National Nibbles - Stephen Harris

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Welcome all to the first National Nibble.

We will be bringing you an exclusive interview each day and have some crackers lined up. We start with Stephen Harris, a former greyhound bookmaker at Oxford and Reading turned professional horseracing trader. Stephen provides tips for the excellent and very profitable free service at Betting Expert. Follow him on Twitter @stephenh61 for daily tips

So without further ado here are Stephen's 5 minute question and answers :

What are your earliest National memories?
The amateur Marcus Armytage winning on Mr Frisk ... it left me amazed as they went 5f pace from the off and sustained it the whole way round. The ground was on the hard side of firm and they went round on roller skates the whole way ... we will never see that again for sure

Which has been your favourite National so far?
Red Rum and Crisp. Although I didn't see it live it is still the most amazing turnaround and the riding styles never cease to amuse and amaze!

Which 2 horses would you put up against the field in this years renewal and why?
Cappa Bleu looks rock solid with proven course form and must go well. He travels really strongly and will hopefully get a more positive ride this time around from Paul Moloney. Ballabriggs looks over the odds aswell, although the number crunchers can't have him at all at the weights, he will give his running and won't mind the ground if it comes up very testing.

What effect do you think the new modifications to the start and the fences will have ?
Very little. All the talk is that the jocks will be told to "calm down and slow down", but the Grand National is such a huge race in their year that I can see the usual tear up happening at the tape. A shorter run to the first might even mean the field is less spaced out than usual...lets hope it passes without incident!

Bearing in mind the new changes, how many finishers do you predict this year ( given good to soft ground) ?
18

Grand National or Gold Cup?
The Grand National is an amazing spectacle...The Gold Cup is the blue riband to decide the best. The Grand National is virtually the only race that still gives me butterflies and real nervousness. For those of us who watch every jumps race all season and have done for about 20 years I guess that makes it very special!

Who would you consider to be a lively outsider in this years field?
Ballabriggs...been there and done it...although the McCain stable is struggling a bit since the latest cold snap.

What instructions would you give to a jockey riding in the National?
Be patient, stay up the inside and pray.

Who would you most like to spend a day at the Grand National with and why?
Obviously apart from the wife...I won't say Boris Johnson as I gather he is not too popular in Liverpool! Geoff Banks the on-course bookmaker is opinionated and good company at the races so I would choose him!

Where will you be watching the big race?
On the TV with all the family. The phone starts ringing at 8am with every relation asking for tips...so hopefully we can find them all a winner!

If you owned a horse that had just won the National how would you celebrate?
It would be a dream come true for sure....I guess it would involve a lot of drinking and eating and all the family/friends partying. Also I would probably expand my string with the million quid in prizemoney!!

Thanks for your insight Stephen and keep an eye out for tomorrows column and an upcoming exclusive as we interview the owner, trainer AND jockey of a National runner.

If like Stephen you fancy Cappa Bleu or Ballabriggs then BetVictor are paying an amazing 6 (SIX) places each way on the Grand National. To open an account AND get a free bet click here www.freeaintreebets.com

Across The Bay - an owner's perspective

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We've been fortunate enough to be involved in the journey of a National hopeful and enjoyed a fantastic day out at Haydock recently when Across The Bay won the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. This promising dual purpose horse appears to have improved again and goes to Aintree with more than a squeak. 'The Bay' also enjoyed a canter at Aintree this week (luckily before the snows came) with stablemate, Weird Al, which was featured on local TV news. With the excitement building to the big race, we spoke to Graham Worsley of the Scotch Piper syndicate about his journey with Across The Bay. (The Scotch Piper is a small pub in Lydiate and is famous for being the oldest pub in 'historic' Lancashire, dating back to 1320)

The Scotch Piper Inn

Early Doors
One night, over a small libation in the Scotch Piper, the suggestion of owning our own racehorse was mooted by Kevin Coyne to Graham and Mike Worsley. Discussions soon expanded to include Kevin's brother Anthony and Irish friends Frank Towey and Barry Brennan. The group decided to pursue the idea further and in early 2008 following a long, lazy Sunday lunch at the Cruzzo Restaraunt in Malahide, a concordat was reached ... we buy a horse. We all visited Noel Meade's yard and viewed 6 horses and with the expert eye of Keiron Towey, chose an unnamed bay gelding for €25,000. During a subsequent meal with Noel Meade in a fabulous restaraunt in Galway looking out "across the bay", the name became an obvious choice.

