DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24
1.15 CHELTENHAM
Idalko Bihoue captured this prize for team Twiston-Davies three years ago and the Cheltenham-based outfit look to have another ideal candidate in the shape of SPECTACULSUNRISE.
The son of Passing Glance came to hand in the early part of last season with victories over hurdles at Bangor and Kelso but rather in-keeping with the general profile of his yard, his form rather tapered off towards the backend, his final run at Ayr, indicative of how has campaign plateaued.
However, he has always been seen as a chaser in the making and he made the perfect start to his new vocation at Perth a month ago, jumping soundly in the main to secure a prize that had a good pedigree over the years based on the previous winners.
Often prominently ridden in his formative days, it was interesting to note he was deliberately positioned at the back of the pack at the Scottish venue, maybe with a view to teaching him to settle over the 2m4f journey, but either way, he impressed with the way he came through strongly in the final half a mile to record a convincing success against some in-form and promising types.
The other notable feature of his performance was the very useful speed figure he posted for a race of its kind and that ability to jump well at pace should stand him in good stead faced with the prospect of a similarly run race here this afternoon.
SPECTACULARSUNRISE – 1-point win@9-2
3.19 DONCASTER
A competitive handicap on paper but the prevailing conditions tip the balance of power in favour of LIR SPECIALE and ON THE RIVER, and they are worth playing against the field.
The pair have already proven their liking for today’s track, none more so the former, who has a record on Town Moor that reads 113 and Brian Ellison’s gelding was two places ahead of the latter when they last crossed swords here in the Spring Mile behind the well-treated, Mezcala, back in March.
Since then, neither has managed to win a race, but they both arrive here in top form based on their recent exploits and heavy ground will present fewer problems for them than most.
Indeed, On The River’s effort when runner-up to Viper at Haydock reads much better than Lir Speciale’s performance over the same C&D at Haydock last time out and he looks to have been underestimated based on that data alone.
LIR SPECIALE –1-point win@4-1
ON THE RIVER – ½-point win@8-1
3.30 CHELTENHAM
Last year’s Triumph Hurdle might prove the key form line to this conditions contest for the four-year-olds and of the quartet who ran in the Grade 1, INDIAN RIVER makes the most appeal at the morning odds.
Adrian Keatley’s gelding was one of the outsiders in the opener on day four of the festival and although he never looked like defying his position in the market (sent off 50-1), he was by no means disgraced.
Outpaced coming down the hill before running on again on the long run to the line, he does have a bit to find with Lord Byron strictly on that piece of form but Fay Bramley’s inmate has gone on to prove a bit disappointing since – most notable in the Persian War last time – whereas the son of Nathaniel went on to finish a creditable third in the Grade 1 at Aintree (fast speed figure).
Shaping well enough on his seasonal bow in a warm heat against the older horses at Market Rasen, he just got a little tired following a long break but he did travel noticeably well before hitting the wall after two out and with the cobwebs likely to have been blown away, it is natural to expect a more fitter version of him this time around.
INDIAN RIVER – 1-point win@11-4