SUPERNAPS HAT-TRICK BID: Daqman yesterday landed his supernap with Uncle Alastair (WON 4-6) at Ayr, which follows on Tara Bridge (WON 11-10) on Tuesday. Can he land a hat-trick of supernaps at Wincanton this afternoon?
BIG BEN PLUNGE FOR SANDOWN
It’s not so silly to follow this winner. While the Dublin festival dominates the weekend jumping scene, Sandown has the clash of Buveur d’Air and Defi Du Seuil in a new Contenders trial for the Champion Hurdle.
But the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase could be just as informative, having thrown up winners like Bristol De Mai, Medermit, Oscar Whisky and Punchestowns.
The ‘traffic islands’ near Esher were some of the first to be built and the locals, who right from the start called them the ‘silly islands’, established the official Scilly Isles title by constant usage and a bit of tongue-in-cheek wordsmithing.
Nicky Henderson, who has won the novice chase four times since 2010, has left in only Terrefort, a Guillaume Macaire import from Pau.
His only English chase was a 10-lengths runaway at Huntingdon but beware a plunge horse, Benatar, when you’re doing your form prep for the race.
Benatar came in from 9-2 to 15-8 favourite with bookies during the week after a hat-trick since November.
It may be an indication of the improvement in Gary Moore’s six-year-old that he was more than eight lengths off Finian’s Oscar over hurdles but pipped that one over fences in a photo-finish at Ascot in December.
LION HEART OF AINTREE QUARTET
Grand line-up: Blaklion, who was fourth last year, is one of four Daqman horses to follow among 105 entries for the Aintree Grand National on April 14.
The three others all have dates at the Dublin Festival on Sunday: Total Recall (2.25), Anibale Fly (3.35, Irish Gold Cup) and Cause Of Causes (4.10), runner-up for Daqman in last year’s National.
WINCANTON FROST WARNING..
3.00 Wincanton Evan Williams (On The Road) scored in this last year, taking a race that usually goes to outsiders at 16-1, following on 16-1 and 18-1 winners of the first two runnings.
But Paul Nicholls interceded with a hot favourite in 2016, and it’s hard to bet against his youngster Captain Cattistock.
The five-year-old, ‘a lovely big chaser in the making’ (quote unquote Nicholls), surprised connections when he won on the course in November.
But it would be another surprise if he ‘got beat’ today under the fabulous Bryony Frost. I expected odds on but could take 2.52 on BETDAQ.
3.35 Wincanton Another five-year-old, Siruh Du Lac, gets weight all round on his hat-trick bid, inevitably having to step up a grade because of an overall 12lb rise.
The reverse happens with Kayf Adventure, up 6lb but down in grade today after a class-2 CD win here at Wincanton on heavy. It means that he has to carry 11st 12lb.
His stamina, and his steel for the battle, is not in doubt as a son of Kayf Tara out of a Strong Gale mare: 4.8 on BETDAQ early mouse.
Le Boizelo won the novice event on the same day on the same card, and makes up a fascinating trio of youngsters here.
One time Albert Bartlett third and Kim Muir fourth at the Cheltenham festival, Grand Vision may find the years taking their toll at 12, and Ballinvarrig is expected to need the race.
Vic De Touzaine was runner-up in this last year, also on heavy, but has pulled up in three of his last four starts.
4.00 Towcester There are several short-priced favourites around today, and easy to pick the one that comes unstuck, so I’ve swerved them all.
I could get 3.85 Norse Light this morning, and call him the winner despite his drop back in trip. The ground and the Towcester hill finish should bring his stamina into play.
Conversely, Pembroke House’s form reads like ‘an old plodder’ (he gives four years away to Norse Light). His chase record is 1-22 and he’s been second or third 14 times. Bridesmaid? No, matron of honour.
Barney From Tyanee is a maiden. Saveron has been out of form for nearly two years (first-time blinkers need to find for a lost 25lb in ability). Mr Bachster is 13 now and I find him contrapuntal!
DAQMAN BETS (staked to win 20 points)
SUPERNAP: BET 20pts win CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK (3.00 Wincanton)
BET 5.25pts win KAYF ADVENTURE (3.35 Wincanton)
BET 7pts win NORSE LIGHT (4.00 Towcester)
DAQ MULTIPLES: BET 3 x 2pt win doubles and 1pt win treble the three above.
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