Only five declared for tomorrow's Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown; course and distance winner Irish Saint is probably the percentage call but he's likely to be priced accordingly in what looks a rather trappy renewal. For that reason, I'm off to Ffos Las for a wager.
In the West Wales National (2.40) I'll chance Oliver Sherwood's Global Power who missed the cut for the Welsh National at Chepstow if memory serves...
I happened to tip the beast for Warwick's Classic Chase three weeks ago but he was withdrawn on the morning of that race. Theatrical Star beat the selection a neck at Fontwell in December before coming home a good second to Hawkes Point in the Warwick showpiece.
The ground and trip should suit but there are dangers aplenty including last year's runner-up Firebird Flyer, Ziga Boy who was travelling very well when coming to grief in the Mandarin Chase at Newbury and David Pipe's Smiles For Miles who has shown good form this season.
Generally available at 6/1, Global Power is the selection.
The Welsh Champion Hurdle (2.05) has a competitive look to it but I'm drawn to another Sherwood inmate, Puffin Billy. This one failed to get into any sort of rhythm in the Ascot novice chase won by Irish Saint just before Christmas; he fell heavily at the last when well beaten.
Connections have chosen to revert to the smaller obstacles here; there's no denying that fall is a concern.
That said, he was good enough to finish nine lengths second to Melodic Rendezvous off a rating of 150 two years ago and then fifth behind Champagne Fever, My Tent Or Yours, Jezki and company in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the 2013 Festival.
Supporters of the fancied Foryourinformation will point to a noteworthy fourth behind Out Sam, Thomas Brown and Tea For Two in November and a second behind Value At Risk, although he was 22 lengths adrift at Newbury.
In his latest run in a Class 5 maiden hurdle over course and distance he only just landed the spoils by a neck from Warren Greatrex newcomer April Dusk.
I'm not wholly convinced but there are several better judges who feel the handicapper has let him in lightly.
Racing off a mark of 143 tomorrow, Puffin Billy (12/1 bet365) rates an each-way play in a race where six of the field are obliged to carry more than their long handicap weight.
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Plenty of money for selection Global Power who was sent off 4/1 favourite. An attritional race ensued on the heavy ground with Bob Ford (16/1) making all to win in splendid isolation, his sole challenger Gorgehous Lliege (6/1) refusing at the last with all the other runners having been pulled up along the way; the selection lost ground on the final circuit and was pulled up before the fifteenth. Drama followed with Callum Whillans eventually jumping the last on Gorgehous Lliege to claim second place. The race was not a pretty spectacle.
Earlier Puffin Billy (8/1) ran mid-division in the Welsh Champion Hurdle but in the desperate ground his effort petered out up the home straight; he was pulled up two from home. Sisol (8/1) took the honours with Kayf Moss (20/1) second and Foryourinformation (6/1jf) third.
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