DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18
4.05 LUDLOW
DIAMONDS GALORE bumped into a determined Betty’s daisy here last time out but there was no shame in chasing home a horse who produced a decent speed figure for a race of its nature on the day and there is every chance Nicky Henderson’s mare can go one place better now down in trip.
The daughter of Diamond Boy looked the biggest threat to the front runner when turning for home at the Shropshire venue but in the end, she didn’t have the necessary reserves of stamina, and she faded after the last to the tune of four-and-a-half lengths.
Prior to that commendable performance, the six-year-old was just run out of the argument by the useful No Trick At All at Worcester and now heading back to the scene of her best display on the data, she can put up a bold show in her bid to break her maiden tag.
DIAMONDS GALORE – 1-point win@11-4
5.05 LUDLOW
NAME ME NICELY has been gradually perfecting his trade and following promising efforts on his two most recent starts in novice company, Kim Bailey & Matt Nicholls’ inmate looks poised to pounce on his handicap debut.
The six-year-old didn’t cut much ice on his first start over hurdles but he was in the process of running a fine race at Doncaster two starts ago when he met the last wrong and unseated rider.
Back on Town Moor last time out in a strong-looking maiden hurdle, the son of Kingston Hill could never land a blow after being held up right out the back, but he did impress with the way he kept on in the latter stages to finish a respectable fourth and the three that were ahead of him all brought strong form to the party.
Handed an opening mark of 114, it is a rating that can easily be exploited and with today’s trip and track likely to suit, he can back up that view at the first time of asking.
NAME ME NICELY – 1-point win@5-1
NAME ME NICELY – 1-point win@evens top three finish
GRAND NATIONAL PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
AINTREE, APRIL 10
It has been well documented, The Grand National has changed dramatically – some say for the better – in recent times, but it is a puzzle, if anything, even harder to solve nowadays than it was back in the day when the fences were higher and course layout was not modified.
Before, you could rule out at least half the field on account of class and many others through lack of stamina and jumping ability, whereas now, you can score badly on many fronts and yet still triumph.
I Am Maximus was a classic case in point two years ago, being one of the worse/slowest jumpers in the 32-strong field on the data prior to turning up at Aintree, but that did not prevent him from scoring with plenty in hand.
Even last year, Nick Rockett could not be considered as one of the most obvious of runners to adapt to the fences on account of his size compared to his rivals but he too, flew in the face of conventional wisdom when triumphing at a big price.
Nowadays, most of the field tends to be made up of horses from graded races rather than traditional handicaps and that trend lends itself to endless possibilities when trying to draw up a shortlist.
This year’s renewal should turn out to be another classy affair, highlighted by the fact 15 of the entries are still in the Gold Cup, and it would come as no surprise if we had a winner who had previously contested a Grade 1.
Of those who fall into that category this year Is GORGEOUS TOM and he looks to be seriously overpriced on many counts.
Although he has yet to win at the highest level, he only failed by a length to land a Grade 1 in the 2024 Drinmore and his two other efforts against similar company were not without merit.
Following a bright start to this campaign in a Grade 2 at Down Royal, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate was handed his first start in handicap chase company when contesting The Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and if it wasn’t for a disastrous start, there is every chance he would have played a more significant role.
Due to the dreaded standing start, the son of Champs Elysees was one of a handful who totally missed the break and, as a result, he found himself some way off the pace in the early stages.
To his great credit, however, he managed to work himself into a reasonable position by halfway and from that juncture, he kept chipping away at the lost deficit to eventually finish a respectable fourth.
Despite those heroics, the handicapper saw fit to leave him on the same handicap which, in time, might turn out to be a slight oversight.
Based on the exploits of the winner, Panic Attack (now rated 147), and fifth, Pic Roc since, that theory appears to be the case and with likelihood of further improvement to come over fences, the lightly raced eight-year-old fits the profile of many of the recent winners.
Moreover, he comes from a yard who landed the world’s most famous race with Minella Times in 2012 and the Knockeen handler has also gone close with the likes of Senior Chief and Minella Indo in more recent times.
Although he has handled heavy ground to success in the past, quicker conditions seem to suit and given the way he stayed on in the final half a mile over the 3m2f journey at the Berkshire venue back in November, he threatens to be even more dangerous over further.
All in all, he appears to have first class credentials and there is simply no way he should be 50-1 and behind many ahead of him in the betting who have nowhere near his ability.
GORGEOUS TOM – 1-point each-way@50-1 (five places)