A short post this evening - apparently Easter holiday obligations have to take priority. I still can't quite put my finger on the precise moment when, many years ago, it all started to go wrong.
Anyway, the result is I haven't done the detailed homework required for the Challenger Series Finals card at Haydock tomorrow but, what the hell, I'm going to have a wager in the Staying Chase Final at 3.52.
Favourite Bavington Bob has won his last four on the bounce; Ann Hamilton's charge has risen from a mark of 116 to 139.
Kap Auteuil beat Coral Trophy fifth Galahad Quest at Stratford last time and is now on a career high mark of 140.
Musical Slave's two length third behind Win My Wings at Exeter in January reads well, given that Win My Wings subsequently went on to win the Eider at Newcastle and the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
I've never been totally convinced this one is totally committed to the game - at Sandown last time the form book indicates Tom O'Brien 'cajoled' his mount mid-race before the pair came home ahead of Notachance. Connections will hope first-time cheekpieces aid the cause.
Breizh Alko is talented but has legs like glass while Quartz Du Rheu will certainly appreciate better ground.
Enqarde and Snuff Box complete the line-up and both are course and distance winners; the former is of interest.
Dr. Richard Newland's charge beat Remastered ten lengths in the Tommy Whittle here last December before being pulled up behind The Galloping Bear in the Grand National Trial in February. The going at Haydock that day was extremely testing - only three of the 11 runners completed - and a fortnight later Enqarde underwent wind surgery.
This is his first run since and he wears a tongue-tie for the first time. Drying ground should help and I'd like to think he can be competitive.
7/1 at the time of writing, I'm going to have a bet on Enqarde to win.
Off to sort some Easter presents now...
1 comment:
Plenty of money for Enqarde who was sent off at 100/30.
Turning into the home straight the selection looked to have every chance and held a narrow lead jumping the third last.
Unfortunately the first-time cheekpieces worn by Musical Slave (7/1) appeared to do the trick as Philip Hobbs' charge didn't need anywhere near as much cajoling as last time; the gelding went on to show far too much resolution for my liking after the second last, coming home six and a half lengths to the good...
Happy Easter.
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