RIOJA’S REDDY FOR AYR
I HOPE I’ll be raising a glass of the Spanish plonk to toast Jim Goldie’s RIOJA DAY (5.20) at Ayr.
One victory in 27 starts doesn’t make for impressive reading, but the Red Clubs gelding looks to be on a very winnable mark today in a race that looks ready made for him.
He tried to make all for Gary Bartley at Newcastle a week ago but they were reeled in late on after looking home and hosed.
Rioja gets the chance to race off the same mark, he’ll have no problems with the surface and Josh Doyle takes three pounds off. I’ll drink to that.
Big Jim sneaks last year’s winner GONINODAETHAT (2.50) in off a mark of 60 and the run over course and distance behind Jinky last month will have put him spot on.
John Quinn’s EVANESCENT (3.20) ran a cracker on ground plenty quick enough for him on his seasonal bow at Thirsk. Today’s going will be more to his liking and he can go close for smart claimer Joe Doyle.
The O’Meara/Tudhope team have been in great form and course and distance winner MASTER BOND (4.50) should have a licence to thrill after his second at Thirsk on Saturday and will be happier on this easier ground.
■ Don Cossack has been made the highest-rated jumps horse of 2014/15 in the AngloIrish Jump Classification with a mark of 175. Gordon Elliott’s chaser crowned a tremendous campaign by winning both the Melling Chase at Aintree and the Punchestown Gold Cup, resulting in him being named champion in both the threemile-plus and the two-and-ahalf-mile chasing divisions.
He’s rated level with the likes of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate.
Coneygree became the first novice in 41 years to win the Gold Cup and earned a rating of 172, 1lb ahead of Vautour.
Faugheen tops the hurdle ratings with the 174 achieved at Prestbury Park, putting him behind only Istabraq (176) and Hurricane Fly (175).