Just a few short weeks to the Cheltenham Festival and I’m sure we are all looking forward to some wonderful competitive sport from some of the best equine athletes in the jumping game.
I have a couple of bits of advice you should heed; only bet with bookmakers offering a non runner money back guarantee and because of the extreme wet weather conditions that horses have had to endure this Winter don’t take current form at face value as on drier ground form can be turned upside down.
It’s amazing how the world of a jockey can change in the course of a short period. Last week young Josh Moore enjoyed the highlight of his career when he steered Well Regarded to victory in the Haydock Grand National Trial and just the other Saturday at Doncaster his mount Dashing George ducked out and crashed through the rail leaving Josh with a dislocated collar bone and nerve damage.
Dad Gary said it was a serious injury and the lad could be out for some months. These guys risk life and limb in their chosen profession so please lets hear a lot less criticism when they make human errors as we all do from time to time.
It’s one thing having a go at our footballers on film star money but these men of steel deserve our utmost respect even when our money goes astray.
The racing today is just bread and butter but lets hope we can find a little jam with Howies Hottie in the 3.20 at Bangor. This is a 3 mile handicap hurdle and the selection is the Paul Webber trained Sarando.
Now one of the methods I like in winner finding is to look for horses that have a much higher rating over fences than when they run over the smaller obstacles. Well Sarando was rated 153 when he ran in the 2011 Hennessy and today he runs off a mark of just 120.
Paul has said the gelding has been so unlucky with falls and injuries over the last few years but he has slowly been nursing this talented individual back to full health. I have no doubt that this race is a confidence booster before he goes chasing again but he could well take this event on the way to better things.
Did you see Arsenal have declared record profits for the last year and with the money coming in from the Emirates for the stadium name Wenger could have 300 million at his disposal. My guess the board will keep the lot and turn their trophy cabinet into another corporate box.
EYECATCHERS
Quinz trainer P.Hobbs – Ran a cracker in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton after being off for well over a year. It was only lack of fitness that counted against him and he could be a live contender at the Festival or in the National.
Temple Road trainer M Bradley – Down the field when strongly fancied at Lingfield. He pulled far too hard using up so much energy in the early stages and had nothing left at the business end. This was not his true running and after consulting his owner I believe we should all keep the faith as this is an improving gelding.
Blue Jack Trainer S.Williams – This is more a tip than an eyecatcher. This horse could well be one of the best handicapped animals in training. He is in the same ownership as Temple Road and was not allowed to run in last Saturday’s race because of some red tape. Connections will soon be looking for compensation and he could even be one to follow when the turf Season starts.
Amana trainer M.Brisbourne – A very unlucky loser when denied a clear run at Kempton he is primed to strike very soon.
Cardinal trainer R.Cowell – The trainer is no relation to Simon but I’m sure he will find the X factor with this gelding. I noted him staying on at Wolverhampton after a slow start. Might want a fast run race over 5 or even 6 furlongs.
Back next Wednesday have a great week and be lucky.
Howard Davis.
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