Handicap Hotpot…

I was asked today which of our four runners in the Betfair Hurdle is the most well handicapped, but I’m afraid it is absolutely pointless me even bothering answering that question because we all know which horse it is and it isn’t one of ours, or even trained in this country for that matter!

Where the Handicapper has got to with Ocastle Des Mottes I have absolutely no idea; it is absolutely bizarre that he can race here off a 6lbs lower mark than in Ireland (where he is rated 139) how can that be? Come to England and get well handicapped, great – it is an absolute joke, although one that I am not laughing at!

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he appears to be completely thrown in on French ratings and Irish ratings and goodness only knows why he suddenly appears here off just 133, 6lbs lower than anywhere else! Maybe the handicapper has got his kilos and his pounds muddled up, or something like that, because this seems very strange and needs looking into.

NEWBURY

12:55

East India Express (Nico de Boinville)

He ran well in a good race at the same course last time and is a very nice horse going forward. The drop back in trip shouldn’t be a problem, but I am slightly concerned about the ground because it is going to be very testing.

1:30

Wiseguy (Nico De Boinville)

He won on Chase debut at Exeter, but I rather feel he isn’t particularly enjoying himself over fences so we’re switching back to hurdles, and he schooled very well over them earlier this week. This is a competitive race, but he is in good shape at home, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him bounce back to form.

On The Blind Side (James Bowen)

You all know just about as much as me where dear old On The Blind Side is concerned and I’m sure there is nothing I can add that you don’t already know. He won around here last spring at very big odds, so should never be ruled out and three miles on testing ground suits him well.

2:05

Shishkin (Nico de Boinville)

This race has pretty much always been the plan since the King George, and who knows what might’ve happened at Kempton had he not got rid of Nico after the penultimate fence. He looked to be galloping along merrily and enjoying himself so it’s anybody’s guess as to where he would have finished. The Gold Cup is where we want to be, therefore he probably needs to win this to be a genuine candidate for Cheltenham. Obviously that is over 3m2f, and he’s never raced over that far, but we’ll get this race out of the way and see where we stand. I was very impressed with Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown, and he will be hard to beat, but Shishkin is a very good horse himself and it would be great if he can emerge as a serious threat to the Mullins favourite.

3:15

We have four declared for this race and, in a normal year, they would each have very good chances in their own right.

Iberico Lord (Nico de Boinville) was very impressive in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle, where I must admit I really fancied him beforehand, but something was clearly amiss at Ascot afterwards and I’m afraid I can offer absolutely no explanation as to why. He has been fully checked over and we have found nothing – zilch, so I can only hope he was having an off day because he is an extremely smart horse and of the Seven Barows quartet, he’d be the one I’m least worried about on the ground.

Luccia (David Bass) has proven she handles soft ground, but I do feel she is more effective on better ground, and it will be a mammoth performance if she is able to win this off top weight.

I like Doddiethegreat (James Bowen) and he shouldn’t have a problem with the ground. It was a tough decision for Nico and he very nearly chose Doddie, so James could be in for a good ride. He’s almost entitled to reverse form with Go Dante on their Cheltenham run when he was conceding 6lbs, this time it’s only three, so there’s definitely a case to be made for him.

Under Control (Jonjo O’Neill Jnr) ran very well at Doncaster last time, where she was positioned too far back, but she’s come out of that in good order and looks very well. That said, I’m not convinced a race like this on extremely testing ground is what she really wants, so we’ll wait and see if she takes her chance.

3:50

Mister Coffey (Nico de Boinville)

He’s back in Novice Company and wasn’t disgraced in the Great Yorkshire last time. This smaller field, and calmer waters, will help and let’s see if he can make it 17^th time lucky over fences!

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