Keep an eye out for Hayley in the charity race at 5.15
Yet another Rich Ricci-owned runner looks the one to beat in the opener today, the JLT Novices Chase. Vautour was a joy to watch here last year winning the Supreme Novices and although he has jotted his copy book since, being a beaten 1/4 favourite at Leopardstown at Christmas, his confidence rebuilder in a Grade Two next time seemed to have gone to plan.
I liked the look of Ptit Zig, but his novicey fall last time deters me from backing him, so I’ll be adventurous and pop my money on the Michael O’Leary-owned Valseur Lido.
In fact, I think Mr Ryanair will be flying high in the next also as Edeymi has very decent prospects in the Pertemps in the second race of the day. He was second here three years ago in the Fred Winter when carrying almost a stone more than the winner. He goes into this race at the opposite end of the handicap this time and arrives here after an eye-catching spin in a qualifier so I’ll add him to my selections today.
The Irish are yet to land the Ryanair Chase and could it be that the sponsor lands this one as well? It’s by no means out of the question with Don Cossack (main pic) leading the betting. He comes here of the back of four wins including a Grade One on his penultimate run and a 44-length victory last time out.
His biggest challenge could come from Hidden Cyclone who was second in this race last season and finally got a deserved win on his last outing. Foxrock is another, after running well in defeat in the Irish Hennessy, that could cause the favourite a headache. Gordon Elliott’s horses have been running well this week though and I think he’ll have the favourite well primed.
The Ladbrokes World Hurdle is the most open it has been in years and I think Monksland is a great each-way bet in the race. Paul Nicholls’ Zarkandar should run a big race, a former festival winner and fourth in this last year, he looks the best of the British for me.
The last race is of course the charity race where I’ll be donning the silks myself. I’m about a 16/1 shot on Hurricane Ridge and hoping I run better than the odds suggest!
It is all for a good cause, of course, for the Injured Jockeys Fund, for which me and my rivals have raised around £120,000 which is cause for celebration, which I will be doing regardless of my finishing position!
