Alex Hammond racing blog including reaction to Native River's victory and the Grand National weights
Alex Hammond reflects on the Grand National weights and a high-class weekend's action in her latest racing blog.
Saturday saw stylish winning returns from Altior and Native River. How impressed were you – and what about their Cheltenham prospects?
Wow and wow! Altior just blew me away. 'Stylish' accurately describes his slick performance and even though Min bounced back at the Dublin Racing Festival the previous weekend, I don't think Nicky Henderson will be losing too much sleep over the next month. He's now 4/6 with Sky Bet to win the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and whist that doesn't make me rush to back him, I'd rather be with Altior than against.
By all accounts he is expected to improve significantly for his Newbury outing and the good news is that jockey Nico de Boinville said he didn't hear any evidence of the breathing issue that afflicted him when he was being prepared for his aborted run in the Tingle Creek.
Just one word of caution, Willie Mullins has given Douvan an entry this weekend and who knows if his intermittent lameness issues will be a thing of the past come Cheltenham, or in fact if he runs in the Champion Chase or the Ryanair. All may become clearer on Saturday.
So Altior was electric at Newbury and as I was sitting watching the horses before the start of the Denman Chase, I contemplated backing Native River for the Gold Cup. For some foolish reason I didn't bother and was kicking myself as the race unfolded.
He wasn't as visually scintillating as Altior, but he did just what was required for a horse having his only prep race for the Gold Cup. He hadn't been seen in competitive action on a racecourse since his third placed finish in last season's Gold Cup, after which his trainer Colin Tizzard felt they would have a different approach to this season's big race.
Prior to his run last season, he had won a Hennessy, a Welsh National and the Denman Chase. Two of those efforts were significant and may have left an unseen mark on the horse. The same cannot be said for the way he has been campaigned this time around and it could be said he has had the perfect preparation.
Might Bite is the obvious danger, but other than Nicky Henderson's enigmatic star stayer, the race has a really open feel to it. The only slight reservation I have is the unknown ground conditions at this stage - his chance would be significantly enhanced if the ground comes up soft in mid-March.
There was a very impressive performance from Saint Calvados in the Kingmaker – how big a threat could he be to Footpad and Sceau Royal in the Arkle?
The Arkle is the toughest test of a two mile novice chaser as they will be going faster than they ever have before, but still lack experience over fences; a nerve-wracking combination.
Footpad is an exceptional jumper for a novice and so far I've been really impressed with his athleticism, he's a natural jumper. Having said that, Harry Whittington's five-year-old jumped very proficiently, particularly as the fences at Warwick aren't the easiest for a young inexperienced horse.
Saint Calvados started his career in France and these former French-trained horses are often good jumpers as extensive schooling is part of their early training regime and they learn over a variety of obstacles. Incidentally, both Footpad and Sceau Royal began life in France too. Petit Mouchoir is also among a strong Irish challenge for the Arkle, but I can't get away from Footpad; he's incredible.
The weights are published for the Randox Health Grand National – what's catching your eye at this admittedly early stage?
I've fallen into my usual trap and already had a bet on the National and we haven't even got through Cheltenham yet!
The reason I got sucked in is that I was tempted into a small each-way wager on a horse called Binge Drinker, but now he doesn't run! I'm a long-standing fan of Ucello Conti and can't believe he hasn't won yet for Gordon Elliott.
He's a 33/1 shot, but a reproduction of his effort in 2016 could see him run another good race. He has a couple of decent efforts over the big fences, but I am beginning to lose a bit of faith.
Of the shorter priced horses, maybe the National could be the making of Minella Rocco? Jonjo O'Neill's classy chaser hasn't won since his victory in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016, but a second place in the Gold Cup last year amongst some other decent efforts make him an interesting contender if he takes to the fences.
He hasn't been let in lightly with 11st 7lb, but he has the class and stays well. To be honest, there is an awful lot of time to get stuck into the National and I'll pay it closer attention after the Festival.
Incidentally, if you fancy a bet, Sky Bet are now non-runner no bet on the race, it's a pity I didn’t wait a bit before getting stuck in...
The Betfair Ascot Chase looks a warm heat on Saturday – who are you siding with?
Well it's an interesting little race that's for sure. Paddy Brennan is back on board his old pal, Cue Card, after one unsuccessful outing under Harry Cobden in the Betfair Chase.
I heard Joe Tizzard speaking earlier this week and he said the 12-year-old looks as good as ever. If he's the performer of old he is one to fear at a decent price, as he has won this prize on his only two previous starts at Ascot.
So Cue Card is unbeaten in two starts at Ascot, well Top Notch is three from three at the Berkshire track. There has been sustained support for Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old who comes into this as the winner of a couple of graded chases; the 1965 Chase at Ascot and the Peterborough Chase, which was run at Taunton this season.
He runs here in preparation for the Ryanair at the Festival. I really like him, but he seems short enough at 7/4.
Irish raider Coney Island is only rated a pound below Top Notch and should run well for Eddie Harty and Barry Geraghty. He won a Graduation Chase at Ascot last time out (December), which was his first run for a year. Prior to that he was runner up to Our Duke in a novice chase. He's always been held in high regard, but has obviously had some physical problems.
Waiting Patiently comes down from Ruth Jefferson's Malton stable and it shouldn't be a wasted journey. He's a serious horse and is five from five over fences and unbeaten for the Jefferson team.
It's easy to underestimate the northern challengers, but it would be an arrogant assumption to think they have to prove themselves on what looks like a stronger southern stage.
This horse was sent down to Kempton last month and beat a strong field in Listed company. He beat Politologue in January 2017 and is teetering on the edge of being top class. At 5/2 with Sky Bet, he's the one for me.
What else do you fancy this weekend?
I’ll be interested to see how Gold Present fares if he runs in Ascot's Swinley Chase. He could be Nicky Henderson's best chance of winning a first National (of any type, surprisingly).
He's been allotted 11st at Aintree and comes into Saturday's race having won both his starts over fences this season.
He has already had a sighter of the National fences when running in the Topham last April.
He fell there, but having watched the replay I can't be convinced that he was knocked over at the melee at the Canal Turn.
Having had a closer look at his form again, I think I should have included him in my previous answer about the National weights!
Next Off
Most Followed
MOST READ RACING
