Author: Paul Davidson

3m(2m7f213y) (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)   The Albert Bartlett has had some odd results over the years with it being a graveyard for favourites. In fact, only one favourite has been successful in the last 10 years, and it has paid…

3m (2m7f213y) (New) Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)  The Albert Bartlett has had some odd results over the years with it being a graveyard for favourites. In fact, only one favourite has been successful in the last 10…

2m4½f (New) Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)   After L’Homme Presse’s impressive success in the Brown Advisory Chase on Wednesday, The Glancing Queen will be very popular for the Plate.   Similarly, Imperial Alcazar, who was sent off favourite for the Pertemps last year before finishing down-the-field, has also…

2m1f (New) Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB) (Class 1) (4yo+) The support behind Dinoblue over the last week or so has been exceptionally strong, and she has to be feared based on her the performance of her first start for…

2m (Old) Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) AMARILLO SKY has been a huge improver during his first season over fences. Trained by Colin Tizzard, he has looked an incredible jumper and a slick traveller and looks to have the right credentials…

3m1f (Old) Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)   Vintage Clouds is competing in his fifth Ultima Handicap Chase and a victory this year would be even more baffling with the forecast better going for day 1.   7 to 9 year-olds have had the better of it in this race with…

2m4f (2m3f200y) (Old) Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)   Black Tears won the Grade 3 Quevega Mares’ Hurdle at Punchestown less that one month before The Festival last year on her way to winning the Close Brothers Mares’…

4m1½f Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+) Unseasonably quick ground looks to be on the cards at Newastle for the marathon four-mile plus Vertem Eider Chase on Saturday afternoon. Plenty of old-time marathon stayers coming into this, but you can’t keep me away from backing ECLAIR SURF again who…

3m4f Hollywoodbets Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) Plenty of question marks exist over several of these running in the Irish Grand National Trial with The Big Dog seeking to win this race back-to-back. He comes into this off a 9lbs higher mark, but was rather disappointing in…

2m5½f  (2m5f61y) Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A)  (5yo+) It typically pays to follow an unexposed novice-type in this handicap at Leopardstown and whilst Blackbow looks interesting on his handicap debut. MAX FLAMINGO and FAKIR D’ALENE have both shown enough in their short chasing career to expect that they can take a…