THE recent weather has certainly reminded us that the autumn jumps season is kicking off with Bangor and Huntingdon both staging cards with testing conditions. Huntingdon stage their first meeting since May and this Cambridgeshire track is one of my favourites, whilst in contrast Nottingham are nearing the end of their flat season and certainly have a good card with plenty of prize money on offer this afternoon. A special mention for Chris Eason at Nottingham, who is such a good promoter of both racing and events at this popular racecourse.
12.45 Bangor 2m 1½f Novices’ Handicap Chase
Emissaire for in form Lucinda Russell’s yard won a bumper on the heavy and whilst his hurdle form trailed off on his last two starts, his pedigree suggests he will want a fence. He has a good each way chance in a contest where the form pair Beni Light and Noble Mission both have questions to answer on the forecast slow ground.
Unibet 17/2 each way
1.35 Huntingdon 2m Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Nordano stayed well on the Flat for Mark Johnston and almost got off the mark at the first attempt for his new trainer Neil King at Kempton when second beaten a neck over today’s trip. You can bet he’s been well schooled and should be on the premises here, with Bryony Frost taking the ride.
Unibet 12/1 each way
2.55 Nottingham 6f Nursery Handicap
Daddies Diva for Rod Millman won here earlier in the year (over 5f) in very testing conditions, so won’t mind how deep the ground gets. She needs to put a couple of moderate efforts behind her but she is well drawn here and gets some headgear for the first time. Looks well handicapped now and has a good each way chance.
Unibet 12/1 each way
4.55 Nottingham 5f Handicap
Wrenthorpe likes it here, a win and close second in two starts, handles soft ground and comes here in good form. Stall 8 possibly not ideal but still looks the most likely winner.
Unibet 10/3 win
5.10 Kempton 7f Handicap
Gavi Di Gavi (NAP) didn’t enjoy the soft ground on his penultimate start at Doncaster and was clearly suited by Kempton when winning over today’s trip earlier this month. Nicola Currie smoothly took her charge from last to first that day, with this four-year-old doing his best work in the last furlong. Currie takes the ride here again for Alan King and Gavi Di Gavi can defy the 5lb higher mark.
Unibet 11/8 win
