Buffalo to making winning Broadway audition in Grand National Trial
Published:
David Metcalf | February 19, 2016
Broadway Buffalo has plenty going for him in Grand National trial
The Grand National Trial takes centre stage on a cracking card at Haydock (14.40), and Broadway Buffalo looks decent value to land the spoils in the 3m 4f stamina sapping contest.
Trained by David Pipe, the gelding has won two of his three starts at the venue and was last successful when landing the Tommy Whittle Chase at the track in 2014.
Broadway Buffalo has had just five outings since that victory, and ran a blinder when runner-up to Cause of Causes in the 4m National Hunt Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival.
The eight-year-old was also far from disgraced when sixth of 29 to Wayward Prince in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr, and ran a most pleasing race on return to action when fifth to Thousand Stars in a Grade 1 hurdle contest in France.
Broadway Buffalo kept on well in the latter to be beaten just 4 3/4 lengths, and the winner is a very useful sort rated 150.
It makes Broadway Buffalo’s current mark of 140 look exploitable, and the son of Broadway Flyer is entitled to come on significantly for the run.
With underfoot conditions holding no fears, and the highly talented Katie Walsh in the saddle, Broadway Buffalo looks have everything in his favour at a track which clearly suits.
At Fishers Cross ready to rock in Rendlesham Hurdle
At Fishers Cross shaped really well when runner-up on his seasonal reappearance, and can go one better to land the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle (14.05).
The Rebecca Curtis trained gelding has been plagued with injuries, but showed that he still retained plenty of ability when a cracking fourth of 16 to Cole Harden in last year’s World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
At Fishers Cross kept on well to be beaten just 6 3/4 lengths, and only narrowly failed to get up for third.
That form reads well in the contest of this contest, and the nine-year-old comes into it having finished a fine second to Alpha Des Obeaux in a Grade 2 contest at Gowran Park.
Although not match for the easy 11 length winner, At Fishers Cross stuck to the task well having raced on the worst of the ground on the inside and it was an effort full of promise on his first start for 315 days.
If building on it, At Fishers Cross is going to be hard to beat, and I expect him to take this en route to a another crack at the World Hurdle for which he is currently 33/1 with Coral.
Selections
13.30: Fixe Le Kap
14.05: At Fishers Cross (NB)
14.40: Broadway Buffalo (NAP)
15.15: Box Office
15.50: Capard King
16.25: Duke Des Champs
17.00: Pearlysteps
Related
Coral’s top tips: Broadway Buffalo has plenty going form him in the Grand National Trial, so is decent value to land the spoils. At Fishers Cross can enhance his World Hurdle claims with success in the Rendlesham Hurdle.
