JUMP racing from Haydock, Market Rasen and Chepstow this afternoon, with no all-weather racing on offer.
There are some disappointingly small fields and it is certainly an afternoon for those players who like to look to the top of the market.
Away from the favourites, I’m certainly interested in Kiwi Myth at Chepstow and the return of an favourite of mine Sirop De Menthe, who could run well at a big price.
The Cheltenham Festival 2019 had everything and most certainly lived up to all the anticipation. Firstly, a massive thanks to The Jockey Club and Jockey Club Catering for delivering a great show. It was an excellent call by Simon Claisse first thing on Wednesday and the relief was palpable amongst racegoers, who had endured a sleepless night checking wind speeds at 3am! Secondly, as someone who is presenting at The Festival you see all the hard work and dedication behind the scenes through the training days to Friday evening when all the racegoers have left. Each day there were 3,800 members of the catering team at the course and a big hats off to Phil Roberts, who heads the organising and planning at Cheltenham.
We had a terrific performance from Paisley Park and it was great to see Emma Lavalle and Andrew Gemmell celebrating an emotional success, whilst Altior showed us why he is an equine superstar. delivering a performance only he can on the main stage at Cheltenham. On the same day, Tiger Roll cruised up in the cross country and he is a true star in every way. Frodon and Bryony Frost pushed the emotional counter once again, whilst there were so many other great stories too with special congrats to Willie Mullins, who is great company, the retiring Noel Fehily and Ben Case, who had a day he will never forget with Croco Bay winning the Grand Annual.
Cheltenham is for everyone and The Festival 2019 did just that.
2.10 Haydock Hurdle 1m 7½f
CHAMBARD will appreciate the testing conditions and he can strike with another winner for the Venetia Williams team.
He won well at Exeter, ahead of following up with a good second at Ludlow and Carlisle.
Unibet win 13/8
2.20 Chepstow Hurdle 2m 7½f
AMERICAN LIFE for Milton Harris is very well handicapped on the best of his form, and there’s just been some signs of life on his last couple of starts that all may not be lost. With the yard back among the winners, he’s worth a second look in a weak race.
Unibet each way 13/2
2.30 Market Rasen
SHANROE TIC TEC can complete a 12 day hat-trick under a penalty for the Ben Pauling yard.
At Sandown he stayed on well to be the favourite Bonne Question ahead of following up at Huntingdon last week.
Ground conditions will suit and Lilly Pinchin once again takes the ride
Unibet win 15/8
2.50 Chepstow Chase 3m
KIWI MYTH (nap) for Fiona Shaw hadn’t shown a lot before coming good at Exeter last time, beating an in-form (if tricky to win with) rival in Big Time Frank with the step up in trip to 3 miles seemingly working the oracle. Won’t mind the ground and every chance of following up from 5lb higher.
Unibet each way 11/2
5.05 Chepstow Hurdle 2m 3½f
SIROP DE MENTHE hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth to Boyhood (ran at the Cheltenham Festival) in November 2017 and if he retains enough ability this nine-year-old has certainly been given the chance by the handicapper.
Winner of seven races, he was mixing it in style back it 2016, splitting Rayvin Black and Melodic Rendezvous at Sandown Park.
Unibet each way 18/1
