Atlanta is top for our tipster Blazin squad
JACOBS’
The Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50) – a hugely competitive staying chase with a stand-out performer on form shown this season in top weight, Vinndication.
However, you could argue the each-way plays are Mister Malarky and Kildisart, first and a strong finishing fifth in the Grade Three Betway Handicap Chase at Kempton.
Better ground would probably suit that pair, though, and with the weather having turned again with rain expected tomorrow, then the call has to be who ran very well in the NH Chase last year.
Of the remainder, the mare La Bague Au Roi is also feared.
According to the betting, Nicky Henderson has a real hold on the Coral Cup (2.50), a race he has captured three times with Spirit River, Whisper and with William Henry 12 months ago.
This time around he has the ante-post market leader in the form of Birchdale who blew out in a novice chase in November, but won a grade two novice hurdle at the track just over a year ago.
Henderson also has the classy mare Dame De Compagnie lined up for this but it is his third string,
that I like best. He came home like a steam train to land the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton and a fast run 2m5f on this much stiffer track looks sure to suit. At a bigger price, the well-weighted Saglawy could hit the frame for Willie Mullins.
The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (4.50), formerly the Fred Winter, is always an ultra-competitive affair with Paul Nicholls’ runners always worth watching out for.
has been the market leader since the lists came out and cemented that position when hosing up at Naas last time out. Nicholls has the unexposed Thyme White entered, while Tronador could also go well.
Last year’s Pertemps Hurdle (2.10) winner Sire Du Berlais has to defy a
7lbs higher mark this time around but has experienced the perfect prep for this and along with stablemate The Storyteller gives Gordon Elliott a strong hand here.
Phoenix Way is less exposed and I know that Harry Fry thinks the world of him but he is short on experience and I much prefer the each-way claims of
He finished off nicely behind Skandiburg at the track on New Year’s Day and has a nice pull in the weights. Henry Daly has kept him fresh and there are far worse
25-1 shots during the four days of action.
I think the Grand Annual Handicap Chase (4.50) looks an above-average renewal and the hugely progressive looks sure to go close if he maintains his improvement.
Unbeaten in three starts over fences to date, his jumping has been brilliant and at around 7-1 he looks a solid wager.
But I am also going to back him up with Nicky Henderson’s
a never-nearer seventh in this event last year. Since then, this 25-1 shot has dropped 6lbs in the handicap and he will appreciate the drying ground and end-to-end gallop.