Sure, there may be Group 1 motion at Newmarket on Friday, however tomorrow is the Chepstow jumps opener and I can’t include my pleasure.
Remaining touches earlier than tomorrow’s @UnibetRacing Leap Season Opener. pic.twitter.com/BtGrkcQ0D9
— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) October 12, 2023
In isolation, the motion at Chepstow wouldn’t knock your socks off, however it’s the broader image of the ‘correct’ nationwide hunt season beginning at this time that I can’t cease fascinated with.
Forward of flag-fall on the Welsh monitor, at this time’s The Prime Three contains three horses to contemplate on the curtain-raiser of the winter jumps marketing campaign.
1:35 Chepstow – Aye Proper @ 4/1 with William Hill – 2pt Win
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I at all times discover veteran chases fascinating contests to try to discover a wager in as skilled, lovable characters get to compete towards horses of an analogous capacity at their grand age. What extra are you able to ask for?
The opening race at Chepstow features a good flurry of nostalgia and of the 10-runner discipline, it’s Aye Proper that makes probably the most enchantment.
The very best-rated horse within the race is all the way down to a mark of 150 which appears lenient contemplating he completed second in final 12 months’s Edinburgh Gin Chase when formally rated six kilos greater.
A Russian victory!
Sounds Russian will get the higher of courageous runner-up Aye Righ to land the function Edinburgh Gin Chase @KelsoRacecourse for @NRuthJefferson and Callum Bewley 🏇 pic.twitter.com/0SyBeNKPFE
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 22, 2022
The type of Kelso’s function race of the 12 months has labored out effectively because the winner, Sounds Russian, completed second to Ahoy Senor within the 2023 Cotswold Chase and is now rated 11 kilos greater and the sixth, Eva’s Oskar, received a precious Cheltenham handicap two months later.
Talking of the Cotswold Chase, you don’t have to return too far by way of the shape e-book to see Aye Proper’s third-place effort within the 2022 renewal behind the two-time Grade 1 winner Chantry Home and the lovable Santini.
Chantry Home recovers to win the Paddy Energy Cotswold Chase
It is a 4,000th winner for JP McManus!
Watch LIVE
📺 @ITV
📱 https://t.co/fkQLQLtgFY#ITVRacing pic.twitter.com/zgC0y8b9EK
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 29, 2022
In a veterans chase like this towards some horses who would recognize higher floor, Aye Proper will benefit from the rain-softened Chepstow floor and with a wholesome first-time-out document on his facet, 4/1 appears a good worth.
3:23 Chepstow – Chianti Classico @ 11/4 Common – 2pt Win
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As somebody who lives in Gloucestershire and covers the game for Gloucestershire Stay, it appears becoming that on the elected ‘first day of the nationwide hunt season’, I ought to put up Chianti Classico for the Andoversford-based Kim Bailey.
I spoke to Bailey on the finish of final season and one horse we spoke about was this gelding by Shantou who he holds in excessive regard at Thorndale Farm, a lot in order that he ran him within the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Competition.
Sadly for connections, he pulled up earlier than the final flight in a messy renewal of the staying novice hurdle, although a vet evaluation revealed he had post-race warmth stress which might clarify components of the run.
The ultra-progressive Chianti Classico completes the hat-trick this time period with victory within the £21,000 @VirginBet Handicap Hurdle for @kimbaileyracing & David Bass @wincantonraces to stay unbeaten over timber 🏇
Good to see Longshanks & Sean Houlihan are OK after their tumble pic.twitter.com/gvA02TLwBg
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 7, 2023
Earlier than that, the six-year-old bolted up on good to mushy floor at Wincanton by 24 lengths underneath David Bass to beat Stoner’s Alternative, who went on to win 107 days later for Fergal O’Brien, and the good galloper additionally has course kind on his facet because of his length-and-a-quarter victory over Henri The Second final October.
With an official score of 133, it’s fascinating that connections are sending him right into a novices’ handicap chase tomorrow relatively than an ordinary novice chase on his first begin over fences.
With the yard in good kind – two winners from eight runners within the final 14 days – and having his first begin after a wind-op, Chanti Classico is an unexposed sort who ought to be a cracking chaser this season.
3:58 Chepstow – Politacus @ 7/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win
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It seems as if the Fergal O’Brien yard is again on track following three winners over the past two days, one in every of which was a formidable debut over hurdles efficiency from Kamsinas at Worcester.
With this in thoughts, taking a swing at Politacus on her first public outing over obstacles doesn’t appear to be a foul thought.
In what would be the first and remaining piece of self-promotion in The Prime Three, I went all the way down to Ravenswell Farm final week to speak to O’Brien forward of the season beginning and one horse we mentioned was his five-year-old mare by Epaulette.
🗣️ “He is come again in wanting like a monster – he’ll go for the Welsh Grand Nationwide.”
I sat down with @FOBRacing to debate his sturdy crew for the 2023/24 Jumps Season.
‣ Dysart Enos
‣ Autonomous Cloud
‣ Oak Grove
‣ Shy Love
‣ Crambo
Likes and shares appreciated. pic.twitter.com/nQm1FBsB3U
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) October 9, 2023
The esteemed coach defined that he thought her fourth within the Grade 2 Mares’ Bumper on the Aintree Grand Nationwide Competition behind stablemate Dysart Enos confirmed good promise and the stamina she displayed over an prolonged two-mile journey is one thing to be enthusiastic about.
Subsequently, at this time’s step up in journey to 2m3f ought to work effectively and the rain that Chepstow will obtain in a single day may also profit her probabilities.
Taking winner of the finale! Politacus scores stylishly for @OBMRacing and @LiamHarrisonNH at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/8YaRFOLv5e
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 18, 2023
Moreover, Politacus has impressed in her education work from home and when requested about how good she could possibly be this 12 months, O’Brien mentioned: “If Politacus exhibits on the monitor what she has been exhibiting at house, she received’t be one million miles behind [Dysart Enos].”
At the moment’s job for Politacus received’t be easy because of the inclusion of Florencethemachine, a £120,000 buy for Paul Nicholls, and Related Story, a £32,000 purchase for Suart Coltherd who bolted up by 12 lengths on her final point-to-point begin, however my religion in her stays in situations that ought to go well with.
