DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 11
Without question, the toughest and most competitive Turner’s (1.20) run for many years and, as result, the list of possible winners is longer than the queue at your local pump station since Mr Trump decided to wage war on Iran.
The other point to make is regards to pace. In recent times, small fields have led to often the quickest horse triumphing but with a maximum field on offer, the emphasis might switch towards those suited by a stiffer test – especially with I’ll Sort That in the line-up.
No Drama This End is just about clinging on to favouritism after being clear market leader for this race for some time and while he might be good enough to justify his current position, he will have to improve on what he has done so far according to the data we keep at andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk.
His Sandown win, albeit an impressive one on the eye, doesn’t amount to much and his Challow win lacked the strength in depth normally associated with a Grade 1. All in all, he looks vulnerable and makes little appeal in his bid to provide Paul Nicholls with his first winner in this race.
It might turn out to be significant that Jack Kennedy rides Ballyfad instead of Skylight Hustle and Paul Townend has chosen King Rasko Grey over the rest of the Mullins battalions but the bottom line is nobody can really know for certain who is going to come out on top with so many unexposed novices trying the trip for the first time.
With that in mind, it might pay to look towards those at much bigger prices who have been overlooked and the two who make the most appeal in my eyes are SORTUDO and LAURETS D’ESTRUVAL.
The former has already proven he can handle the track courtesy of his creditable seventh in last season’s bumper and his two runs over hurdles so far to date suggest he has the potential to be top-class.
His effort when runner-up to the aforementioned I’ll Sort That in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Naas can be upgraded on account he was arguably given too much to do in the final half a mile, but it was a run that suggested he could easily turn around the form under different circumstances.
The latter wouldn’t be the first to jump off the page for most punters but it might be dangerous to dismiss him completely out of hand based on the speed figure he posted when winning apologetically at Thurles last time out.
The way he tanked his way through what was a keenly-run affair marked him down as a class act in the making and he hit the line in the style of a horse who would likely be seen to even better effect over further.
Whatever his fate he remains one to follow for the future, especially when sent over fences, but for now, it would as no surprise to see him significantly outrun his odds.
SORTUDO – ½ point each-way@16-1 (four places)
LAURETS D’ESTRUVAL – ½ point each-way@50-1 (four places)
If you thought the Turner’s was a throwback to yesteryear, the Brown Advisory (2.00) has a refreshing feel to it compared to recent renewals, but that theory also suggests the pat on the back if finding the winner deserves extra velocity.
Having advised KOKTAIL DIVIN at bigger odds several months ago, there was a huge sigh of relief when connections decided to roll the dice here rather than tackle the easier option of the handicap the day after and it is good to see stable jockey Darragh O’Keeffe choose him over The Big Westerner, who is already a proven Grade 2 winner over fences.
Whether he can lead it out from the front in a stellar field remains to be seen but he certainly has the talent and jumping prowess to go well for a long way and give his followers a decent spin.
The addition of Romeo Coolio adds a touch more class to proceedings but everything revolves around him staying the trip at the first time of asking. On the positive side, Kargese did no harm for the form here yesterday.
Of the other solid options down the front end of the market, Kaid D’Authie has proven he can maintain a relentless gallop at the highest level and it would come as no surprise if he were to oblige, while Wendigo comes across as another who will be well suited by the examination paper presented to him.
The Coral Cup is a race not for the fainthearted and there is plenty of substance attached to the theory that any of the 24-strong field can win.
Even whittling the main players down to manageable numbers is a task in itself but there is every chance that IBERICO LORD and BECKETT ROCK can feature on the pick of their best form.
The former arrives here following a career high effort when landing the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton and he represents a team who have a fine record in the race.
The turn of foot he exhibited to skip merrily clear of his field at the Sunbury venue was extremely taking and there has been plenty who were well beaten on the day who have gone on to boost the form since.
The latter comes into the equation on account of his fine sixth in this race last season and he gets a chance to run off an identical mark on his repeat bid.
Henry De Bromhead’s inmate has been plying his trade over fences so far this season and his latest performance when runner-up in a competitive handicap at Gowran recently was backed up by a very healthy speed figure.
Back over hurdles on his favoured ground, who is too big a price to totally ignore.
IBERICO LORD – ½ point each-way@9-1 (six places)
BECKETT ROCK – ½ point each-way@25-1 (six places)
The Cross-Country race wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but for those looking to get involved, you do worse than side with FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU or FINAL ORDERS, two proven performers over the C&D.
The former won with any amount in hand on trials day and he hails from a stable that has a rich tradition in this race.
The latter is very ground dependent but as we witnessed here in November, he is a decent tool over the banks when conditions suit and, there is every chance he will close the gap between himself and his old rival with no real rain of any note forecast.
The Champion Chase looks at the mercy of Majborough based on the evidence of his spectacular display at the DRF, it is just a question of whether you can trust him at a short price to repeat the dose.
For those seeking for the obvious snide each-way alternative, look no further than the talented L’Eau Du Sud. He may not have the brilliance of Majborough but he goes really well fresh, jumps well and loves the track – which is a pretty potent combination.
Unexpected Party landed the Grand Annual for the Skelton’s two years ago and another flying grey from the stable, BE AWARE, has the ability to follow suit.
Useful over hurdles, the seven-year-old has taken his game to another level over fences and although second on his last three starts, they have all come in top-class novice chases.
His effort when runner-up to the smart mare, July Flower, over the C&D reads well and there was no shame in filling out the same spot behind Lulamba in a Grade 1 at Sandown next time.
Likely to be positively ridden, his attacking style will mean he avoids any carnage in behind and he should trade much shorter than his morning odds during the run at the very least.
BE AWARE – 1-point win@6-1
As always, plenty of untapped potential in the champion bumper but the standard bearer based on the figures at andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk is KEEP HIM COMPANY.
There hasn’t been any bumper run as quickly either side of the Irish Sea this season than the one he won at Leopardstown at the Christmas meeting and the ability to stay well in a well-run environment will stand him in good stead.
Although connections suggested he might want softer ground to be seen at his best further down the line, the ground when winning at the Dublin venue was good-to-yielding and given plenty of time to overcome those exertions, he one of the more reliable propositions in what looks a typically wide-open affair.
KEEP HIM COMPANY – 1-point each-way@8-1 (four places)