Sam Turner previews Saturday's CH4 races at Leopardstown, Ffos Las, Sandown and Wetherby.
1.50 Sandown
BOLD HENRY and Arthur’s Oak renew rivalries after doing battle here five weeks ago over course and distance. The former prevailed that day by a couple of lengths and, although 5lb worse off with his old rival, could confirm the placings with conditions to suit.
There could be better to come from Mr Mole back at the minimum trip in handicap company with the potential for him to lead again. His record in fields of six or less is 5-8.
There could be better to come from Mr Mole back at the minimum trip in handicap company with the potential for him to lead again. His record in fields of six or less is 5-8.
Bold Henry - 1pt @ 11/4
2.25 Sandown
Sandown has been anything but a happy hunting ground for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, however BRISTOL DE MAI could end the hoodoo in today’s Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase.
The Gloucestershire handler is without a winner at this afternoon’s venue in five years, statistics which hardly breed confidence in his exciting grey who bids for a hat-trick having again impressed with a tremendous round of jumping at Haydock last time.
Only Ar Mad has been able to lower the colours of the selection over fences this season and he was required to record a time five seconds faster than the 169-rated Sire De Grugy managed in winning the Tingle Creek Chase on the same card to do so.
Bristol De Mai has gone from strength-to-strength since being stepped up in trip and his experience of Sandown should stand him in good stead for what looks an intriguing duel with the talented Tea For Two.
The Gloucestershire handler is without a winner at this afternoon’s venue in five years, statistics which hardly breed confidence in his exciting grey who bids for a hat-trick having again impressed with a tremendous round of jumping at Haydock last time.
Only Ar Mad has been able to lower the colours of the selection over fences this season and he was required to record a time five seconds faster than the 169-rated Sire De Grugy managed in winning the Tingle Creek Chase on the same card to do so.
Bristol De Mai has gone from strength-to-strength since being stepped up in trip and his experience of Sandown should stand him in good stead for what looks an intriguing duel with the talented Tea For Two.
Bristol De Mai - 1pt @ 7/4
3.00 Sandown
There looks the potential for a decent gallop here with Yala Enki and Invicta Lake keen to force the pace.
The former stole a handy lead when taking a similar heat at Kempton last time but there must be a chance that IBIS DU RHEU can reverse the placings. The selection was held up off a modest pace at Kempton yet stayed on well to beaten less than four lengths so the step up in trip on a stiffer track should suit and his yard have won this three times in the last six runnings.
Baywing has gone from a mark in the late 80s to 135 and was arguably at his most impressive at Haydock last time. He will be tough to beat even if he was raised a further 10lb for that comfortable five length success and takes on a tougher level of rival here.
The former stole a handy lead when taking a similar heat at Kempton last time but there must be a chance that IBIS DU RHEU can reverse the placings. The selection was held up off a modest pace at Kempton yet stayed on well to beaten less than four lengths so the step up in trip on a stiffer track should suit and his yard have won this three times in the last six runnings.
Baywing has gone from a mark in the late 80s to 135 and was arguably at his most impressive at Haydock last time. He will be tough to beat even if he was raised a further 10lb for that comfortable five length success and takes on a tougher level of rival here.
Ibis Du Rheu - 1pt @ 5/1
3.30 Sandown
Four runs over fences at Sandown for LE REVE have yielded form figures of 2113 including a win in this race 12 months ago. In the circumstances, he ran well at Doncaster last week over a trip shy of his best and on ground a shade too quick and he has always been a better horse going right handed (5-15 RH, 0-8 LH). The application of the blinkers may help to reignite the fire.
Events haven’t panned out for Black Thunder this term, but he showed enough first time out at Cheltenham before an unfortunate blunder to be highly competitive in a race of this nature.
Events haven’t panned out for Black Thunder this term, but he showed enough first time out at Cheltenham before an unfortunate blunder to be highly competitive in a race of this nature.
Le Reve - 1pt @ 5/1
3.40 Leopardstown
This looks to represent a wonderful opportunity for Cheltenham Gold Cup third ROAD TO RICHES to follow up his Clonmel victory before Christmas.
That race has worked out exceptionally well with runner-up Bright New Dawn scoring this week at Clonmel, third-home Felix Yonger winning twice in Grade 2 company since, including at Punchestown on Sunday, and First Lieutenant (3rd) excelling in both the Hennessy behind Smad Place and the Lexus Chase when only narrowly beaten by Don Poli. Noel Meade’s charge would need to underperform markedly not to win this.
That race has worked out exceptionally well with runner-up Bright New Dawn scoring this week at Clonmel, third-home Felix Yonger winning twice in Grade 2 company since, including at Punchestown on Sunday, and First Lieutenant (3rd) excelling in both the Hennessy behind Smad Place and the Lexus Chase when only narrowly beaten by Don Poli. Noel Meade’s charge would need to underperform markedly not to win this.
Road To Riches - 1pt @ 1/1
2.05 Ffos Las
After four starts over fences this term, SILSOL returns to hurdles to defend his crown in this event off a mark just 3lb higher than when successful 12 months ago.
Jack Sherwood, in the saddle last year, is back on board and there looks no reason why the seven-year-old shouldn’t go well again given he handles bottomless ground and clearly loves the track.
His efforts over fences have hardly been indicative of a horse that is regressing and, only two starts ago, he chased home the classy Seeyouatmidnight at Kelso so could be some value today.
Jack Sherwood, in the saddle last year, is back on board and there looks no reason why the seven-year-old shouldn’t go well again given he handles bottomless ground and clearly loves the track.
His efforts over fences have hardly been indicative of a horse that is regressing and, only two starts ago, he chased home the classy Seeyouatmidnight at Kelso so could be some value today.
Silsol - 1pt e/w @ 6/1
3.15 Ffos Las
BOB FORD beat one remaining rival in this event 12 months ago and should go well again at this favourite venue providing his fall in the Welsh National hasn’t taken the edge off him. Admittedly, the Rebecca Curtis-stable could be in better heart at the moment, but I thought that when their gelding ploughed through the mud to win at the west Wales track before Christmas.
He is 9lb higher than when successful that day but, with his ability to handle what could be atrocious conditions already confirmed, he still appeals as the safest conveyance – a comment which illustrates what a perilous race it is for an investment!
He is 9lb higher than when successful that day but, with his ability to handle what could be atrocious conditions already confirmed, he still appeals as the safest conveyance – a comment which illustrates what a perilous race it is for an investment!
Bob Ford - 1pt @ 3/1
2.45 Wetherby
NATIVE RIVER didn’t look entirely happy at Kempton over Christmas where the tight contours of the Sunbury venue appeared to take him out of his comfort zone.
Colin Tizzard’s six-year-old should be more at home on the galloping straights of Wetherby and he is fancied to bounce back to the form which saw him run out an impressive scorer at Newbury on Hennessy weekend. Rider Brendan Powell described him as an ‘aeroplane’ that day on dismounting and he has always been held in very high regard by his connections so it taken to vindicate the faith.
Colin Tizzard’s six-year-old should be more at home on the galloping straights of Wetherby and he is fancied to bounce back to the form which saw him run out an impressive scorer at Newbury on Hennessy weekend. Rider Brendan Powell described him as an ‘aeroplane’ that day on dismounting and he has always been held in very high regard by his connections so it taken to vindicate the faith.
Native River - 1pt @ 7/2
