Kempton, Warwick & Punchestown

Wasn’t that much of a busy weeks racing but there was a few decent performances in England and over in Ireland.

We will start at Kempton and with the Silviniaco Conti Chase, this was due to be Altior’s return to action after being beat by Cyrname, but he was eventually taken out the race which left his stablemate Top Notch the new favourite. It was close in the betting with money coming in for Frodon before the off, he eventually went off 5/4 2nd favourite. Frodon went off from the front like we know he likes to, he jumped well after from jumping out to his left at a few of the fences. He had to be pushed along by Bryony Frost approaching the last where after he was pressed by Keeper Hill. Frodon was always on top in the run in and found that little bit extra which saw him eventually win by 1 1/4 lengths. Top Notch was bitterly disappointing, finishing 3rd 7 lengths behind Keeper Hill, he didn’t travel into the race like you’d normally expect him to and eventually weakened before the last fence. It was good to see Frodon back to winning ways after a somewhat disappointing start to his season, Paul Nicholls has said he will decide whether or not to give him a go in the Denman Chase or go straight to Cheltenham where he will look to defend his crown in the Ryanair (8/1)

Next was the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle, this one did go the way of Nicky Henderson, with Burrows Edge winning eventually by 9 lengths, travelling well throughout the race. It’s hard to say if he would of won had Debestyman who had a 3 length lead at the time not unseated his rider at the last hurdle. Notre Pari took a crashing fall at the last when he was level for 2nd with Burrows Edge at the time, he could of also gone on to have a say. I thought Echiquier ran a decent race to finish 3rd he had to swerve to avoid one of the fallers as did the eventual 2nd Vive Le Roi and he eventually ran on well to take 3rd in the closing stages.

Elsewhere on the Kempton card that was an impressive performance form Fingerontheswitch who won the handicap chase under a classy ride from Millie Wonnacott. They made eye catching headway from the back to challenge the leader at the time Touch Kick at two out, taking up the lead with one to jump and eventually going on to win by 10 lengths. There was another disappointing short priced favourite for Henderson with On The Blind Side, he hit one which close him his place, he eventually stayed on in the run in to get 3rd place in the final strides.

The burden of being a short price Henderson favourite didn’t hinder his last runner on the card Never Adapt. This was an impressive performance as she was very keen throughout the race, making a mistake 3 from home before making eye catching headway to join the leaders 2 out before being switched to the stands’ side, where she was ridden after the last before being eased down to win by 3 1/4 lengths. If she could learn to settle she could turn out to be a big player in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham where she’s currently priced at 8/1.

At Warwick the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices Hurdle, there was some drama before the race with the Colin Tizzard trained Harry Senior getting loose and getting and eventually being withdrawn. At the time he was the favourite for the race, with him being withdrawn this saw the Dan Skelton trained Shan Blue go off the eventual favourite. He led for the majority of the race before Harry Skelton looked to kick for home, but he soon had no extra to give and was passed by Mossy Fen and Decor Irlandais. These two fought out the finish between them with the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Mossy Fen just getting up to win by 3/4 of a length. I was disappointed with Shan Blue he just seemed to have nothing more to give after he was passed, i feel a switch back to 2m could suit him and is not one I’d give up on.

There wasn’t a lot of action on the Sunday but over in Ireland there was a couple of performances that could provide clues for Cheltenham.

First up the Killiney Novice Chase, this went to the short price favourite in Carefully Selected. He made all jumping well and keeping up a nice lead which was reduced to about a length with 2 fences to go. He looked to be in control approaching the last with Speak Easy behind before taking a crashing fall at the last, leaving Carefully Selected to win by 24 lengths from City Island. It’s hard to know where he will go come Cheltenham with him currently the 6/1 favourite for the National Hunt Chase, but he could also be an interesting runner in the RSA where he is priced 14/1.

The second race is the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle which has been won in the past by the likes of Vautour, Min and Douvan. It was Andy Dufresne who added his name to that list but it wasn't plain sailing for the odds on favourite, he travelled well behind Captain Guinness who raced keenly to pull his way to the front. Andy Dufresne made a mistake 2 from home leaving a few lengths for him to make up on Captain Guinness, this he did with the pair level jumping the last at which Captain Guinness made a mistake giving Andy Dufresne another shot at him. To his credit he took it and stayed on well to win by 3/4 of a length, the way he did stay on its quite possible he’d of still won had Captain Guinness not made that mistake. I could see Andy Durfesne running well in a fast paced Supreme at the festival where he is priced at 14/1, Captain Guinness being 16/1 for the same race.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this weekends round up, will be back next week where we will have the Champion Hurdle trial at Haydock as well as the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Ascot.