A busy week of National Hunt racing saw yet more ante post moves. Let’s take a look at a few of them and try to find you a horse or two to keep an eye on this week.
Dusart makes a great start at Newbury
Nicky Henderson’s novices at Newbury always deserve respect. Related to Simonsig, Dusart proved himself to be a talented sort when claiming victory on his first start, pulling away at the line to win nicely.
He could be one to benefit from a step up in trip. Soaring Glory was giving him weight, but I think he is a fair yardstick to beat on debut. Where he goes next will be of interest to me, with riding Nico De Boinville using the words “proper horse” in an interview with RTV after the race.
The rider was clearly pleased with how he had gone about his business. He screamed a type to improve for further, subsequently being priced at 25/1 for the Ballymore with BetVictor. I think that looks very fair and expect him to be significantly shorter than that for the race come March.
🐎Dusart soars to victory on his first start for @sevenbarrows after landing the Download The tote App Novices' Hurdle in the hands of @NdeBoinville 👏 pic.twitter.com/PT1DB5kJOv
— Newbury Racecourse (@NewburyRacing) November 5, 2020
Ga Law rises to the challenge at Wincanton
BetVictor Brand Ambassador Jamie Snowden claimed a big win at Wincanton on Saturday with his French import Ga Law. The race had cut up a little with just the three going to post and Grand Sancy’s errors stopped the race from being a contest earlier than we would have liked. That said, the manor of the victory was eye-catching and the four year old could not have done it any better.
He has lofty targets with a spin at Sandown in December earmarked as his next possible target. Whilst his weight allowance as a four-year-old will continue to reduce as the season develops, he sits as a 25/1 shot for the Arkle next year.
Delighted for @jamiesnowden @fgmitchell1994 and the whole team at Folly House.
We have been lucky enough @BetVictorRacing to follow Ga Law from the start, safe to say he has a big future 🏆pic.twitter.com/C6aqcYFnho
— sam sports mad (@sportingsamcan) November 7, 2020
Gordon’s winning train rolls on at Navan
Another weekend and another big name horse goes in for Gordon Elliott. The Meath based handler saw Sire Du Berlais get up to beat French Dynamite in a thrilling finish to the Lismullen Hurdle. Elliott’s dual Festival winner must be considered one of the better contenders for the Stayers’ Hurdle in March. The form of the race last year seems questionable and with his previous Cheltenham record, it is hard to think he won’t step up to be a big player in the race.
Currently, the eight year old is a 10/1 shot with BetVictor for the race. We can expect to see him out again at Christmas where he could well move into clear favourite in March with another win.
Two-time festival winner Sire Du Berlais wins the Lismullen Hurdle at @NavanRacecourse. Mark Walsh the winning jockey and @gelliott_racing the winning trainer. pic.twitter.com/tOX2yyDYfT
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 8, 2020
ITV Treats On Thursday And a Name to Watch
ITV deserve huge praise for the way they have covered racing since the pandemic took grip. Like everything, new challenges have been met with extended coverage and this bonus Thursday takes in the Clonmel Oil Chase.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Doddiethegreat catches my eye for Nicky Henderson. Nicky has plenty in the bumper but to my knowledge this is the first horse that Kenny Alexander has had with him. He has had plenty of decent success at the top level of the National Hunt game and this four year old by Fame and Glory is, to my knowledge, his first horse with Henderson.
The Gold Cup Gleams On A Busy Weekend
Racing on the weekend is boosted by sensational cards at Cheltenham and Punchestown. The Gold Cup at Cheltenham takes centre stage, as ever I will be having a hunt to find the winner in my weekend blog, but at this stage I am keen on Simply The Betts for Harry Whittington. I have everything crossed the course and distance winner will be reunited with regular rider Gavin Sheehan who has been aiming to return from injury at this meeting. The market is still headed by Saint Sonnet of Paul Nicholls, seen just twice in this country. He was a four time winner in France, and it will be no shock to see the former champion trainer land another big Saturday handicap prize.
A fantastic mare – Happy Diva prevails in a thrilling BetVictor Gold Cup last year in a feel-good success for @beaubai and @richpatrick17.@CheltenhamRaces return tomorrow! #WelcomeBackCheltenham pic.twitter.com/nQkG5jvDaW
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 22, 2020
