05 RANDOX HEALTH TOPHAM H’CAP CHASE
ALTHOUGH THEATRE TERRITORY has a string of placed efforts to her name, there does not appear anything wrong with her attitude or tenacity and she could shed her maiden tag over fences at the sixth time of asking.
The likes of Cheltenham winner Mister Whitaker and Ms Parfois, a gallant runner-up at the Festival last month, have both proved narrowly too good for Warren Greatrex’s novice, who has run highly creditably in defeat.
her latest effort in a well-contested Kempton handicap was a further sign she should soon be winning and her rider boasts a fantastic record over the National fences for an amateur.
others which catch the eye include Polidam, who has had a recent wind procedure. his performance in a hot leopardstown handicap has taken a couple of sizeable boosts since and he could run a huge race. BEST BET: THEATRE TERRITORY 10-1
4.40 DOOM BAR SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE
NICKY HENDERSON appears to hold a vice-like grip on this with Santini, ok Corral and Chef Des obeaux all renewing rivalries following their efforts in Cheltenham’s Albert bartlett hurdle behind winner Kilbricken Storm.
Chef Des obeaux should be more at home on a flatter track and can leave behind a dismal effort, while there doesn’t appear a lot between the other Seven barrows representatives, with Santini also likely to appreciate the more galloping nature of Aintree.
however, all three endured hard races in the Cotswolds and ROKSANA could take advantage at a bigger price.
A strong, well-built type, she landed the mares’ finale at Newbury in style and Dan Skelton was quick to enthuse about her qualities afterwards.
She deserves a step up in grade and could spring a surprise given she won with a little in hand last month. BEST BET: ROKSANA 14-1