Racing
There’s a decent weekend’s racing in store with jumping action taking place at Ascot, Haydock and Huntington. There are 3 flat all weather meets at Lingfield, Kempton and Wolverhampton, the latter 2 going ahead under lights. Cheltenham’s Gold Cup hero Kauto Star returns to action in a potentially mouth watering renewal of the Betfair Chase. Can he fend of the Irish challenge of Notre Pere?
With the ground at Haydock currently riding soft (heavy in places) one has to fancy Notre Pere to turn over Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. Notre Pere will jump and stay every inch of the stamina sapping 3 miles round Haydock but will Kauto Star? I can see this race turning into a right old slog and I’m going to put forward Notre Pere to turn over last years Cheltenham hero.
Its not often you see the great Ruby Walsh riding for Nicky Henderson and for that reason alone you have to fancy Burton Point (14:20). He won very nicely 10 days ago in a beginners chase and reverts to hurdles today, which would be my only concern. He has a nice racing weight, handles testing conditions and has Ruby on board. He should run a big race.
In the 13:30 at Ascot I’m going to take a chance with a potentially big priced horse in a 12 runner field. Another Storm looked like a horse on the up last year, winning her last two starts before taking a summer break. With Daryl Jacob, Grand National winning jockey in the plate I think more may be to come from this 7 year old mare. An Each Way selection.
A.P McCoy goes to Ascot to ride the Cheltenham Ballymore Properties runner up - Karabak. This horse always gave me the impression that another summer under his coat would bring out the best of him. He had top class form as a novice finishing second to the classy Mikael D’haguenet. Nicky Henderson’s Zaynar will be hard to turn over but with McCoy vs Tinkler in a drive there is always going to be one winner. Also Karabak is 2 years Zaynar’s elder with more experience, another huge positive.
Finally in the Amlin 1965 Chase another Cheltenham Festival runner up runs in the form of Voy Por Ustedes. It’s hard to believe Alan Kings stable star is only 9 and potentially still improving. It’s his first run of the season but he should nb good enough to beat this field.
