TWIST & SHOUT!
Nigel’s planning a Bally good show in the battle of the golden oldies
2.55 – Glenfarclas Veterans’ H’cap Chase BALLYANDY ran a cracker back over fences on his reappearance and is worth sticking with in this veterans’ event.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ stable stalwart, a Cheltenham Festival hero in the 2016 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, marked his first season over obstacles with a win in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury 13 months later.
Things didn’t go to plan when Ballyandy was switched to fences five winters ago – he failed to add to a fencing debut score at Perth in September 2017 in four subsequent attempts – so Kayf Tara’s son went back to timber. That’s where he remained for his next 23 races, winning four of them, before making his chasing comeback over three miles at Perth in September.
Ridden by the trainer’s son, Sam, Ballyandy was still in contention three fences out before fading into third behind Charlie Uberalles.
The evidence of that run is that coming back in distance is the right move, and Ballyandy, whose 142 chase rating is 7lb beneath his hurdles mark, is well capable of making an impression in the oldtimers’ ranks.
Magic Dancer and Native Robin also have pressing claims.
1.45 – Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power H’cap Chase
AMARILLO SKY gets the vote to begin his second campaign over fences with a win.
The point-to-point winner scored on his second chase start, at Wincanton last November, before returning to the winner’s enclosure at Newbury in February. Amarillo Sky was then sent off the 5-1 second favourite for the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham in March.
And Brendan Powell’s mount was far from discredited in coming home fifth behind Global Citizen.
My selection was flying high when last of six to Gentleman De Mee in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree in April and will be better off returning to handicap company for in-form trainer Joe Tizzard
Despite top weight, The Glancing Queen is an obvious danger, while Malystic and Monsieur Lecoq are worth a second look.
3.30 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
HERMES ALLEN could hardly have made a more impressive debut under Rules and is the selection to remain unbeaten in the professional ranks.
The five-year-old had two starts in Irish point-to-points last winter, following a third at Rathcannon in October 2021 with victory at Kirkistown the following month.
Hermes Allen attracted plenty of interest in the auction ring at the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale 20 days later, and was bought for £350,000.
Starting out for Paul Nicholls in a maiden hurdle at Stratford over two and three-quarter miles in the middle of last month, the five-yearold hardly broke sweat to humble Theatre Man by 27 lengths.
Hermes Allen has any amount of progress up his sleeve and can take the step up to Grade 2 level, with Hubrisko and Music Drive heading the list of dangers.