Grosvenor Sport ambassador Harry Skelton has a busy day of action to come from Warwick on Saturday, with the yard also providing several entries at Newbury.
Check out Harry’s thoughts in his exclusive preview blog.
Head over to the Grosvenor Sport website for all of our horse racing betting odds.
Emmas Joy picked up really well to win fairly comfortably at Wetherby last Saturday. She is a good mare on her day and the better ground definitely helped. We’re looking forward to the spring with her now.
Ardlethen ran okay again, with the blinkers sharpening up his jumping. Nothing is set in stone but we’ll look for a nice spring handicap. It’s the same for Northofthewall who did it well at Taunton. He’s a chaser in the making so we’ll look for a handicap hurdle on decent ground in a month or two.
Warwick, Saturday
Firak – 12:55
We’ve got plenty of runners this weekend and I’m looking forward to getting back on Firak in the novices’ hurdle. He travelled a bit too well on heavy ground here last time, but conditions should be more up his street in this. I think he’ll be competitive.
King D’Argent – 1:30
The handicapper has given him a real chance as he’s dropped down the weights and the drying ground will help. He ran well at Newbury last time and as long as he steps forward he should run very well.
Nube Negra – 2:05
We’re really happy with him at home. The Kingmaker has been the plan since Sandown and the ground is drying out which is what we want. He should take all the beating and after this we’ll hopefully head to the Grade One two-mile novice chase at Aintree. It was always the plan to miss Cheltenham and wait for Aintree. Hopefully the rain will stay away from Warwick on Saturday.
Ch’ti Diamond – 2:40
She has got some good form with Fusil Raffles, but has been off the track for a while with an injury. We’ve done plenty of work with her, but we fully expect this to bring her forward win, lose or draw. It looks a competitive race. Indefatigable is a good mare and we’re just getting our mare started. We have the spring in mind for her.
Two Taffs – 3:15
This looks like a suitable race for him. Track, trip and ground should all be fine as long as the rain stays away. We’ve been very happy with him, he’s had a nice freshen up since he last ran at Newbury and hopefully he’s goes close.
Mr Love – 3:50
He has had a bit of a break since he last won and we know he stays this trip well. He’s won his last three, so he’s progressing nicely and hopefully he’ll be bang there again. The handicapper will catch him at some point, hopefully he hasn’t yet, though!
Cadzand – 4:25
It was a really nice run at Newbury in November and we’ve given him plenty of time since then. He’s been working very well at home, we’re very happy and hopefully, he’ll take the beating. He’s a lovely horse for the future.
Newbury, Saturday
River Tyne – 1:15
Bridget [Andrews] has got some nice rides at Newbury and River Tyne ran okay in a bumper at Lingfield a month ago. This looks quite a warm novice hurdle and it’s her first day out over hurdles so I’m sure she’ll come on for the experience.
Anytimewilldo – 1:50
Hopefully, they go a good strong gallop as he likes to come off a fast pace. I think he might have come on for his run at a couple of weeks ago and we hope he’ll be competitive in what looks quite a tough race.
Flegmatik – 3:35
This has been the plan for a very long time but it’s obviously a hot race. He’s a horse we’ve always liked. The season after being a juvenile can be hard but Dan’s looked after him. He’s a chaser in the making really and he’s a staying two-miler at the moment so hopefully, the ground doesn’t dry out too much for him. He has a nice racing weight and we hope he runs a good race.
Redzor – 4:10
He never got into the race at Kempton over Christmas for some reason. He’s had a nice break since then and the better ground will help him.
Wilde About Oscar – 4:45
He looked really good when he won at Warwick. It’s not very often we run one in these sort of bumpers because we see them as jumpers for the future. It’s a very hot bumper and he deserves to take his chance.
Altior and Native River
If you saw the video of Altior schooling, you’ll know he looks alright at home anyway. If you’re a proper Altior fan, then you really have to back him for the Champion Chase before Saturday’s race. If he’s impressive he will surely be favourite again.
At this stage, Defi Du Seuil looks a worthy favourite for Cheltenham, but things can change very quickly. If Altior wins well, it’s going to be some race at the Festival with Defi and Chacun Pour Soi all taking each other on.
Native River looked good at Aintree last time and I’m sure Jonjo [O’Neill Jr] can’t wait to have a spin round Newbury on him. He’s won this race twice already and on form, he is easily the one they all have to beat.
All our odds available at the Grosvenor Sport website.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.