DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JANUARY 24
12.40 CHELTENHAM
Some big reputations on the line in this juvenile contest and MINELLA YOGA looks set to underline his Triumph Hurdle prospects at the main expense of Maestro Conti.
First thing to say, it should prove to be a good match up between the pair and they both look to have bright futures whatever the outcome but it is not a controversial statement to say the former has the best form coming into the race.
Picked up by current connections for a cool 360k after landing a Fairyhouse academy hurdle, he was thrown into the lion’s deny up against previous C&D winner, Act Of Innocence, on his UK debut at Newbury.
Not unfancied in the market despite the weight of support behind Nicky Henderson’s potential top novice, Paul Nicholls’ travelled smoothly behind his main market rival and when asked to go and claim the biggest of scalps on the run-in, he did so with some aplomb.
Despite the weight-for-age scale being heavily tipped in his favour at the Berkshire venue, time may tell it was still no mean feat by the son of Study Of Man and if it wasn’t for the fact his yard enters this weekend 1-32 in the last fortnight – which is a regular occurrence at this time of the year – he would rank an even more confident choice on ground he has proved he can handle.
MINELLA YOGA – 1-point win@5-2
12.55 DONCASTER
Whether this year’s renewal of the River Don will turn out to have any bearing on the Albert Bartlett remains to be seen but what we do have is a contest with an open feel to it.
The truth of the matter is we just don’t know the capabilities of many of the participants with so little evidence, especially over today’s three-mile trip and that makes finding the winner no easy task.
However, there are a couple in the shape of THE PRICE OF PEACE and COUNTRY CODE that have already displayed a fair level of form close to three miles and, with the strong possibility of even more to come, they are the suggestions against the field.
The former is in the care of a trainer who knows the time of day with a promising stayer and it is significant that the Welsh handler is prepared to roll the dice with a horse who arrives here off the back of winning just a maiden hurdle.
That said, the son of Quest For Peace was extremely impressive at Chepstow a month ago and he looked to have a ton in hand as he hit the line very strongly over the extended 2m7f trip.
Moreover, the form of his previous effort at Ffos Las worked out well subsequently and with the likelihood that today’s galloping track on soft ground will see him to even greater advantage, the seven-year-old could potentially follow in the same footsteps of At Fisher’s Cross further down the line.
The latter is also trained by someone who knows what they are doing with a good horse (3-7 in Class 1 novice hurdles) and his potential was there for all to see at Kelso last time out.
He might not have beaten much at the Borders venue, but he hit the line strong and the speed figure was very good for the grade, so the chances are he could have brighter prospects than the market suggests.
Similar to The Price Of Peace, chasing will definitely see him come into his own but for now, he remains one to keep on side in the short term.
Of the rest, The Last Cloud comes into the equation on account of his excellent effort behind the top-class pair, Idaho Sun and Mydaddypaddy at Grade 1 level at Aintree and he could prove dangerous if he stays the trip – which he is bred to get.
THE PRICE OF PEACE – 1-point win@4-1
COUNTRY CODE – 1-point win@11-2
4.10 CHELTENHAM
Being a fully paid-up member of the Act Of Innocence fan club, it pains me to go against Nicky Henderson’s inmate but this game is about trying to find one that is potentially overpriced and whereas the market has the favourite pegged about the right price, FORTUNE TIMMY looks to have been slightly underestimated.
Ultimately not quite quick enough for Old Park Star in the closing stages at Kempton two starts ago, Chris Gordon’s gelding, however, wasn’t beaten too far and with his sights significantly lowered at Fontwell last time out, he duly justified heavy market support in tidy fashion.
Posting a useful speed figure at the Sussex venue, it is worth pointing out he had yesterday’s Doncaster winner, Rathkenny, trailing in his wake to the tune of 31 lengths, and with today’s step up in trip likely to play more into his strengths, the son of Soldier Of Fortune has the scope to prove himself on his biggest stage so far to date.
FORTUNE TIMMY – ½ point each-way@16-1