Advertisement
The sccene at Leopardstown yesterday. INPHO/Donall Farmer

Mark Your Card: the best bets for today’s Grade racing

There might be a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow today. Probably not though.

KEMPTON’S WAYWARD LAD Chase today looks to be nothing more than a benefit for Simonsig.

Having had what his trainer described as nothing more than a schooling session last Friday when winning at Ascot he turns out again and quite frankly it would be folly to oppose him.

Hinterland, in receipt of 9lbs for the four-year-old allowance could be the one for the forecast. But it would be a huge shock if Simonsig was beaten.

Peterborough Chase

Six have been declared for the Peterborough Chase which has been rescheduled for the second time. For Non Stop was taken out of the King George today because of the ground and it will be interesting to see if he turns up today. He does go in the ground and won his point to point over 3m on heavy back in  2009.

He probably has the best from in the race having finished just in front of Ghizao when they were second and third behind Captain Chris at Ascot in November. Prior to that he had destroyed the field in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, although that was on good ground and he set off at a breakneck pace. Today will be a more tactical affair.

Menorah never inspires confidence over fences while Hunt Ball ran very poorly in heavy ground at Cheltenham. French Opera is having his first start of the season and while the Henderson team are flying at the moment it remains to be seen if he will handle the ground. They made a lot of use of Ghizao at Ascot last time and he just tired near the end while For Non Stop didn’t jump well when held up in that race. I think that if ridden with a bit of restraint Ghizao can turns the tables on For Non Stop who looks a better horse when making it at a decent pace and I don’t think he can do that tomorrow. Ghizao the selection to give Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls another big winner.

Desert Orchid Chase

Five have been declared for the Desert Orchid Chase over two miles. Sanctuaire will have to be ridden with some restraint he if he’s to get home in these conditions. He faded rapidly the last day when taking on Sprinter Sacre. He can be a bit temperamental  at times and I’m going to take him on with Wishful Thinking who appears to have had his breathing problems sorted. Kumbeshwar was probably flattered to take second of Sanctuaire the last day so I’ll take a chances with Wishful Thinking to give some compensation to connections after the heroic run by Captain Chris today.

Dial a Bet Chase

It’s Paddy Power Day at Leopardstown and Sizing Europe will be a short odds on to collect in the Dial a Bet Chase over 2m 1f. He’s looked a better horse this year than last and I was particularly impressed by his run at Gowran Park in October when he looked to be cantering over the opposition. He was entitled to win his last race in Clonmel by the distance he did but it was the manner in which he did it that was impressive. The only one that I can see troubling the favourite is Rubi Light.

His trainer Robbie Hennessy has always said that he wouldn’t be afraid to drop him back to two miles and the way he loves to run from the front and his exuberant jumping means that he will make Sizing Europe work for his victory. I would love to see Rubi Light win for connections but my head says that Sizing Europe will prove too good once again.

Future Champions Hurdle

This has attracted a few talented sorts. Waaheb has only run five times in two years. However he has won four times and been runner up once. His last win came against much inferior opposition at Fairyhouse on his seasonal debut last October. That was his first run since May 2011 he he finished runner  up to the ill-fated Lovethehigherlaw in a Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown. He’s sure to improve but preference is for Jezki who impressed at Fairyhouse in December when accounting for Champagne Fever and Minsk in the Royal Bond.

He jumped pretty well that day and with three runs over hurdles under his belt he has the experience to handle this. Add in the fact that his trainer thinks he’ll be better going left handed and I think Jezki is the one they all have to beat.

Reproduced with permission from WhiteFlagIsRaised.com >>

Follow @whiteflagman on Twitter >>

2012 Reflections: Gaelic Football Part 2