Jump Racing Wednesday 18th

[switzerland]

I will definitely be making a lunchtime visit to the bookies tomorrow to watch the first at Newbury. Looks a cracking race with the likes of Grumeti, John Ferguson's Art History, Sud Pacifique, Crafty Roberto, a Teofilio offspring, etc. Grumeti could hardly have been any more impressive on his hurdling debut and he has to be on anyone's Triumph shortlist. He has a penalty to carry here but that might not stop him. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw Sud Pacifique as an entry. He had a flat rating in the 90's and was pretty popular on this forum. A very exciting recruit to the jumps game - not sure if I'd back him in this race mind. You couldn't discount any John Ferguson runner and his Art History was going ok at Doncaster last week before racing out. Definitely a race to keep an eye on.

[Bathtime For Rupert]

Re: Jump Racing Wednesday 18th 2.50 Southwell - 3pts win Chac Du Cadran @ 5/1 (Bet365) Even though this is a competitive-looking handicap hurdle, only one horse really catches my eye in it, and for that reason I think 5/1 is generous. Chris Bealby's winning pointer has made a big impact since being sent over hurdles and can notch up his second success under rules here. He ran a hugely encouraging 2l 2nd, and staying on, over 2m4f at Wetherby on his debut, and confirmed this promise when staying on determinedly to hold off the well-bred Desert Joe by 3 1/4l at Towcester next time out. That horse - also a point winner - was bought for £25k by Alan King and was sent off a 13/8 favourite for the race. Chac Du Cadran looked like a galloper with stamina on this occasion as he relentlessly kept going to pull away from his rival, who got himself on terms at 2 out. At the line, my selection had him well covered and it was a good effort. The step up to three miles was always likely to suit, and it will bring out the best in him. It was not the distance that saw him beaten 12l into third last time, but the competition. He met two well-treated rivals in boggy conditions at Uttoxeter - putting 15l behind him to the 4th placed runner. The winner of the race Thehillofuisneach was already well-in having won his previous race by 6l, and won in a higher grade to complete the hat-trick next time out off a mark of 130 - 22lbs higher than at Towcester! My selection gave him 6lbs but if they were to meet tomorrow, the weights would be reversed by fully 30lbs. Likewise, Theologist, who was second at Towcester, won easily next time out. He won by 12l to be now rated 125. He received 12lbs from my selection but were they to meet again tomorrow, there would be a swing of 11lbs. Giving weight was always going to be tough in the very testing ground, but I think he can carry top-weight to victory here. He's due to go up 6lbs and hopefully there won't be anything as well-treated today. I think there's certainly more to come from the horse, who can make Tom Messenger's travel to Southwell for the one ride a worthwhile one.