On his debut in April '08, Across The Bay came 3rd by 1 1/2L to Quiscover Fontaine (who interestingly we could meet at Aintree) in the fastest recorded Goffs Bumper at Punchestown on good ground. Following this, his first full season ended well with 2 wins, a 2nd, two 4ths (one of those back at the Punchestown festival again) and a 5th, all on the typical soft and heavy ground we're so used to seeing in the Emerald Isle. (Looking back we ran pretty well against some fairly stiff competition in the first few seasons, up against the likes of The Midnight Club, Voler La Vedette, Mourad and Bluesea Cracker and notably we beat Colbert Station by a distance on our first hurdle victory). Our 3rd season with Noel started well with 'The Bay' winning his debut in chase company after a few warm-ups over the smaller obstacles. On his very next run, he was just touched off by subsequent Grade 1 winner Jadanli and this prompted us to take the ambitious route of a crack at the Irish National on only his 3rd chase start and after goong off as short as 14/1, Paul Carberry unseated at just the 2nd fence. A quick reappearance just a week later saw him finish a staying-on 2nd in a G2 novice chase and he was put away for the season. It was probably at this point we began to notice his tremendous staying abilities.

The following season was very mixed despite winning a Pertemps Qualifier and the syndicate felt disenchanted with Across The Bay's progress. It was in that season at Fairyhouse in April '11 when the connections discussed whether we should move the horse over to England. At the Punchestown meeting in May the syndicate approached Ginger McCain before our race and asked would he take a closer look at Across The Bay. Ginger's candid post race comment was just "send him over to Donald, he'll sort him out for you".

Ginger said "Send him over to Donald !"

Happy Hours
After his last race at Punchestown it was agreed to put the horse through the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales and (via Donald McCain) the current owners purchased the horse for £10,000. Our campaign over the '11/'12 season, at the Owners' request, was to concentrate on hurdling and have some fun. We asked Donald could we race at Aintree, Haydock and Cheltenham to which he burst out laughing and then agreed. The horse, although without a win in the season, subsequently grew in stature and confidence. First time up at Aintree he was beaten by Rival D'Estruval but beat the ill-fated Synchronised. The season culminated with a delightful 3rd place finish against Big Buck's in the Liverpool Hurdle at last year's Grand National meeting. We were back on track !

