Alverton
David Marshall’s Blog, March 16
Looking ahead to Cheltenham Day One and Sedgefield
Not that it needs promoting, but great to see the BBC pulling their finger out on breakfast news where strictly champion cum sports presenter Chris Hollins gave a mention to the Champion Hurdle in a newspaper review and said it goes off around 3 o’ clock.
Suppose Brian O’ Connell is on a hiding to nothing aboard Dunguib, not my price so I am going each way the Mullins second string Flat Out. Stating the obvious, but the Arkle will be a serious test jumping wise, as Sizing Europe was so brilliant at Punchestown earlier in the season I am going for him. I have always adored Bensalem since he won at Chepstow last season. I love to play combination exactas in big field handicaps, therefore my four against the field are Bensalem, Character Building, Nenuphar Collonges, ran a great race in the same event last season and Offshore Account.
I can see four or five taking a pull coming down the hill in the big race, will Ruby go off steady or breakneck? Zaynar must race handy, there could be a bit of scrimmaging round the home turn, I love Zaynar and it’s great for Andrew Tinkler to have a chance in the Champion. Punjabi must be thereabouts again. Sizing Australia to reverse placings with Garde Champetre, what price Andrew Lynch top jockey without Ruby, and a longshot in the David Nicholson mares, a buy on the spreads, four places, the grey decent ground essential mare, Argento Luna.
Paddy Power sponsor the entire card at Sedgefield where Sea Venture pulled far too hard throughout the race at Musselburgh last time and has a good chance today if settling better.
Today’s Tip
16.00 Cheltenham – Sizing Australia
