2m (1m7f216y) bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
I don’t think the disappointing Knappers Hill is a worthy favourite here – whatever happened to him needing to go up in trip? It’s a proper handicap with nearly two stone separating top from bottom, though the top rated DOCTOR PARNASSUS gets in 6lb well in thanks to his four-year-old allowance. For that reason I can’t pass him in the betting at 13/2, which is fair at worst for a horse who has Grade 1 aspirations. My biggest fancy would be the other Skelton horse, BOOMBAWN, who has a 5lb claimer and races off a relative featherweight. He ran credibly in maidens behind the likes of Jonbon before having his wind fixed, and his form figures since then read 211. The 2 came on soft going at Doncaster where he went down a few lengths to a 130 rated horse, and, as a son of Dylan Thomas, good ground appears key to his chance. He’s going the right way and looks well treated.
1pt win Doctor Parnassus @13/2, 1pt win Boombawn @12/1, 13:50 Sandown
Leave a comment