Alverton
David Marshall’s Blog, March 23
Looking ahead to Exeter, Kempton and Southwell
Star of the show and probably the future is the exciting Philip Hobbs gelding Captain Chris, whose dam Function Dream ran up a string of victories in the top two mile events at the turn of the millenium, the Castleford,Victor Chandler and Game Spirit, before being denied a chance to win the Champion chase when the festival was postponed due to foot and mouth, a super prospect for connections.Power Shared was shattered when departing at the last on heavy ground at Uttoxeter end of January, but given a decent break, he holds a good chance at the weights in the novice handicap chase. Having fallen at the last fence twice in his last four outings when leading, Dovers Hill reverts to hurdles under a different pilot today, Gold Cup winning jockey takes over from Tom Siddall. The seven race card ends with a hunter chase, one of which is held at all three courses today.
Exeter opens with a selling hurdle, a rare sight to see champion trainer having two entries, wonder if Milton Harris will have his chequebook ready, the usual purchaser of Nicholls cast off’s in this sphere. Magic Sky one that springs to mind, Smoothly Does It, travelled so on his debut for the Venetia Williams yard at Towcester when second, compensation awaits, decent five runner novice chase where ironically Vodka Brook runs half an hour before Dovers Hill at Kempton, the Alner gelding was the beneficiary when that gelding fell at Taunton last time, outsider to consider in the last, the bottomweight Call Me Sir, especially if there is market support for it.
Southwell takes a break from the all weather with the first three chases before the brush hurdles are rolled on for the final four events of the seven race card. Long standing silks for jump fans the Shone colours, Fair View, Sugarally a couple of my favourite of their era, are carried aboard Samurai Way for Venetia Williams who bids to win the handicap chase with a decent prize up for grabs. A confidence boosting drop in class saw Along The Nile easily win at Catterick last time, a tougher claimer this time, he must go close again.
Daily Tip
14:00 Kempton – Captain Chris
