LARGE CAN LAND FANS A BIG WIN
KEL DU LARGE is expected to maintain his unbeaten record on his jumping debut in the Daily Racing Specials At PlanetSportBet Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle at Hereford.
The No Risk At All gelding looked a smart recruit when making much of the running in an Exeter bumper on his racecourse bow, earning him a step up to Listed class at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
Prominent in the market, the Jane Williams- trained four- year- old made it two from two without much fuss in testing conditions, with the winning margin just under three lengths.
Obvious
The runner- up Dirty Den did not do much for the form when well beaten on his next start at Newbury, but Kel Du Large is nevertheless an exciting prospect and looks well placed to complete his hat- trick.
Point- to- point winner and bumper runner- up Largy Force is an obvious contender for the Best Odds Guaranteed
By MIKE FRANCIS
At PlanetSportBet Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
The six- year- old was picked up for £ 85,000 after winning between the flags in Ireland and made an encouraging start to her career under rules for Warren Greatrex when filling second place at Catterick in December.
She moved stylishly into contention that day, but was ultimately unable to land a telling blow on the winner Wilful, who has since gone close to following up under a penalty at the same track.
Largy Force should improve for that initial experience and with a clear round looks sure to make her presence felt on her hurdling debut.
Abingworth looks the most solid option in the Download The PlanetSportBet App Handicap Chase.
While each of his rivals were well beaten on their most recent appearances, Gary Moore’s charge arrives in fine form, with two secondplace finishes sandwiching a victory at Taunton.
He was nabbed right on the line by Force De Frap at Ludlow last time, pulling nicely clear of the remainder. Compensation awaits.
In D’Or may come good in the Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Hurdle.
The six- year- old was a fairly expensive purchase at € 140,000, having shown a good level of form at Auteuil, including a runner- up finish behind French star Ile Est Francais in 2022.
He made his British debut for Venetia Williams and owner- rider David Maxwell after nine months on the sidelines at Fontwell last January, but was well beaten in third, while his comeback run after another 11 months off at Plumpton in December was only slightly better.
Placed
However, he should strip fitter for that run and an opening mark of 110 for his first start in a handicap looks very workable.
Celtic Sea sets a fair standard in the concluding Play Beat Sav! At PlanetSportBet Open National Hunt Flat Race.
The Evan Williamstrained gelding was beaten half a length by a more experienced horse with placed form in Ted’s Gift on his introduction at Ludlow last time.
Taking on a clutch of newcomers, he is expected to go one better here. Talented Ferny Hollow is the star of the show at Naas, as he makes his first competitive start in 791 days in the Grade Three Newlands Chase.
It is fast approaching four years since the Westerner gelding carried the Cheveley Park Stud colours to Cheltenham Festival success in the Champion Bumper and he has only run three times since, scoring on his sole start over hurdles before injury curtailed his campaign.
He looked to have maintained all of his ability when winning each of his first two starts over fences the following season though, including a Grade One at Leopardstown, and while he must overcome an even longer absence this weekend, Willie Mullins would surely not be bringing him back half cooked.
SELECTIONS
HEREFORD: 2.10 Southern Sam, 2.40 KEL DU LARGE ( NAP), 3.10 Largy Force, 3.40 Abingworth, 4.10 In D’Or, 4.40 Bertie B, 5.10 Celtic Sea.
NAAS: 1.25 Wodhooh, 1.55 Shoot The Blues, 2.25 La Malmason, 2.55 Ferny Hollow, 3.25 Zoffanien, 3.55 Ladybank, 4.25 Wingmen.