Alan Potts was one of the biggest supporters of National Hunt racing in recent seasons and many racegoers at Cheltenham will pause to reflect on his contribution to the sport on Friday as the late owner’s familiar red, green and yellow colours go to post for the first time since his sudden death on Monday.
Potts enjoyed his finest moment at the track eight months ago, when Sizing John and Robbie Power finished nearly three lengths in front of Minella Rocco in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Finian’s Oscar, a Grade One winner over hurdles last season, is the horse in the string with the most obvious potential to reach a similar level over fences, and he will be the favourite at around even money when he lines up for this afternoon’s two-and-a-half mile novice chase, a race with a fine record for highlighting top-class chasing prospects.
Finian’s Oscar is a worthy market leader after an 11-length success in Listed company at Chepstow on his debut over the bigger obstacles last time out, even if the bare form of that race is a little suspect as Alcala, his only serious rival in a four-horse field, slipped up when still in the race with every chance. He faces just three rivals again today, but the standard is significantly higher and William Henry (2.25) could be a value bet to beat him at around 3-1.
Nicky Henderson’s runner is the only one in the field without a previous start over fences, but he does have valuable experience of Cheltenham, having finished a close second in a Grade Two at the track in January before recording a very impressive success in a novice hurdle at the April meeting. Henderson took this race 12 months ago with O O Seven, who was also making his chasing debut, and like so many of his stable companions, William Henry’s long-term future has always been over fences.
Elsewhere on the card, Vision Des Flos (3.35), another runner in the Potts colours, showed enough on his debut in the Persian War Hurdle at Chepstow to suggest that he can improve past the winner of that race, Poetic Rhythm, on 5lb better terms. That was Poetic Rhythm’s fifth start over timber and both the experience and the weight concession should help Vision Des Flos to find the six lengths he needs.
Exitas (1.50) is up another 10lb to a mark of 123 after his third win in four starts at Ascot last time, but he raced off as high as 137 over hurdles and his latest success suggested better yet to come.
Cheltenham is naturally the centre of attention today, but Jack Of Diamonds (7.45) is another runner worth bearing in mind at Chelmsford City this evening. He is unlikely be getting any better at the age of eight but ran right up to his best when second at Wolverhampton last time out and may appreciate a slightly longer trip today in a race that should be run to suit him.
Friday’s tips
Cheltenham 12.40 Dueling Banjos 1.15 Magic Dancer 1.50 Exitas (nb) 2.25 William Henry 3.00 Cause Of Causes 3.35 Vision Des Flos (nap)
Lingfield Park 11.50 Not After Midnight 12.20 Ballesteros 12.50 Choice Encounter 1.25 Part Exchange 2.00 Top Mission 2.35 Persistence 3.10 Flowing Clarets 3.45 Termsnconditions
Newcastle 12.30 Jassas 1.05 Chu Chu Percy 1.40 An Laoch 2.15 Katy Royal 2.50 Dica 3.25 Chanceanotherfive
Chelmsford City 5.45 Haylah 6.15 Corked 6.45 Georgian Bay 7.15 Hammer Gun 7.45 Jack Of Diamonds 8.15 Miss Mirabeau 8.45 Iley Boy 9.15 Entertaining Ben
