DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
2.20 NAAS
Time may tell KOOL ONE (best price 6-1) bumped into a useful recruit in the shape of Blue Lemons at Gowran last time out and having already proven himself over today’s C&D on his debut previously, Conor Maxwell’s gelding has shown enough already to stake a claim for a race of this nature.
Jumping more fluently than he did on his hurdling debut, it looked like the son of Kool Kompany had all angles covered when leading going well into the home straight at the Kenny venue eight days ago but in the end, he succumbed to a horse with a superior turn of foot (useful miler on the Flat), and he had to settle for an honourable second.
Not blessed with a huge turn of speed, he does stay well in testing conditions though and with today’s heavy ground likely to suit him more than some of his rivals, the likeable and honest gelding can give a solid account.
KOOL ONE – 1-point win@6-1
3.00 FONTWELL
STEEL ALLY (best price 6-1) got a bit of a kamikaze ride when disappointing for the first time in his career at Ascot last time out but back in a small field where he is unlikely to be pestered for the early lead, Sam Thomas’ inmate has a better chance than his odds imply of bouncing back to his best form.
The son of Doctor Dino was one of three who unnecessarily got involved in the early joust for the lead at the Berkshire venue two months ago and the continuation of this battle for the thick end of a mile and half resulted in his engine cutting out turning for home.
Pulled up when all winning chance had gone, he was left with his ego a bit battered and bruised but you only must look back at his previous two performances to remember how good he can be when things pan out in his favour.
Just touched off by stable mate Lump Sum in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, he went on to make all for a comfortable success in a competitive environment at Haydock next time and with the speed figures of both races suggesting he hasn’t got too much to fear from today’s opposition if running to a similar standard, the seven-year-old is well worth a punt at the morning odds.
STEEL ALLY – 1-point win@6-1
3.30 FONTWELL
Locally trained Kalif D’Airy will catch the eye of many down the foot of the weights but he has yet to win a race, and KRUGER PARK (NAP) (best price 2-1) makes for a much more solid betting proposition following his excellent effort last time out in a better race than the one he faces this afternoon.
Although he couldn’t quite match the qualities shown by the likes of Santos Blue and Magical King on the run-in at Newbury a month ago, he kept on well to finish just behind the very smart novice chaser Haiti Couleur (one of the favourites for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham) and considering that was his first outing for 60 days, he is entitled to come on for the run.
Just touched off by Pride Of Paris on his only previous visit to today’s venue, he probably would have won that day had he not been forced to challenge down the unfavourable inside of the track and in the hands of Freddie Gingell, who gets on particularly well with the chestnut, the combination make for a powerful combination.
KJRUGER PARK – 1-point win@2-1
3.50 NAAS
WILL THE WISE (best price 11-4) scored with a degree of comfort at Punchestown last time out and having been handed what could turn out to be a very favourable mark moving forward, Gavin Cromwell’s inmate has a decent chance of booking his place in the final of this series at Cheltenham next month.
The six-year-old had hinted of better things to come previously with his decent effort behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Final Demand at Limerick and true to form, he made light work of much weaker opposition at the Kildare venue two weeks later.
That said, both the runner-up and third have advertised the form since and although he only needs to finish in the first four to book his ticket for the festival, it would be slightly disappointing if he doesn’t do so with a win.
WILL THE WISE – 1-point win@11-4