Jump Racing - Monday 14 May

[Edberg]

7.30 Towcester MARTIAL LAW 8.00 Towcester OPERA OG double 5pts to win at 2/1 bog (Paddy Power) Martial Law was a very good horse on flat in Australia where he collected 3 wins, 2 seconds and 3 thirds in 16 races (Oct 2008 - May 2011) but went a bit below the big expectations they had about him as this son of Galileo was an expensive purchase in November 2006 (210,000gns) and was sold again at similar prices (260,000 and 230,000) in 2007 and October 2009. Moved to David Pipe's yard this winter he's been struggling a bit but last time out (Ffos Las, 2m4f, heavy) making his debut in handicap hurdles off 106 and racing in in first-time blinkers he was desperately unlucky not to open his account over hurdles as he fell landing from the last jump and he had already got a 6L advantage before the last flight so it was just him to lose it. Racing just 5 days later gives him the chance to get into this race off his old mark of 106 and in such a small field with Santo Thomas as his main danger (whose recent record reads: UR, 2nd and well beaten and PU on his last three starts) Martial Law stands a huge chance here. Opera Og is a former PTP winner (2 years ago) but had an unsuccessful first season (2010-11) over hurdles and needed a long time to get used to chasing this winter but he finally got his confidence and form over fences to a decent level and won in impressive style last time out. That was 4 days ago at Wincanton, 2m, heavy, off 79, and he won beating very easily by 8L Blue Hills who was coming from 2 easy wins himself. With another entry for Wednesday's meeting at Fontwell Opera Og is the typical Venetia Williams-trained handicapper that once in form can get an easy hat-trick of wins.