It’s a wonderful time of the year. I’m always very excited to get the jumps season off to a proper start as we start to finish the Flat races and see the momentum start to pick up in the National Hunt action.
We’re only at the bottom of the mountain and running to start that climb, so here are some names to look out for in Chepstow on Saturday: Live on Sky Sports Racing.
My noble Lord
1:35 Champion Equestrian Junior Hurdle
Day two of the Jump Season Opener in Chepstow kicks off with an exciting junior competition. Rapid Mission represents last year’s winning owner, Mrs Kate Kenyon, after Balboa was a ready-made winner 12 months ago, with Seamus Mullins’ utility hurdler actually running in the second race on the card. Kotgar is bred by Aga Khan and makes his first start for Evan Williams, while Alan King now replaces Rakki on the flat in search of his first success.
The city of London has a beautiful background and is associated with the Nemean Lion’s backyard favorite, but that seems to be about it. My noble Lord in the famous JP McManus silks. The son of Noble Mission scored an 83 rating on the Flat for Michael Bell and I feel he sets the standard here for the team of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero who are constantly improving the quality of their stock.
You lied
2:10 Paul Ferguson jumpers to follow 4-YO barrier
In the second race on the card, I’m excited to be back You lied. I’m a big fan of this horse and loved seeing him progress last season for Paul Nicholls. The Cracksman gelding is uncomplicated and could potentially do anything here. Things didn’t go to plan for him in the Boodles at Cheltenham as his jumping lacked real smoothness and Harry Cobden eventually pulled him, but I’m looking forward to seeing him back at this venue.
He was due to run in this meeting last year before being withdrawn due to heavy ground, although he actually scored at Aintree in similar conditions and looks effective on most surfaces. I know Nichols hasn’t had the strongest start to the two-day event, but I’m not worried about Leary going back as he usually goes well fresh.
Cuthbert Dibble
2:45 Tom Malone Bloodstock Novices’ Chase
An Unexpected Party took this Listed event last year for Dan and Harry Skelton, so Boombawn could be one to return to winning ways for the same stable, but I find it difficult to oppose the Nigel Twiston-Davies runners at the moment as his yard is currently in superb condition and Sam Twiston-Davies also kicking plenty of winners away from their runners.
Cuthbert Dibble represents them here, with the six-year-old winning at the track in late January after a break before continuing at Haydock next month. He has been very experienced on his last two outings and his run in the Pertemps final at the Cheltenham Festival was particularly exciting. Physically, Keif Tara’s son presents himself as a chaser, so I’m excited to see what he has to offer to tackle bigger obstacles for the first time.
In the garden
3:20 Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle
The Silver Trophy looks as competitive as ever with a distinctive open look. However, In the garden is a horse I really want to see in the parade ring beforehand. The five-year-old is running his first race since carrying heavy weight to finish fourth at Newbury back in March where he was trying this trip for the first time (2m3f).
He had two great performances before that to win over the same track and at Taunton, both over 2m½f, but I still think he’s in a competitive position here, especially at his second attempt at this distance.
Dry
5:10 Unibet Open NH Flat Race
Finally, we close the card with bumpers and while Paul Nicholls has a good record in the race and is represented by a useful looking Keel Strand, second in his only start in the Irish point-to-point; I want to play a one-way game Dry For the red hot team of Peter and James Bowen.
Flying Fortune was a great winner in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle on Friday, so fingers crossed their form continues here with their Worcester winner, who should have more to offer in this field.
Watch Chepstow live on Sky Sports Racing…
