MOUSE KNOWS JUST HOW
FILL up your racing knowledge bank with an each-way punt on
WHATSNOTOKNOW (4.55)
in the feature Grade B Carrickmines Handicap Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Not surprisingly on a day lacking in quality racing so close to the Cheltenham Festival, this extended two-mile and five furlong event stands out and the selection, just off the placed horses in the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Prestbury Park last year, could surprise.
The Mouse Morris trainee is 0-8 over fences but that hides several good runs in the context of this race, notably his seventh behind Coko Beach in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase two weeks ago.
Dropped 2lbs for that fair performance, he can take advantage of the weight he is set to receive from both Birchdale and Panda Boy. Expect a big spring campaign from the lightly raced PRESENT SOLIDER (2.35) as he bids to lose his maiden hurdle tag. He was a real eye-catcher last time out at Punchestown and can see off market rival Parmenian. At Huntingdon, with Rocky Lake a beaten odds-on favourite last time out and The Big Lense in the pocket of the handicapper, the well-treated STRIKING A
POSE (3.35) should take all the beating.
Good ground is the sevenyear-old’s preserve and this is his easiest task since seeing off Jay Bee Why on his chasing debut 15 months ago.
In the following race, the veteran WYE AYE (4.10) can take advantage of a very favourable hurdles mark in the staying event.
Rated 16lbs higher over fences, won off 115, he is set to race off a mark of 95 here so a repeat of anything like his best form should make him a massive player against Let’s Go Amigo and Robbie Dazzler.
But the best bet at the Cambridgeshire track could be SWINGING LONDON (3.00) in the two-mile handicap hurdle. A fine sixth of 21 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham almost a year ago, he has been set some stiff tasks in the meantime. With the promising Lewis Stones taking another 5lbs off his back, he should have too much class for Rewired. The normally sodden turf at Ffos Las will host ground described as good to soft and that should suit big outsider
VIA DANTE (2.45) and
EMORELLE (3.20). The former has struggled with the winter turf of late but has a squeak at a massive price now the handicapper has relented.
The last named was never going well after an early mistake last time out and runs off a careerlow handicap mark here.