Surface: Turf
Going: Good, Good to soft in places
12:30 The JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial
(registered as The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle)
2m 87y (Grade 2 9 runners)We start off with a race for 3yo's as a trial for the Triumph Hurdle, nine runners, including a recent recruit from France Yorksea now in the care of Gary Moore. Plenty in with chances but the outstanding form so far appears to lie with Paul Nicholls ex French horse Magistrato who easily took a Chepstow race beating Rocky Man by 12l, the latter re-opposes here again for the Dan Skelton yard. Knight Salute [Won @9/2] might be the one to give the favourite most to do, two wins over hurdles and beat a well fancied Henderson runner last time at Kempton.
Winner - (2) Knight Salute @9/2 [P J Brennan].
1:05 Jewson Tool Hire Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase
(Conditional Jockeys’ and Amateur Riders)
3m 1f (Class 3 13 runners)
Large field of chasers now with amateurs riders in the driving seats, we look at the experience of many of these but the form is unlikely to stand up with jumping and control required for such a large field. Looking at the likes of Head to the Stars [Non Runner] for example, recently either pulled up or wins ! Which might it be today I wonder. Top weight here is Opposites Attract, the 7yo will probably jump around but in his own time and might plod on for a place but look elsewhere for the win. Mindsmadeup did win at Down Royal last time out, making all there which could be a good ploy here. Although it wasn't much of a race that Minella Encore won at Fakenham last time he will stay and could have a say at the finish.Winner - (14) Strictlyadancer @9/4f [Mr Ben Bromley].
1:40 The From The Horse's Mouth Podcast Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices Steeple Chase
2m (Grade 2 4 runners)
Just the four declared for this Arkle trial, headed by Captain Top Cat (Dr Newland) winning last time out in a good novice chase but is likely to have plenty to find with Third Time Lucki in the field too. Dan Skelton's chaser won well last time around here and ought to be hard to beat again on his second start over the larger fences, looks likely to be odds on here. Mick Pastor (Paul Nicholls) was beaten by captain tom cat last time and might be able to turn the tables today with a few better jumps here. The field is completed by Sebastopol (T Lacey) who has a string of seconds to his name, 20l behind Mick Pastor at Exeter last time in a match but can complete for the place money on offer with only a small field.Winner - (2) Third Time Lucki @2/5F [Harry Skelton].
2:15 The Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeple Chase
2m 4f 44y (Grade 3 19 runners)The feature race of the day, now sponsored by Paddy Power, a decent field of twenty have been declared. Won last year by Coole Cody (pictured above) who ought to line up again and was runner up at this course last month. There are plenty of old hands returning again, Aso will bowl along for Venetia Williams and soft ground would see that one in with a chance, while Lalor is another that hasn't really hit the headlines as once suggested and has now joined Paul Nicholls yard and they might be able to re-energise this one but maybe not today. Al Dancer has also moved stabled, with Sam Thomas now and although pulled up last time, should be seen to better effect over this trip and course. While at a large price and low in the handicap Nietzsche can certainly run onto place at least and a recent run on the flat should have prepared him for a return to chasing under Brian Ellison.
Winner - (8) Midnight Shadow @9/1 [Ryan Mania].
2:50 The Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (Listed)
2m 7f 208y (Class 1 9 runners)We return to hurdling now after the big race is complete, a field of eleven are declared, led by Sporting John [Won @9/2] who ought to appreciate the return to smaller obstacles having been pulled up over the Aintree fences last time. Dan Skelton trains the next pair with Proschema (Harry Skelton) the apparent preference over Shannon Bridge (Bridget Andrews). Ballymillsy represents the Nigel Twiston Davies yard, and his 5yo already had a win this season at Newton Abbot, will take some stopping even with this step up in grade. While lurking at the bottom of the weights here is Kansas City Chief who won the Pertemps hurdle here last month at a big price, and despite advancing years (12yo now) don't discount as his experience of this course could well count after the last.
Winner - (1) Sporting John @9/2 [T J O'Brien].
3:25 The Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Intermediate Handicap Hurdle
2m 5f (Class 2 11 runners)
Headed by Benson who was already a three time winner over hurdles and maybe the heavy ground was a big factor when only fourth last time out. Mackelduff has only raced four times winning his last two the most recent of which quite impressive at Aintree and despite his inexperience clearly one to consider for the future. Unexpected Party is fairly unexposed, won by 8l last time and in excellent hands to continue to progress into handicaps if he handles this track and the hill might be aimed at something in March. Winner - (4) Gowel Road @13/2 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
3:55 The Karndean Design Flooring Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed)
2m 87y (Class 1 15 runners)
We conclude with a two mile bumper, looks extremely open but nothing really outstanding leaps out here. Would not be a race that I would personally get involved with too much but if you are going to do so then would suggest a close eye is kept on both front running filly Betty's Belle and Code Name Lise. While support for Dan Skelton's Signal Point might be significant suggesting that she's shown some improvement as a 5yo follow two average looking runs as a 4yo.Winner - (4) Bonttay @2/1F [PJ Brennan].
An update for Sunday's meeting should also be available soon including news of any further inspections if needed.
An update for Sunday's meeting should also be available soon including news of any further inspections if needed.
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