Racing
The Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek is the highlight of the weekends racing. This race has produced some greats in its time with the likes of Moscow Flyer and Master Minded all triumphing in the Sandown showpiece. Stardom beckons for the winner of the small but select field. Irish hopes lay with the Colm Murphy trained Big Zeb. Other jumps meetings take place at Chepstow, Wetherby and Navan while flat racing fans are kept ticking over with customary all weather racing, at Southwell and under lights at Wolverhampton.
The Tingle Creek is sure to be a great race but there are so many question marks about the whole field. I think it boils down to two horses, Big Zeb and Twist Magic. With too many questions to answer about Big Zeb’s jumping I’m going to side with the formidable Waslh/Nicholis team and Twist Magic. The railway fences at Sandown Park test even the most fluent of jumpers; I really do see Big Zeb taking a big tumble. Its Ruby and Twist Magic for me.
In the last race at Sandown (15:30), Lorum Leader catches my eye. He went in my notebook the last day he won at Market Rasen. The ground was heavy that day and he seemed to get through it very nicely. He races from the bottom of the handicap and is sure to appreciate the step up in trip. The ever capable Daryl Jacob rides.
In the 13:05 at Chepstow Paul Nicholis could possibly be unleashing one of his nicer novice chasers, Beshabar. The 7 year old son of Flemenfirth was always going to make a better chaser then hurdler. His sheer size and scoop is made for jumping the larger obstacles. In saying this though, he still had smart form over hurdles. He has a 637 day absence to contend with but thanks to Paul Nicholis’ training, I don’t see this as a problem. Very soft ground would be the only concern though.
In the 20:20 at Wolverhampton a Godolphin cast off runs by the name of Gheed. This is a very weak maiden and won’t take much winning. The jockey booking of Jimmy Quinn also catches my eye. I think he is one of the most under rated flat jockeys out there but is very good, especially on the all weather tracks. Quinn’s mount could be a big price so it’s an Each Way selection.
