DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6
1.40 NEWBURY
As is often the case in novice hurdles at this track, a collection of potentially smart performers set to face the starter and of those who represent last seasons bumper crop, STORMING GEORGE (best price 8-1) makes the most appeal at the morning odds.
Neil King’s inmate made a bright start to his career when storming to victory in a competitive affair at Doncaster and the speed figure he posted strongly suggested he deserved a crack at something more substantial.
In keeping with that way of thinking, the son of Order Of St George was pitched into the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting and he duly justified the bold entry by finishing a creditable fifth.
Although it is a contest unlikely to work out as well as the Cheltenham version, it is form still worth taking seriously and there is no reason for him to have any sort of inferiority complex despite being up against the likes of Wilstar and Captain Hugo based on what they all achieved in bumpers.
STORMING GEORGE – ½ point each-way@87-1
2.15 NEWBURY
Like the previous novice hurdle, another race that should prove to be an informative affair long term and of those who bring solid bumper form to the party from last term, STRONG RUN (best price 6-1) should be more than capable of holding her own against her own sex providing her technique holds up first time over hurdles.
The daughter of Passing Glance has always been well regarded by connections and following a promising start to her career in a bumper at Uttoxeter, she went on to finish an honourable third to the smart Seo Linn in a warm mares listed contest at Cheltenham this time last year.
Scrambling home at short odds at Warwick next time, probably not coping with the very soft ground as hoped, she once again mixed it with some high-class mares in the big bumper at Aintree on her final outing of the season and it was a performance that suggested she should do well when switching her attentions to hurdles, particularly over further.
That may not be the case today regards trip but this race, over a galloping track, looks a good starting point all the same and with the overnight favourite, Khrisma, now out, life becomes a little easier for Fergal O’Brien’s inmate to make an impact.
STRONG RUN – ½ point each-way@6-1