Anay chance of a repeat
Nigel Hawke may not have yet reached the heights as a trainer that he did as a jockey, but the Devonshire handler has still enjoyed success on the big stage and may do so again this afternoon courtesy of ANAY TURGE (Cheltenham, nb, 1.50).
Hawke, who partnered 1991 grand National hero Seagram to victory, sent out the likeable grey to win the corresponding handicap 12 months ago and there appears good reason for believing the stars are aligning in the selection’s favour once more.
The nine-year-old has slipped to a competitive mark after a couple of below-par efforts at the back end of last season, while the handicapper dropped him 3lb following his seasonal reappearance, which history suggests is always needed.
His yard found some form on Sunday at Market Rasen when Master Neo obliged by 20 lengths and anay Turge looks a big price to repeat his efforts of last year with conditions to suit.
CHARINGWORTH (Cheltenham, 1.15) is another regular at this fixture having finished runnerup in the opening amateur riders’ event last term. kim Bailey’s charge was sent off 50-1 that day but there won’t be anything like that price available about the 11-year-old, especially after he chased home horse of the moment, The Young Master, at this track on his reappearance.
The downside with Charingworth is his aversion to the winner’s enclosure.
But the positives are his affinity for the track, the form of his stable and the presence of the excellent Harry Bannister in the saddle.
The selection has run well in defeat a number of times in the last 12 months and Bannister was again seen to good effect when partnering annaluna to victory at ludlow yesterday. Connections of CHAMPAGNE PRESENT (Cheltenham, nap, 3.00) won the Neptune investment Management Novices’ Hurdle with Black Jack ketchum in 2005, and it could be a hint the son of Presenting is allowed to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious forerunner.
i was really taken with the four-year-old when he made his debut f or Jonjo O’Neill at aintree and he may well have won if Tony McCoy was riding to full capacity that day.
He will need to step up on that performance to match the form of Blacklion, but he looks a horse of real class that day at liverpool and will hopefully confirm that impression here.