The start of 2021 has already seen several meeting succumb to the bad weather, and as well as the lockdown now in place no customers / supporters can attend either. The meetings we lost included some high calibre races, not least the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow from December but also key fixtures at Cheltenham lost on New Years Day.
Although some of the meetings are due to inspect on Friday we will update the key races over the weekend which include those that we lost recently. Looks like most will have fairly small fields except of course for the Welsh National and hopefully all will survive the weather this weekend.
Rearranged races at Wincanton (Saturday)
Going: Good to soft (inspection midday Friday)
- Passed their inspection on Friday, but a 'precautionary inspection' has been arranged for 8am Saturday.
Meeting goes ahead !!
14:05 "The Dipper" Novices Chase (Grade 2).
2m 4f 35y 3 runners.
The first of our feature races here, at the early entries stage only three runners were declared. Protektorat the likely short price favourite for this race, trained by Dan Skelton and part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson. Winner of both his chases so far this season and expected to rise high in the ranks, obviously the one to beat today. The clear pick to give him most to do would be Alan King's Messire Des Obeaux who runs in the famous double green silks of Simon Munir, won his first chase in December on soft ground. The trio is completed by Lieutenant Rocco this 6yo might find this a bit tricky but there is prize money for completing and you never know over fences, should anything happen to the other two.....
Result: (3) Messire Des Obeaux @9/4 [D Jacob].
Rearranged at Kempton Park (Saturday)
Going: Hurdle: Soft [Good to soft in places]
Chase: Good to soft [Soft in places]
- Also has to pass an 8am inspection on Saturday.
Meeting goes ahead !!
14:20 Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2).
2m 5f 7 runners.
This Grade Two contest should have taken place at Cheltenham on New Years Day but the Relkeel Hurdle is usually well attended and the runners include last years winner Summerville Boy who should find this trip more suitable. On The Blind Side steps up in class and Nicky Henderson's inmate should be noted in the betting, he also runs Call Me Lord but that one hasn't won for a while and while the trip looks fine I would rather be on the other one here.
Paul Nicholls runs Mcfabulous an improving hurdler who bolted up in Persian War at Chepstow before excellent third to Thyme Hill in 3m Grade 2 at Newbury. (fading from last having travelled strongly throughout). Should be a big player back in trip and maybe the one to beat.
Result: (5) Mcfabulous @10/11f [Harry Cobden].
14:55 Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2)
2m 4f 110y 4 runners
Imperial Aura (Kim Bailey 8yo) A most progressive chaser who continued his climb up the rankings with emphatic win in Ascot's '1965 Chase' 49 days ago winning by 5l from Itchy Feet. A fine jumper who has more to offer, so the one to beat here. Riders On the Storm (Nigel Twiston-Davies 8yo) Ex-Irish chaser who made most impressive start for this stable last term, completing hat-trick in Ascot Chase. Well-beaten third of 4 in Shloer Chase at Cheltenham on return though so bit to prove.
Clondaw Castle (Tom George 9yo) Ended last season on a high and has improved again this term, bagging 20f Newbury handicap before third to Mister Fisher in Peterborough Chase at Cheltenham. He needs considering in this small field. Master Tommytucker (Paul Nicholls 10yo) Scored readily at Haydock and Huntingdon (match) in November before seventh of 17 in Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham when he paid for doing far too much in front. Not dismissed back in this small field for the leading trainer who of course trained the horse this race is named after.
Result: (4) Master Tommytucker @2/1 [Harry Cobden].
Chepstow
Going: Heavy (further inspection planned for 8am Saturday)
Meeting goes ahead !!
13:25 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
2m 11y 8 runners
Adagio (David Pipe) Won juveniles at Warwick and Cheltenham since joining this yard and second in Grade 2 at Cheltenham in between. Likely to be competitive again along with Houx Gris (Paul Nicholls) Bumper/hurdle winner in France who was bought for €200,000 in November and has joined a top yard enjoying another excellent season. Very likely the one they have to beat is Nassalam (Gary Moore) Another French recruit who has looked potentially very smart when wide-margin winner of two juveniles in the mud at Fontwell for new yard. Can take the step up in class in his stride.
Result: (1) Adagio @5/2 [Tom Scudamore].
15:10 Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase
3m 6f 130y 18 runners
The Coral Welsh Grand National delayed from December but at least (hopefully) run at Chepstow in the mud as expected, a 3m 6f slog for which Yala Enki (Paul Nicholls) heads the weights. Placed in the last two running's of this, a good second on reappearance at Cheltenham and ought to be in the mix if none the worse for an early fall in the Becher at Aintree, place bet for us again. (3rd 12/1) Trainer also runs Truckers Lodge in this again (runner up last year) up in the weights but my preference of these is with Yala Enki.
David Pipe runs two as well Ramses De Teillee (Tom Scudamore rides) Has a good strike rate and better than ever in process when narrowly seeing off Yala Enki at Cheltenham in November, wasn't at his best over the national fences last time, yard also run Vieux Lion Rouge (Conor O'Farrell) added to excellent record over Aintree's National fences when notching second win in Becher.
Prime Venture represents one of two solid contenders for his yard (Evan Williams) A good fourth in this last year off 4 lb lower and finally got off the mark over fences in 3-runner Sedgefield novice handicap on reappearance. Preference would be for Secret Reprieve and jockey Adam Wedge who has been amongst the winners of late, a low-mileage horse who posted a smart effort when seeing off The Two Amigos by 12 lengths in 3m handicap here. Well treated under 4 lb penalty with more to come.
Result: (17) Secret Reprieve @5/2 [Adam Wedge].
Will update results later on Saturday, all the meetings have survived the weather and passed inspections so we hope that the weather stays kind during the day, and all the horses come back safe and sound.
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