Across The Bay leading them on the first circuit at Aintree

This season though has been a vintage one for the syndicate. We have had some fantastic fun days out starting at Kelso with a decent handicap before thumping an admittedly clearly unfit Cappa Bleu in a class 2 graduation chase at Carlisle. The bar was then raised again with a trip to Aintree. We would be taking on Aintree festival winners Quito De La Roque and Wayward Prince with the classy Calgary Bay making up the quartet. 'The Bay' put up a great effort leading just before the last and eventually going down by 2 1/2L to Wayward Prince and we were giving him 6lb. On top of that he didn't seem to be as fluent as he can be that day. If he had won that day an ambitious tilt at The Lexus at Leopardstown was planned simply because the handicapper would have annihilated the horse. As it was he didn't win and we plodded off to Chepstow for the weather delayed Welsh National where he would burden top-weight in some very soft ground. We were more hopeful than expectant. He was chasing the leading pack a mile from home and was passing horses when something that had happened before reoccurred. He 'gurgled'. For the unfamiliar, this is when a horse struggles to take in enough air due to a slightly displaced palate in the throat. Jason reported he was trying to pull his arms off but just couldn't breathe well enough to fulfill that desire. As it was he finished a very respectable 7th and was immediately whisked off for a soft palate procedure, which is becoming a lot more commonplace in racing these days I've noticed. At the same time we entered him at the first stage for the ultimate prize, The Grand National. Now I hear some of you say 'but the Gold Cup is the ultimate prize' and I am not disagreeing here, however, when you live so close to Aintree the place draws you in and you feel an affiliation and affection just simply driving past the magnificent new grandstands for example. Or even pulling into the train station across the road and seeing 'home of the grand national' signs. It almost makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. So our dream has always been the Grand National and we appreciate how lucky we are that with our first foray into racing we not only own a horse good enough to qualify, but also who could go to Aintree with a live chance of winning the damn thing!
Anyway, we digress, so just over a week after the operation, he was back in full work and the National Trial at Haydock was his next target. As a precaution, he was also entered in The Rendlesham Hurdle, a nice prize in its own right, and also the Pertemps Qualifier. The ground came up very heavy that week following snow melt and rain, indeed the going stick read at 4.1 on the morning of the race, and rather than give him a hard race over the fences we decided the hurdle route was best. He was still a decent hurdler remember, liked the track and went on the ground, so without being too bullish we were very hopeful of a good show. What happened next though was magical. Jason and Donald had gone to Ascot for a promising novice called Up And Go, so the lovely Beryl McCain chapperroned us for the day and Henry would sit up top. Henry had ridden him 3 times before including his win at Kelso in October so knew him very well. In the parade ring, we discussed tactics and I told Henry to keep him up with the pace but Henry had a certain glint in his eye that said "don't worry Graham... I know exactly what to do here". He went straight off in front and was never headed. Coming into the straight a challenge was mounted by several of the other runners but 'The Bay' showed incredible guts and fight and kept finding more when asked. We won the hardest way possible, it was a front running performance and a half over 3 miles on heavy ground. Moreover, we knew the breathing operation had worked. I was so incredibly proud that day. I had booked a table in the owners and trainers restaurant for my 2 daughters and their boyfriends along with some friends (@aintreeinfo was lucky enough to be one of those friends) and felt like a child showing off his best toy at school. All the hours talking, planning, worrying and at times some abject frustration had paid off with his biggest prize to date. All systems go for Aintree !!!!

Brooke and Bay on the way to their Rendlesham victory

New Landlord ?
Out of the blue, I received a call from Donald. Could I meet him to discuss a bid for 'The Bay' ... Donald would be at Bangor the next day and asked if I could get there. All I knew was it was a six figure bid with a share of any National winnings. I cleared my diary and started on the 'hotline' to Kevin and Anthony. We discussed the options, our thoughts and the consensus was to politely decline. I would go and meet Donald regardless to hear the full story. The next day I met Donald at Bangor and we talked. The details of the deal were presented and I informed Donald that the three of us had discussed it at length (about 60 seconds in reality) but we were not interested. He was delighted saying that he wouldn't sell either !

We do not go to Aintree lightly and there is always the worry in the back of the mind that he will not come home in the horsebox. His easy front-running style should suit Aintree though and hopefully keep him out of trouble and Henry rides him as well as anyone, indeed the 2 seem to have struck up a relationship to rival the best double acts. Torvill and Dean ... Morecambe and Wise. In the same vein, Brooke and Bay has a certain ring to it methinks.

The Scotch Piper Syndicate with Henry Brooke

Last orders ? 
We will continue to run 'The Bay' as long as he enjoys it. When he's had enough he will let us know. He's always been a bit lazy (or clever maybe), in that he has surprised us on many occasions and at the age of 9 still seems to be improving.

If like us, you fancy Across The Bay's chances then BetVictor are paying an amazing 6 (SIX) places each way, to open an account AND get a free bonus just click here www.freeaintreebets.com

Cheltenham day 4 - what is Bob Worth?

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Well after a great day on Thursday we hope the trend of improving every day continues. We had both big race winners and a host of placed horses (8/1, 9/1, 9/1, 10/1, 20/1, 20/1) .... Boom in !

