DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 16
1.15 CHELTENHAM
Time may tell GAELIC PRIDE (best price 4-1) bumped into a very smart novice in the shape of Idaho Sun on his hurdling debut at Fontwell last month and with just normal improvement, Warren Greatrex’s has the right credentials to mix it with this sort of opposition.
The son of Kool Kompany set a steady tempo at the Sussex venue until cranking up the pace with a circuit to run but try as he might, he couldn’t shake off the attentions of the eventual winner, who showed the better change of gear after the last.
A little sticky over the last hurdles to boot, he will need to be more proficient in that department here today but hopefully some more schooling in between will have done the trick and another positive ride – favourably on the outside of the track – can prove a profitable route to victory.
GAELIC PRIDE – 1-point win@4-1
1.45 CHELTENHAM
Ben Pauling has yet to strike at the Paddy Power meeting but he has had several who have acquitted themselves well and, in any case, his best chance of the three days comes in the shape of JIG’S FORGE (best price 5-2).
Highly regarded by his in-form handler, the six-year-old got off the mark at the first time of asking over hurdles at Ffos Las this time last year and although he failed to build on that promising effort both visually and on the clock, his sixth in the Albert Bartlett wasn’t too shabby in the context of what he faces today.
Very much seen as a three-mile chaser by connections, the former Irish point winner might take some pegging back if getting into a good early rhythm.
JIG’S FORGE – 1-point win@5-2
3.30 CHELTENHAM
Conditions have changed so violently in recent days, the likes of long-term ante post popular choices Celtic Dino and Alexei may be inconvenienced more than most and it could well be that CASTLE CARROCK (best price 15-2) ends up being the one to side with on ground shifting markedly in his favour.
Alan King’s inmate created a favourable impression on his debut over hurdles when accounting for the smart Diva Luna at Sandown and he duly stepped up in grade on his next start at Kelso.
Running well in a competitive Grade 2 at the Borders venue despite not being fully at home around the tight track, similar comments applied to his last run of the campaign at Grade 1 level at Aintree but it was a performance that still offered plenty of hope for the future.
Whether he has garnered sufficient experience for a race of today’s nature is open for discussion but he is likely to handle the ground better than most and hails from a stable that have won this twice and gone close with several others in recent times – so in the trainer we trust.
CASTLE CARROCK – 1-point each-way@15-2