DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20
1.25 PUNCHESTOWN
Not a bad novice chase by any means pre-Cheltenham and RELEASE THE BEAST (best price 11-2) has done more than enough in his two starts over fences to necessitate the view he deserves to be kept on side for the foreseeable future.
By no means the pick of this field over hurdles, Paul Nolan’s inmate has certainly bridged the gap since switching to fences and following a promising effort behind the top-class Ballyburn over today’s course, he went on to post a career high on the figures at Limerick last time out.
Always travelling best at the Greenmount Park venue, a couple of fine leaps at the last two fences put matters beyond doubt and he won in the style of a young horse who has a good deal more to offer.
Clearly a different proposition since fitted with the tongue tie, the lightly raced six-year-old can continue his rise through the ranks.
RELEASE THE BEAST – 1-point each-way@11-2
3.45 HUNTINGDON
The race won by Chicago Storm at Wincanton last month has stood the test form-wise subsequently and DIRTY DEN (best price 4-1) is fancied to supply even more substance to the race at the west country venue in this similar contest.
Setting out on the final circuit and into the thick fog 35 days ago, Anthony Carson’s inmate only had two behind him at that juncture but by the time they field had emerged and made their way down to the second last, he was upsides the leaders and ready to deliver a challenge.
Unfortunately, he didn’t manage to cope with the useful change of gear shown by the winner, but he did finish to pull well clear of subsequent winner Just Aiden and with the time figure speaking very favourably of the race for the grade in general, his effort deserves extra praise.
Yet to score over hurdles in seven attempts, he did, however, notch his only success in a bumper over today’s course and a return to the Cambridgeshire venue can hopefully initiate good vibes for the son of Dragon Dancer.
DIRTY DEN – 1-point win@4-1
4.25 PUNCHESTOWN
DUFFYS HODEY (NAP) (best price 7-4) arrives here in the peak of his powers and Philip Rothwell’s runaway train looks set for his fourth victory of the campaign on his return to track that allowed him to record a career high effort last time out.
There were many good judges who were impressed with Ethical Diamond’s win over two miles here at the last meeting but when you analyse the data the son of Well Chosen achieved over an extra half a mile, there’s little doubt the 2m4f handicap carries the most clout.
In a race soundly run affair courtesy of the gallop set by Balko D’Ange, the eight-year-old came from last to first to score going away and when you consider he ran the final circuit 2.5 seconds quicker than Willie Mullins’ 137-rated hurdler, it puts into perspective the high standard he conjured up for a horse officially 24lbs lower.
Based on the evidence available from 17 days ago, he still appears well treated even off his revised mark of 111, and the only real question to answer will be whether he is just as effective over today’s extra yardage.
DUFFYS HODEY – 2-point win@7-4