Alverton
David Marshall’s Blog, March 17
Looking ahead to Cheltenham day two and Huntingdon
Sincerely hope that some of the predicted rain arrives, preferably night time, because by the end of the week there could be a spate of withdrawals. As the ground livens, there becomes a greater emphasis on jumping, accuracy and speed the trait of any Champion chaser, therefore today’s renewal promises to be a cracker. Believe the danger to the favourite on the prevailing terrain is Big Zeb. As conditions are often bottomless in France it must be a worry for connections of Long Run that for his biggest test, the ground is so good, the speed at which he tanks along will make for some spectacle. He would not want to brush through the tops of many fences on today’s going, therefore stablemate Punchestowns for me.
There has been that many entered for the handicaps, so I have waited for declarations before studying. Again ground dependant, after very good runs on ground softer than he prefers resulting in a comfortable win and a decent fourth,I came to the conclusion that Gold Award could be potentially well weighted in the Coral Cup. At 40’s early evening, and up to as big as 65 on Betfair, so I availed myself to a few quid, backed down this morning and then I realised Mr Segal had tipped it up. Can he have two 40-1 tips obliging at the festival?; I hope so. More of a worry is the owner, how often does Her Majesty have two winners at Cheltenham? Because my nap of the meeting, Barbers Shop, runs tomorrow, good luck maam.
Faster ground, unfamiliar partnerships in the National Hunt Chase, owner David Maxwell has got some great leaps out of Noakarad De Versee the last twice at Huntingdon. Convinced jumping will need to be at a premium today. I will stick with him at a price. I have been impressed with the wins of The Knoxs up north and with some of the principles possibly prefering, a shock result may be in store for the Neptune.
A full complement of runners for the final two events. Since it’s introduction, the Fred Winter juvenile has thrived, rather apt for such an icon of the sport. Gutted that recent Doncaster winner Gilded Age failed to make the cut, though guilty of repeating myself, one of these flat breds may well show improve form for the better ground. The bumper has an equal split of twelve Irish raiders and twelve from the home contingent. Sadly as far as betting is concerned there is only one british horse in the first ten, the Paul Nicholls trained Al Ferof, and he’s a French bred!.
Cannot let today pass without a mention for Sophisticated Lady, who I backed at Huntingdon three weeks ago. Under today’s pilot the excellent Miss Gina Andrews, I suggested she might come back for this, and lo and behold she finds herself with what can only be described as an attractive weight, nap material.
Today’s Tip
13.45 Huntingdon – Sophisticated Lady
