A round-up of five horses it could pay to follow this weekend and for the rest of the season.
Saturday 13:50 Sandown
Nicky Henderson is holding all the aces in the Champion Hurdle market and CALL ME LORD could prove to be a leading contender at a track he has a 100% record. The seven-year-old put in an incredible effort to finish second at Ascot in November, then followed that up with victory in the International Hurdle, beating the likes of Pentland Hills and Ballyandy that day, the latter going on to score at Haydock recently.
Saturday 14:25 Sandown
LAURINA travelled extremely well on her chase debut at Gowran Park, where she beat the current second favourite for the RSA Chase, Minella Indo, by eight lengths. Mullins’ mare was pulled up last time out, where she bled and never got going, but the longer trip should suit at Sandown. She receives 7lb against the field and will love a bit of cut in the ground.
Saturday 15:10 Leopardstown
Despite a field full of Group 1 winners, it’s difficult to look past the unbeaten mare HONEYSUCKLE who has been faultless in all seven victories to date. The only reservation you might have is that she has been used to winning at 2m 4f, but drops in trip for this spectacle. It will be very interesting to see whether connections target the Champion or Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Sunday 15:00 Leopardstown
Reinventing the legendary FAUGHEEN as a chaser this season looks to be an absolute masterstroke by the Mullins yard. The twelve-year-old continues to defy his age and has rekindled his friendship with the winners’ enclosure, going two from two this term. The Marsh Novices’ Chase looks the obvious target for the Machine and a win here would be the perfect preparation.
Sunday 15:30 Leopardstown
The Irish Gold Cup is going to be one of the best markers for this season’s Cheltenham showpiece, with three of the field all currently 10/1 or less for the 3m 2f race at Prestbury Park. Delta Work got the better of rivals KEMBOY and Presenting Percy at Leopardstown before the turn of the year, but it is the former who I fancy to flip the formbook on Sunday. Kemboy is entitled to come on for that run and the way he beat both the 2018 King George champion and 2019 Gold Cup winner at the end of last season shows he is a gelding with bags of ability on his day.
