Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Funny how the weather always seems to turn just in time for the Festival. It’s a pleasant day in Cheltenham with enough sun to make you appreciate the warmth as you wander down the road to your newsagent. There is also a breeze. These are drying conditions. Brain Power conditions.
Whether they’ll last until Tuesday is the next question but I note with interest that the lump of rain which had been forecast for Sunday has now almost entirely drained out of the forecast I use. Simon Claisse, Cheltenham’s clerk of the course, can still see 3mm to 5mm on his forecasts, which are more expensive than mine. But he thought, as we mulled it this morning, that we might well be heading for pure ‘good to soft’ by Tuesday morning if the current forecast holds up.
The 5-1 about Massini’s Lady (2.35) at Carlisle is the best I can do for a jump racing bet today. The most interesting thing about her is the form of the Nick Alexander yard, which has sent out five winners from seven runners in the past fortnight, or five from five if you only count handicap chases.
Being out of a mare who won cross-country races in France, Massini’s Lady looks a fair prospect for chasing, in which sphere she makes her debut today. She hasn’t shown much over hurdles, though two of her three efforts this season have carried her into the frame. She’s 5-1.
Newcastle’s card tonight amounts to the most interesting action of the day. Dubai One (6.45) is the nap, Godolphin’s three-year-old taking on older horses in the sprint handicap.
She comes from the Saeed bin Suroor yard that was badly hit by a virus last summer, which may possibly have delayed her debut until September. Since then, she has looked most progressive and her rating would be lenient if she had more to offer on this first start since December. Her half-brother won a Group Two in Meydan last week. She’s 9-4.
Via Via (7.45) is popular at 6-4. James Tate’s five-year-old only had a couple of runs last year, in the autumn, but still seemed on a significant upward curve and it’s good to see him back early in the year. He’s only gone up 5lb for beating 13 rivals at Newmarket last time.
Thursday’s tips, by Chris Cook
Carlisle
2.00 Raise A Spark 2.35 Massini’s Lady (nb) 3.10 Johanos 3.45 Mossies Well 4.20 Present Times 4.55 Loch Ba 5.25 Hands Of Stone
Newcastle
5.45 Spirit Of The Vale 6.15 Harbour Siren 6.45 Dubai One (nap) 7.15 Mandrell 7.45 Via Via 8.15 Orlando Rogue
Southwell
2.10 Viola Park 2.45 Luv U Whatever 3.20 Bounty Pursuit 3.55 Escalating 4.30 Whosyourhousemate 5.05 Pick Of Any 5.35 Go George Go
Wincanton
1.50 New Reaction 2.20 Unison 2.55 Flaming Charmer 3.30 Multiculture 4.05 Coole Cody 4.40 Knight Of The Realm 5.10 Dark Invader
(all times GMT)
