Stabletalk “I’ve saved this horse for this”
Published:
Dan Skelton gives us the heads-up
2.10 Ayr – Oldgrangewood
We don’t know what happened on his last run at Newbury. If you take that run out though, he has had an excellent winter. He has won three chases and got brought down at Aintree when looking like the winner. He’ll love the trip and the track at Ayr. It looks as good of a future champions novices’ chase as we have seen in a long time, It is such a good race. In a normal renewal I would be bullish but this looks particularly hard.
2.45 Ayr – Bertimont and Mohaayed
We have two in this Scottish Champion Hurdle. On old form Bertimont is still rated nicely and he only has to carry 10-05. He was travelling nicely in the County Hurdle but then was just found out up the hill. He still has it though and we are happy with him. I’d say he has got a good each-way chance in this.
Mohaayed ran really well in the County Hurdle and we do fancy him this weekend. It is a very competitive race though. To win this you need a horse who has speed and likes the fast ground and that can be said about both of my runners.
3.20 Ayr – Yorkist
I am really happy with Yorkist. He’ll wear cheekpieces in this race as I am looking to just get a little bit more of a push from him. This race will suit him. We do get more weight off Double W’s who beat him at Aintree. He has run well here before and he likes this type of track. If they go flat out then he has squeak.
4.30 Ayr- Whatduhavtoget
I’ve saved this horse for this. We have won this race for the last two years so we have an excellent record. She is a lovely mare and everything has fallen right for her. You can make a case for a few of them in this race but we expect her to have a big shout.
Sunday
2.30 Stratford – Honkytonktennessee
Honkytonktennessee is without a penalty here because he is running over hurdles this time rather than fences. He has good recent form. There’s another last time out winner in there and the horses at the bottom of the card have finished second recently so it is not an uncompetitive contest.
3.00 Stratford – Thisonetime
This race has cut up a little bit as there are only five runners now. Eaton Hill and Gray Day are decent though. They have to give us weight but they have an advantage off official handicap marks. Our horse turns out quickly but he only has to go up the road to do so.
4.10 Stratford – Starlight Court, Boston De La Roche and Defining Year
We have three horses in this handicap hurdle. Harry rides Starlight Court. He has got to be better than he is showing but It just isn’t really working at the minute. We have dropped him down in trip as further siding appear to be the answer last time.
Boston De La Roche ran ok last time but has had a long time off. He just needs to find his feet again following that long break but some of his novice form reads well.
Rio Gold Racing Club have a box at Stratford so they are running Defining Year too. He ran fifth in a seller last time out though so obviously this is a big ask for him.
