Well the first of our British Spring festivals is upon us. Many months of tall reputations and plots are about to crumble over the coming days, while 27 alone will be victorious. The weather is doing it's level best to thwart the first day but the covers are on and the racecourse is bracing itself for a bitterly cold night. Fingers crossed !
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| You can almost hear the 'Roar' |
Here's our thoughts on day 1
Supreme Novices
Some solid form on offer here with My Tent Or Yours, Jezki, Champagne Fever and Dodging Bullets, along with Un Atout who has huge unexposed potential. With the ground turning soft we fancy Champagne Fever. Willie Mullins was very positive about his chances and Ruby rides this rather than the Nicholls runner. His Grade 1 win last time looks good. Dodging Bullets offers some each-way value.
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| Champagne Fever |
Arkle
A 2 horse affair with one of my favourite horses in training, the fantastic die-hard Overturn, up against the potential superstar Simonsig. With the softening ground it is with a heavy heart that we go for the Henderson horse as we'd love McCain's charge to snatch it. He will make the running and if Simonsig has any chinks in the armour then Overturn will expose them. Back Overturn without Simonsig.
JLT Chase
Our Mick laid out for this since last year and a worthy favourite. Jonjo always targets h'cap chases at the festival so Merry King massively respected. If you're looking for an each way at a big price then Hey Big Spender or Planet Of Sound are sliding nicely down the weights.
Champion Hurdle
You can read about this till the cows come home today so we'll be short and sweet. Its Zarkander for with Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby filling the places.
Cross Country
We have this as a straight match between Arabella Boy and Bostons Angel although at the prices Boston's gets the vote. A former RSA winner who didn't seem to progress, he has took well to these unique tests. His last run can be ignored as struggled over some of the banks but this is an easier course. Recommended to back him each way. We also think Shakervilz is an amazing price each way.
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| Boston's Angel (right) |
Mares Hurdle
Well this is all about Quevega going for the 5 timer. Best bet for us is Kentford Grey Lady e/w. Has ran well over the winter and trip and ground are much more suitable here. For a big each way value Alasi appears very overpriced.
UPDATE : Hills are 5/2 on Une Artiste 'without Quevega' which looks value.
Novices h'cap
A very competetive handicap here but JP McManus has a plot horse in Colour Squadron. This race is for novices rated 140 or less. If Colour Squadron had won last time he would have gone over that threshold. The race comments read 'held up ... headway 4th last ... went 2nd closing stages ... etc.'. Recommended bet each way at just over 5-1. Similarly Carlito Brigante has been laid out for this, so much so he has been off the track proper since November but a recent all weather run will have him fit. His 4th behind Dynaste, Fingal Bay and Unioniste is the hottest novice form this season. For bigger prices look at the frustratingly inconsistent Restless Harry at 50-1 but particularly Ohio Gold, his form is very good and 20-1 is way too big.
Good luck whatever you back !
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