CRACKING START TO 2016: DAQMAN set off his own fireworks on New Year’s Day when his FIRST BET OF 2016 Seeyouatmidnight was a Cheltenham winner at 7/2.
PRICEWISE CHALLENGE: The score yesterday was 2-1 to Pricewise in a rare reversal of form. Both went for Seeyouatmidnight in the Novice Chase but the Racing Post man got one up with Camping Ground in the Relkeel Hurdle. The challenge continues today at Sandown with Daqman still in a commanding lead of 18-6 (overall: 264-101).
TWO BIG RACES TODAY: Our man takes a comprehensive look through today’s best races at Sandown Park for the first Grade 1 of 2016, the Tolworth Hurlde. His Nap runs in that while he’s also got a selection for the other feature race, the Listed Mares Novice Hurdle.
SIDE WITH THE PARISIENNE YOUTH
12.40 Sandown (Listed Mares Hurdle) Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson hold the edge. The pair have the top three in the betting with two from the Closutton powerhouse, both Grade 1 winners. The home team is led by Polly Peachum from Seven Barrows.
The Irish duo, Gitane Du Berlias and Petit Parisienne, both of French origin as you can suspect, are not coming over for the scenery. The former won the Scilly Isles Novices Chase here last season before faltering after the last in the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse won by Gilgamboa. She has to put two slightly disappointing runs behind her here.
Of the latter, she’s twice a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile and chased home the very classy Bitofapuzzle at Fairyhouse in a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle for Mares. She was subsequently kicked 8 lengths clear in the Champion 4 Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown.
Like her stable companion, she has to put a disappointing run behind her when being easily beaten at Naas by Gwencily Berbas, a decent sort in his own right. Today’s trip may help though. At Fairyhouse over a similar distance, it appeared that she was ridden just to get home. She finished well to come second and with a more positive ride today, she should see it out better and will give her a better opportunity. Of the field, she appears to be open to the most improvement being just five.
Polly Peachum leads for Seven Barrows and, as is the theme of this race, she also has to put a defeat behind her. She was beaten at Kempton by Morello Royale over three miles. The form should be reversed today.
Having been just touched off in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham by Glen’s Melody, Henderson will no doubt be out for payback. It could be another for the Mullins team though but through Petit Parisienne.
MULLINS JUGGERNAUT CONTINUES IN TOLWORTH
2.25 Sandown (Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle) An embarrassment of riches. That’s how it is described regularly when we see another favourite for a Grade 1 alongside the name of W.P. Mullins.
The Champion Trainer scored his first win at Taunton on Tuesday with Myska, can he get his first Grade 1 win of 2016 at Sandown? He’s got another chance at Naas on Sunday, though I’m sure that won’t cross his mind as he watches Yorkhill today.
Undefeated in four completed outings so far. His only blemish in a Point to Point on his début when unseating two out when clear. He was impressive when brushing aside Road To Respect and Mall Dini at Punchestown over slightly further. The drop back in trip, on today’s ground, shouldn’t prove too much of a hindrance. Sandown in a stiff track and takes a bit of getting but this horse is by no means slow. Two miles shouldn’t be an issue and it is going to be hard to stop him.
Again, Nicky Henderson provides the most viable alternative to the Mullins hotpot. O O Seven is two wins from two runs over the sticks, including over today’s course and distance last time. The form of that race was franked by the second winning next time out.
Welsh Shadow is the only other possible option in, what could be, a good guide for the Novice’s at Cheltenham. The embarrassment of riches should continue today for the Irish Champion.
SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY: THE CHALLENGE CONTINUES
DAQMAN v PRICEWISE: SANDOWN PARK: The other selections come from my challenge with Pricewise. Three selections in three races with the Racing Post’s guru going with four selections in the same races.
1.50 Sandown Pricewise goes for Barrakilla. Daqman goes for Arthur’s Oak.
While Barrakilla has some very good form in some quality Handicap Chases, they are all over further. Today’s two miles will take a little bit of getting but not quite as much as the three miles the Evan Williams charge is used to.
I must say, I was of two minds here, Pearls Legend and Arthur’s Oak. In the end, I have sided with the latter who is proven on the ground, trip and stays well. Although he was beaten by Pearls Legend last February, both have improved since but Arthur’s Oak may have a little more to give, especially in today’s conditions. A 17 length winner last time on his seasonal reappearance, when making all, was all the convincing I needed.
3.00 Sandown On to the Veteran’s Chase and a very competitive one at that. Having run in the Becher Chase, the Grand National, and a Grade 3 Handicap at Cheltenham in November, this is a much easier task for Soll.
He jumped emphatically at Sandown two years ago when winning a good race and has won several times since. Soft ground is when he is at his best and he’s sure to be very fit after two good runs this season.
Pricewise goes for Tullamore Dew in the race.
3.35 Sandown Two against one. But I hope to only need one. Pricewise is siding with Melodic Rendezvous and Rayvin Black in the finale. I go with Mintrels Gallery.
Lucy Wadham’s charge comes here of the back of a win at Doncaster, beating Qewy by half a length. Consistent is a good way to describe this son of Refuse To Bend who is rarely out of the money. Trip and ground will not be an issue to him and he could still be unexposed off a mark of 126. The stiffer finish here will help. He ran well at Cheltenham last season when staying on strongly in a similar race.
DAQMAN’S BETS (Staked 1-9pts on strength, 10pts for a Banker)
BET 6pts win PETIT PARISIENNE (12.40 Sandown)
BET 4pts win ARTHUR’S OAK (1.50 Sandown)
BET 8pts win (nap) YORKHILL (2.25 Sandown)
BET 2pts win and place SOLL (3.00 Sandown)
BET 4pts win MINSTREL’S GALLERY (3.35 Sandown)
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