Alverton
David Marshall’s Blog, March 14
Looking ahead to Market Rasen, Towcester and Warwick
The sunday prior to the greatest jumps festival anywhere provides an entertaining day at three courses whose diversity explains why the sport is a different challenge every day. The gruelling uphill slog at Towcester, the tighter though fair test at Market Rasen and the five quick fences to test any chasers ability at Warwick.
When I started going racing Market Rasen used to book end the National Hunt season, end saturday evening in June and start the next season in August. I was lucky enough to see Night Nurse make his hurdling debut at the Lincolnshire venue in August as a three year old, the quickest horse I have ever seen over a flight of hurdles. Tarabaloo was very impressive at Ayr last time, but she was keen enough and with no guaranteed pace in the race the extra distance may be a worry if she fails to settle.
A low grade Cheltenham at Towcester with three ridiculously tricky handicaps mid card, Nomadic Warrior has plugged on the last twice at Uttoxeter in a style which looks suited to the hill at Towcester.
I love to see old stars remembered and the Crudwell Cup still survives at Warwick, just over two circuits and the one doubt for favourite backers would be the jumping at speed of Supreme Keano. Double Pride battled on well on heavy ground last time, the poser will he be as effective on the sounder surface, or could he be even better for it, a progressive sort, I think he will handle the conditions admirably.
