DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JANUARY 25
12.40 CHELTENHAM
Based on the role of honour over the last years, an event that often goes to prominent racers and BILLYTHEREALBIGRED (best price 5-2) looks poised to keep that trend ticking over on his hat trick bid.
Jagwar may well be the number one choice for many from the same stable and there is no doubt he is a fair prospect in the making but the son of Procounsel has done nothing wrong on his two starts over fences either and he may just end up being the better option of the pair under today’s circumstances.
An uncomplicated type who likes to go hard from the front, his run style should be extremely well suited by today’s New Course, where getting into a rhythm down the back is a necessity, and with the change in underfoot conditions over the last 24 hours shifting markedly in his favour, he could prove difficult to peg back if obtaining an early uncontested lead.
BILLYTHEREALBIGRED – 1-point win@5-2
12.55 DONCASTER
ROCK MY WAY (best price 9-4) didn’t run too badly in a race much deeper than the one he faces here today at Newbury last time, and he is fancied to make the perfect start to life from his new base.
Held up in the rear at the Berkshire venue, the seven-year-old was out of his ground when the tempo lifted in the final half a mile and although he made a brave attempt to try and bridge the gap, the front three had already flown the nest.
Seen to much better effect when ridden closer to the pace over today’s C&D on his previous outing, the combination of a return to Town Moor and the fresh approach his new stable will hopefully inspire makes Joe Tizzard’s gelding an appetizing proposition.
ROCK MY WAY – 1-point win@9-4
2.05 DONCASTER
JIG’S FORGE (best price 7-2) created a favourable impression when making a successful start to his career under rules at Ffos Las 66 days ago and with this race being on his radar for quite some time, Ben Pauling’s gelding is fancied to execute the long-term plan.
A former point winner for Ross O Sullivan in Ireland, the six-year-old was well touted beforehand at the Welsh venue and having set his stall out from a very early stage, he maintained a strong gallop in the final half a mile to pull clear of some useful rivals.
Indeed, the likes of Blue Las and Andy Amo have gone on to show the value of the form/speed figure since and with today’s step up in trip and galloping nature of the track set to suit, he might end up coming out of this contest with aspirations of tackling the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March.
JIG’S FORGE – 1-point win@7-2
3.35 CHELTENHAM
GOWEL ROAD (best price 7-2) has cut rather a frustrating figure of late, but he is also proving ever reliable and, in a race where there must be several doubts about some of the leading contenders, he looks the most likely to take advantage of any potential shortcomings.
Crambo ran inexplicably poorly on his only start at Cheltenham and Strong Leader only beat one home in the Long Walk at Ascot last time out whereas Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate has run up to a high standard on all his four runs so far this term – all of them over today’s course.
Latterly, in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day, the seven-year-old served it up to a small but select field over 2m4f and although he just got touched off by Lucky Place, he managed to pull nicely clear of the equally smart Golden Ace.
Considering the trip was shy of his optimum, his effort in defeat strongly suggested he remains in fine spirits and with the strong possibility he will be able to dictate the race to his own liking, the son of Flemensfirth has a golden opportunity to have his consistency rewarded in the best possible fashion.
GOWEL ROAD – 1-point win@7-2
8.20 WOLVERHAMPTON
CIOTOG (best price 7-1) ran a good deal better than the bare result suggested over tonight’s C&D last time out and in what looks a similar race to the one he two weeks ago on paper, Mark Loughnane’s gelding rates the percentage call at the prices to make amends.
As is often the case, the seven-year-old chestnut was just a little slow into stride at the Midland track and that meant he was pinned down on the inside hoping that the gaps would appear once turning for home.
Unfortunately for him and his supporters, the space didn’t materialise until very late and by that time, the race was done and dusted as far as obtaining a positive outcome was concerned.
The way he charged through the line full of running strongly hinted, however, he would have gone very close to winning with anything like a clear run and when you consider his time figure and final circuit splits were still decent in context to tonight’s race despite not getting the rub of the green, he probably deserves more respect than the morning market affords him.
CIOTOG – 1-point each-way@7-1