Onto day 3 action, where the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the star turn. The ground has been steadily drying all week and the scene is set, although heavy rain is forecast in the afternoon which may just require horses to have that extra bit of stamina going up the Cheltenham hill. A recipe for almost perfect jumping ground. So the stage is set ... by 3.30 today we will know who has the leading role and who are the bit-parts.

Day 4

Triumph hurdle
In the big novice hurdle division it's 1-1 this week between the english and irish. This seems another head to head between Our Connor and Far West. This is a close call but we have to go with Our Connor. I think we can expect a good run from Kashmir Peak. This fella is highly regarded and after winning a Grade 2 at Doncaster he fell when mounting a challenge against a useful Nicholls yardstick who reopposes here. John Quinn also has a knack of producing spring novices like Countrwide Flame and Blythe Knight. Swynmor is also a fascinating entry at an astonishing price. The former useful flat racer was looking like the easy winner of the Finale hurdle at Chepstow when falling at the last, he is way too big at around 25/1.

County hurdle
Another very competitive handicap (as if we hadn't had enough of those this week) and a race usually targeted by the Irish, let's start with their interesting contenders, particularly Gordon Elliott's. Discoteca is 5lb better off with Tennis Cap today and we think has the beating of the Mullins horse so why he is over twice the price is beyond us. Ted Veale is short enough considering he has never encountered ground this quick. Shadow Catcher was strongly fancied for the Triumph last year by Gordon Elliott and has had a quiet time since but his run when splitting Hisabaat and Countrywide Flame is top notch. He will strip fitter for a recent A/W run at Dundalk. Cotton Mill should run a big race and Denis O'Regan is adamant after today's race you'll never see him on this mark again. He was giving Simonsig a run till carrying out last year and ran fantastically in the Betfair Hurdle first time out this year. He swerved the Champion Hurdle for this. Claret Cloak maybe worth an e/w punt. He goes well on the ground and judged on his run behind good yardstick Raya Star he may have a chance here. I think we can write off his last run. For sentimental reasons we'd love to see Punjabi go well with Geraghty on board but there's no reason to think he's half the horse of old just yet.

Albert Bartlett

At Fishers Cross may finally get McCoy off the mark for the week. He has very solid form and the last minute rain will only help his cause. I know the Henderson cam this a lot of Utopie Des Bordes and believe he represents one of their best value prices of the week at around 10/1. Le Bec is a great each way price at 25/1. After winning first time up very nicely he was just touched off by Taquin De Seuil, who went on to win the Challow.

Gold Cup

I still feel the Gold Cup is a muddling affair this year without a genuine standout contender. My golf pro says the best way to work out what club you need is first to work out what club it isn't !  Therefore if a 5 iron is too big and a 7 iron won't get you there, it must be a 6 iron. My Gold Cup thinking follows the same process. I still have to question some of Sir Des Champs form, I'm not sure if Silviniaco Conti handles the track here and Long Run may find this a mile too short on this ground! Therefore by process of elimination in the search for a winner we end up with Bobs Worth. He loves it here, has good form is a confident selection. Best each way in the race is the aforementioned Long Run and if you want bigger price The Giant Bolster isn't bad.

Bob showing his Worth last year

Foxhunters
One of the strongest Irish fancies of the week and one of my bankers of the week is Salsify. Defending champion and winner of the best Irish trial since, I can't see him losing. I've always had Chapoturgeon down as a non-stayer and on softer ground than last year he goes backwards for me. Of the rest Cottage Oak is the one I'd fancy to fill second spot and he's a good each way price. He's done nothing wrong this year and won well in the Walrus at Haydock.

Martin Pipe Conditionals

Sometimes it pays to side with the best jockeys in affairs such as this and our first selection is Ma Filleuile ridden by the able Jeremiah McGrath. This mare beat Swincombe Flambe last time and she franked the form against Quevega on Tuesday. Toner D'Oudairies is expected to go well but has been chasing and runs in this as he didn't get into any of the chases this week. Our other selection is Make Your Mark for the Mullins/Gigginstown combo. He had a good novice season and with only one run this year will strip fitter and is unexposed.

