Wednesday is a key date in the diary for serious punters, as the weights for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival the week after next will be published and the business of trying to find a long-priced nugget of gold amid a daunting wealth of possibilities will begin in earnest. And it is just as well, given that there will be no jumps racing in Britain until Friday at the earliest and it is up to the all-weather programme to keep turnover rolling until the elements relent.
Even the all-weather tracks are beginning to feel the strain, however. Newcastle’s card on Wednesday evening is off following an 11am inspection. Chelmsford City has also announced an inspection at 1pm on Thursday before its scheduled card on Friday.
“We have about four inches of snow overnight and we have more forecast today,” Andy Waitt, the clerk of the course, said on Wednesday morning. “We will take a look tomorrow afternoon to check we are where we need to be in terms of clearing the snow. It is more of a health and safety issue than a problem with the track. We also need to check the surrounding roads are safe for people to get to the course.”
Doncaster’s jumps meeting on Friday has been abandoned due to snow on the course, and Thursday’s card at Clonmel in Ireland has gone the same way.
Compatriot (3.50) is a short price for the 12-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton, but it is difficult to see past Olly Murphy’s runner after he made a successful debut for the stable last week. That was Compatriot’s first run beyond a mile after some fair performances in defeat when for his previous trainer in Ireland, and he has plenty of scope for further progress at middle distances. A 6lb penalty should not cause him too many problems.
Shamlan (2.45) ran well over seven furlongs last time out but needed another furlong to produce his best and will get that, while Jeremy’s Jet (2.15), a close fourth at Kempton last time, should also go well in the opener.
Wolverhampton 2.15 Jeremy’s Jet 2.45 Shamlan 3.20 King Kevin 3.50 Compatriot (nb) 4.25 Upavon 4.55 Dubai Acclaim
Newcastle, Musselburgh, Wincanton and Market Rasen abandoned
– Tips by Greg Wood.
