1.20 – Ballymore Novices Hurdle
This looks to be the novice hurdle race of the week with a field laden with quality. There aren't many but that shouldn't detract from the spectacle at all. I'm very sweet on GAILLARD DU MESNIL who hasn't quite got the recognition he deserves so far this season. After hacking up at Christmas he showed what he was really made of at the Dublin Racing Festival when overcoming a far from ideal journey to the front. He made up a lot of ground just getting to the leader, Stattler, and once he got to his tail it looked like he might just empty out but what really impressed me was that he found more and dug deep.
That was over 2m 6f on heavy ground and I think the trip today will be much more to his liking as he isn't short of pace. His hurdling technique is of a high quality which can't be said for his main rival and I just can't envisage a situation where this lad gets beat today.
1.55 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
It's hard to look past Monkfish here as he has looked a cut above most novices this year but at the prices you couldn't be backing given what can happen at Cheltenham. I'd like to take him on with SPORTING JOHN or Fiddlerontheroof at the prices with the hope one of them will hit the frame. Slight preference is for the former as he really impressed me as a hurdler and now with his confidence restored over fences I can see him running well here.
2.30 – Coral Cup
I've fancied KOSHARI for this race since his run at the DRF and although he is high enough in the weights he has struck me as the sort of horse who has the class to win one of these big handicaps. Lightly raced for his age he could have more to offer over this trip and the handicapper might not have his measure just yet. His stablemate, Blue Sari, runs here instead of the County Hurdle which annoyed me slightly as I had earmarked him for that race. He was a high class bumper performer, finishing second to Envoi Allen here in the Champion Bumper two years ago. I will be amazed if he isn't better than his current mark and he is certainly worth noting.
3.05 – Champion Chase
The late defection of Altior has knocked my enthusiasm for this race but I think I've still found one who is ridiculously overpriced. SCEAU ROYAL barring a tame effort here last year is such a reliable type and not only reliable, he also has bags of class. I thought he had Altior beat here two years ago heading to the last but the champ found more up the hill and he certainly didn't disgrace himself in finishing third. With the better ground expected today I can see him travelling just as well as anything else and unless something goes wrong during the race I think this lad is a certainty to finish in the 3 at a huge price.
3.40 – Cross Country Chase
This isn't much of a betting race for me but I do enjoy watching this unique race. I will probably have a bit of money on KINGSWELL THEATRE who simply loves it around this course and distance. He might lack the class that some of these possess but he is one of the more solid ones in here I think. The top two aren't horses to pin your hopes on so at a big price Michael Scudamore's horse looks a solid each way play.
4.15 – Grand Annual
This is going to be fast and furious and although Joseph O'Brien looks to have the race covered I do like two at bigger prices. Last year's winner Chosen Mate catches the eye after a low key campaign this year and I wouldn't be surprised if he showed a remarkable return to form as he bids to retain his crown.
Slight preference is for BUN DORAN who is more than capable on his day of mixing it with the big boys as he showed last year when running in the Champion Chase. He has dropped to a mark which sees him get in here off a nice enough weight. The good ground will be to his liking and if Tom George has him spot on then I expect a big performance from him in a race which he finished second in in 2019.
4.50 – Champion Bumper
We could see some nice types here and the front two in the market will get plenty of attention. I quite like THREE STRIPE LIFE who is open to any amount of improvement after only seeing the track once this year. His connections hold him in high regard and the way he scored on debut you can see why. He might just improve past the front two in the market and if he does, he's a nice price to do so.