Grand Annual

The annual 'gettin out' stakes is yet another tough handicap. Named after Nicky's father in recent years, he always produces some for this and had 3 of the first 4 home last year and 3 of them return here. We fancy his best chance to be Anquetta, who is well in with Tanks For That and only had his first run this at Mussleburgh recently. Going well 2 out he just didn't quite finish his race probably due to a lack of fitness. Kid Cassidy was favourite for this last year and off a 2lb lower mark has to be fancied and the Henderson/Carberry combo produced the winner last year. Of the rest Kumbeshwar and Oiseau De Nuit could go well but at a big price we like Viva Colonia. He appears to like this better ground and a recent change of scenery has done him well. His last run was a cracker beating 3 good sorts. He also handles the track as his 5th in Greatwood proves.

Thanks for reading each day and I hope you have had a few of our horses on your side as we've had some great each way bets in this week and a few winners too so it's been very profitable so far (As a rule of thumb back anything under 5s to win and anything over as an each way).

It just remains to say thanks to Cheltenham for a great week, they may have the best quality race of the year but we have the toughest ... move over ... it's Aintree's turn next.

A 'proper' fence

Cheltenham day 3 - Oscar won't make us 'grouchy'

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Day 2 provided us with 3 winners and 5 places (3 of them over 14/1) during another episode of the Willie & Ruby show. The day really belonged to the new 'tank' on the block though, Sprinter Sacre. He certainly lived up to his nickname of 'The Black Aeroplane' as he flew round Prestbury, winning unextended from Cheltenham stalwart Sizing Europe. Time form have given him a provisional rating of 179p for today's saunter, already putting him ahead of Kauto Star. This feels a little flattering but time will tell and remember he's only seven.

Day 3

Golden Miller novices
The reputation of Dynaste goes on the line here and he should confirm the low odds. After sideswerving the RSA for fear of bad ground I fear he might have a bigger battle on here. Aupcharlie may need further but Texas Jack's last 2 runs have shown him improve and the form of the RSA now makes him look very good value and an each way on him is advised. Captain Conan may be the one to expose any chinks in the Pipe horses armour but we'll see.

Pertemps final
Traditionally one of the hardest races to pick the winner of, this year is no different. Lots of plots being hatched in darkened rooms by candlelight lead many a horse to this race. Form is not always the best guide. Consistency is. For that reason our main selection is Jetson. Jessica's charge has been thereabouts in some good handicaps on the other side of the Irish Sea without quite getting up and comes here with the right credentials. For some each way value try Ely Brown who won his qualifier in a slog at Warwick or Junior who is well treated on his best chase form.

Ryanair chase
A good preparation and solid form makes Cue Card an easy pick here. The former bumper winner has also been placed at the last 2 festivals and his only blot this year was at Kempton on terrible ground where he was still on the bridle 3 out, only to not get home. I can't have First Lieutenant although I know most of the jockeys, trainers and punduits fancy him and his form is the best on offer but always in defeat. I prefer an animal that knows how to get his head in front. Champion Court could be the best each way and his last run can be ignored when not fully fit.

World Hurdle
The ground is the key to this race. On soft ground Reve De Sivola wins, on good-ish ground Oscar Whisky wins. The form of their Cleeve hurdle tussle is the best on show and given the improving ground and weather we just side with Oscar Whisky who gets his chance for a major Cheltenham crown in Big Bucks' absence. Best of the rest may be Solwhit who looked a superstar when winning the Aintree Hurdle four years ago but has had time off due to injuries. He has returned well and as a 9yo he will find this slower pace more suitable.



Oscar Whisky in full flight



Byrne Group Plate

Another competitive handicap here where many have a chance. Poquelin is now returning to a winning mark, Divers has been laid out and really tempts me but the first selection is Cantlow who has been kept away from the better novice races for this. He is a progressive sort and we certainly havent seen the best of him. For each way value we have 2 picks. Tartak is now on a very handy mark and hasnt been running badly, particularly over too far last time. Kapga De Cerisy is from the in-form Venetia Williams stable and beat 'talking horse' Fago by 15 lengths last time.

