DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 1
12.28 SOUTHWELL
FELTON BELLEVUE (best price 7-2) was unfortunate to bump into the upwardly mobile Kelce in an above-average contest for the grade at Market Rasen last time out, but it was a fair effort in the context of today’s assignment and having gone well here on his two previous visits. Ben case’s inmate seemingly has all his ducks in a row.
Back on his favoured soft ground after disappointing on a quicker surface at Warwick previously, the 10-year-old was nicely supporter to atone for that below par effort and although he ended up falling a little short at the Lincolnshire venue, his speed figure in defeat suggested he ran close to a career high.
A comfortable winner the last time he faced today’s C&D, he also had run a solid race on his previous visit and with deteriorating conditions set to suit him more than most, the one of only two previous course winners can add to his tally.
FELTON BELLEVUE – 1-point win@7-2
2.05 CHELTENHAM
Finding winners over fences on the New Course is not often all about focusing on the best horse, but those who tend to race up with the speed – predominantly front runners if possible – and LOUNGE LIZARD (best price 8-1) falls neatly into that category.
Since fitted with blinkers/visor and more forcefully ridden, Henry Daly’s inmate has form figures that read 11335213 and although two of those three victories have come over three miles, he is just as adept over shorter.
Last time out, for instance, he put up a bold show at the head of affairs over 2m5f at Carlisle before getting tired on his first outing for 287 days and with the strong possibility he will prove all the better for the run, the seven-year-old has decent prospects of bettering his fine second to Ga Law on his only previous start over today’s C&D.
LOUNGE LIZARD –1-point each-way@8-1
3.00 FAIRYHOUSE
Champ Kiely looks a proper Rolls Royce in among a forecourt of Audi’s and Ford’s, but he hasn’t been seen out for 614 days and of those capable of taking advantage of any fitness frailties, CLEATUS POOLAW (best price 8-1) makes the most appeal to cause a mini shock.
Other than finishing in midfield in the Pertemps Final last season, Gordon Elliott’s inmate enjoyed a decent first term over hurdles and if you take Champ Kiely out of the equation, he probably has the pick of the form of the rest.
However, he has always been regarded a chasing prospect and even though he got no further than the fifth on his debut over fences at Tipperary, there were plenty of encouragement to be taken from how he jumped the first four prior to his exit – which was more a slip on the landing side more than anything else.
On the brief evidence of what we saw of him at the Limerick Junction venue, he is likely to be ridden prominently here today and, in a race, where the cream should rise to the top from an early stage, the seven-year-old is fancied to put himself in the conversation for when the medals are dished out.
CLEAQTUS POOLAW – 1-point each-way@8-1
3.15 CHELTENHAM
SALVER (NAP) (best price 9-4) turned in an eye-catching performance off top weight on his seasonal bow at Newbury recently and with today’s extra yardage threatening to bring about a certain degree of improvement, Gary & Josh Moore’s inmate rates a strong choice to announce himself at this level.
The first thing to note is the race run at the Berkshire track was strong on the data and secondly, the form couldn’t have worked out any better with the likes of the well-beaten trio, The Famous Five, Castlefort and Ooh Betty all winning since.
Outpaced before keeping on stoutly in the latter stages, the four-year-old strongly hinted that he may require further to be seen to better advantage in his second term over hurdles and having proven himself over today’s course with an excellent effort in last season’s Triumph Hurdle, he has ticks in all the right boxes.
SALVER – 2-points win@9-4