Five horses it may pay to follow this weekend and for the rest of the season
Another weekend of top-class action awaits racing fans with a number of high profile horses going head-to-head and early festival clues sure to be on offer.
COLE HARDEN - 12.40 Wetherby
Although likely to go off a short-priced favourite, Saturday's race shouldn't necessarily be considered a forgone conclusion for the 2015 World hurdle winner. Dan Skelton's Its'afreebee was a smart novice hurdler in his own right, including when third in the Neptune at Cheltenham behind Yorkhill in March and has the benefit of two runs over fences. However, if taking to the larger obstacles, Warren Greatrex's 7yo could be another exiting recruit to the novice ranks and in receipt of 7lbs should have too much on the day for the Skelton horse.
MINOTAUR - Aintree 13.00
In an intriguing novice hurdle in which Jonjo O'Neill's runner catches the eye. Recently purchased by JP McManus, the 4yo has shown plenty of form on the Flat over in France, collecting over £100,000 in prize money to date. He could be an exciting acquisition for connections and it will be interesting to see how he takes to hurdles.
POTTERS CROSS - 15.20 Chepstow
Last seen being pulled-up in the BetVictor Gold Cup, Rebecca Curtis' 9yo can be forgiven that effort as he always looked up against it in what was a quality field. Saturday's Welsh National Trial should see him in calmer waters and with bottom weight (10-8), if replicating the form of either of his two chase successes to date, he could well be in the mix for connections who have a strong recent history in the big race itself with Teaforthree.
SUNDAY
VROOM VROOM MAG - 13.40 Fairyhouse
Flawless so far since joining Willie Mullins back in 2014, the 7yo mare is one of the most versatile horses in training as well as one of the most talented. A winner over a variety of trips over both hurdles and fences, she was last seen putting a quality field to the sword in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in April. Allowed to take her place in Sunday's field, she should prove much too good for the rest of the and the early prices on offer should be snapped up gleefully by punters
TOP TUG - 14.30 Huntingdon
A useful handicapper for Sir Michael Stoute on the flat (beat subsequent UAE Derby winner and Breeders' Cup Classic second, Toast Of New York in a Wolverhampton maiden) the 5yo made the perfect start to life over jumps with an easy win at Kempton in early November. He looks the sort that connections could have a bit of fun with and should be capable of winning a couple more races in novice company this season.