Kim Muir

A very difficult race to put any faith in due to all the pilots being amateurs, sometimes just having the right jockey is worth 5 lengths. Romanesco and Alfie Sherrin are probably worth a small punt.

Cross Country
The postponed cross-country race is up next. 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 and is probably our strongest each way selection of the whole week. The booking of Katie Walsh is also a bonus.

Cheltenham day 2 - Alexandre The Great ?

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Well racing took place if not somewhat delayed. We had a great start to the day with Champagne Fever and a good finish with Ohio Gold e/w, hope you got the 20/1 on offer. In between there were 2 non-events with Simonsig and Quevega guaranteed winners, so we looked for value and failed although Overturn decided to throw in a shocker and that may have cost us second. Our Mick would have gone closer only for a few mistakes, but obliged each way.

All hats off to Hurricane Fly and Quevega though ... true champions and a great sight to behold. Along with Big Bucks this is truly the age of some great hurdlers and this is what makes the big festivals different to a nice Sandown card on a saturday. There's real emotion when these horses win. 365 long days of preparation all put on the line in five minutes or so of grit, power and determination.

Onto day 2, where we start with 3 novice races and end with 3 lotteries. This is undoubtedly the toughest day of the week.

NH Chase

Back In Focus is the selection here. A horse I've liked since his Haydock Graded novice win, when with Howard Johnson, he is campaigned selectively due to his liking for soft ground. He's a thorough stayer who will relish this trip. Godmsejudge is probably next best. An improving type, he ran with great merit in Warwick's Classic Chase before following up with a nice win over 3m 2f at the same track.

Neptune Novices

Reputations must be treated with a little wariness sometimes and at this festival there's no bigger reputation than the one that comes with Pont Alexandre. Willie Mullins says he's could end up being the best he's ever trained and all of Ireland agree with him. It would be a major upset if he were to be beat.

RSA Chase

This looks a very good renewal of the RSA and the race is sure to produce many future winners, however the trio of Unioniste, Boston Bob and Lord WIndermere are of most interest. Given the former was reported not fully fit at Newbury we'll side with Unioniste. If it was a slog Boston Bob would have been the selection but the ground was not too bad yesterday. Lord Windermere would be the each way selection.

Queen Mother Chase

This is just a question of not who wins, but by how far Sprinter Sacre wins. Not a betting contest, if you can't resist a punt then a small place or each way bet on former champion Sizing Europe is probably safest.

Coral Cup

In many books, Pendra is the best handicapped horse of the week and he is a worthy favourite and must go close. Fiveforthree was a very good horse a couple of years ago and barring injuries down the years would probably be running in the World Hurdle here instead so makes for a good each way. Of the remainder, Meister Eckhart is overpriced at 16/1 given that he finished 2nd first time out in the National Spirit last time and was 5th in the 2012 Albert Bartlett. He has clearly took time bringing him back for a tilt at this.

We finish day 2 with a couple of the trickiest affairs all week.

Fred Winter

First up is the Fred Winter. A newish race here, the trends point to a horse with experience but not necessarily winning. A horse fitting the bill is Megalypos. The Simon Munir/Nicky Henderson combo won the race last year and this lad has been running in some good contests in defeat. Of the each ways Fatcatinthehat and Ptit Zig look good value.

Bumper
The Bumper is one of the trickiest races of the week with so many unexposed youngsters on show. Sgt Reckless has reportedly been 'working all over' good flat horses at Mick Channon's yard and a minor coup here is that top flat jockey Richard Hughes rides. Blackmail comes here with a chance despite 2 defeats and the booking of Barry Geraghty is not unnoticed. We think the best value in the race could be Milo Man. His only run to date produced a 25l drubbing of a fairly fancied David Pipe horse and an each way chance is taken at around 18/1

Cheltenham day 1 - Champagne to provide the fizz

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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 !



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.

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.

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 !