Cheltenham
2.50
Magic Of Light (Robert Power)
She has developed into a very good staying chaser and it was unfortunate that she came down in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse She was none the worse for that and she handles soft ground and the three miles and one trip should be fine for her. She has won around Newbury already this season and she is an improved mare that jumps and stays. She has been in great form and her work at home has been good and the good gallop they’ll go over here should suit her. She’ll need a bit of luck in running and if she gets that, she’ll run well.
4.10
Alletrix (Robert Power)
She likes proper soft ground and there is a good bit of rain forecast for Tuesday, so the softer the ground, the better for her. This will be her first time away and she has taken everything in her stride and she settled in well and looks great. She has a good bit to do on ratings, but her owner and I decided that we’d let her take her chance. She ran a very solid race the last day, when fourth behind Laurina in the good mares hurdle at Punchestown. We take on both the second and third in that Punchestown race (Stormy Ireland and Slowmotion) again today. We have to run off levels with Stormy Ireland today – we got 10lbs from her at Punchestown, so it won’t be easy and this looks a very good race. But they will go a good gallop and that will suit her and while she has a good bit to on official figures, we’ll give it a go and if she got into the money, I’d be delighted.
5.30
Whisperinthebreeze (Finny Maguire)
He was impressive when he made all to win what was a very competitive handicap over two miles and five the last day at Leopardstown and I’ve been very happy with him since. I had thought that he might get into the novice handicap chase, but he’s rated too high for that, so we’ll go for this instead. He was second over three miles and five on his penultimate start at Punchestown, so I have no doubt that he’ll get the trip and he’s a great jumper. I don’t think he’s ground dependant and if it’s very soft, it may turn into a real slog and he is one of the few that has run over three and a half miles plus, so stamina should not be an issue for him. He’s rated 7lbs inferior to the favourite OK Coral, but we have a very good rider in Finny Maguire and the horse is in super form and I think he’ll run a big race.
