DON ALVARO is expected to give his rivals weight and a beating in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap Chase (2.40) at Wincanton this afternoon.
A one-time winner from seven attempts over hurdles, the Paul Nicholls-saddled six-year-old didn’t pull up any trees when last of four over three and a quarter miles at Newton Abbot last month on his chasing debut.
But the son of Muhtathir looked a different horse altogether when tackling a handicap chase for conditional jockeys over this course and distance 12 days ago.
Ridden as today by Angus Cheleda, Don Alvaro came home a convincing 15-length victor from De Barley Basket.
The British Horseracing Authority handicapper was never going to take that performance lying down, and my selection has gone up 12lb in the weights to a new rating of 114.
But Don Alvaro, on whom Cheleda claims a useful 5lb allowance, has plenty more to offer in this sphere and should defy top weight.
At Chelmsford City, SUN FESTIVAL gets the vote to end a frustrating run of seconds by beating nine opponents for the Book Online At chelmsfordcityracecourse.com Handicap (Div I) (8.00).
Sun Festival went under by a short head to Night Eagle at Lingfield Park on his latest start 145 days ago, and looks capable of defying a 1lb higher mark to go one better.
Thursday's selections
NEWCASTLE
12.00 I AM GONNA BE
12.33 AAZZA
1.03 GREAT RAFFLES
1.38 FAITQUE DE L’ISLE
2.13 LUCKY LOVER BOY
2.48 GERYVILLE
3.23 PEAKY BOY
MARKET RASEN
12.17 ROCK HOUSE
12.47 LADY BABS
1.20 DAME DE FORTUNE
1.55 CHECK MY PULSE
2.30 BOWTOGREATNESS
3.05 CAIUS MARCIUS
3.40 THATZA DAZZLER
WINCANTON
12.25 CORNICELLO
12.55 STORMIN CROSSGATES
1.30 THOMAS MOR
2.05 ROSY REDRUM
2.40 DAN ALVARO (NAP)
3.15 KILLYBEGS JUNIOR
3.50 SAMI BEAR
CHELMSFORD CITY
5.00 MAJESTIC PRIDE
5.30 LAURENTIA
6.00 LONGSIDER
6.30 MAY SONIC
7.00 SHADES OF SUMMER
7.30 VAPE
8.00 SUN FESTIVAL (NB)
8.30 LISDARRAGH
DOUBLE: DON ALVARO and SUN FESTIVAL
