Jump Racing ~ Saturday November 10th

[BillyHills]

Wincanton 3.25: Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase (Listed) (3m1f110y) A funny race this with three of the fancied horses Diamond Harry, Michel Le Bon and Zarrafakt all making seasonal debuts after interrupted campaigns last year, they all pulled up in their last starts over fences and look risky propositions. Golden Chieftain is the horse in form after a facile win last time but has been hiked up by the handicapper so this may well be left to one of the less exposed sorts in Ballyallia Man from the Tom George yard, he’s has a spin over hurdles to put him right and could be well handicapped despite being 2lbs out of the weights. The Package could run well now he is more reasonably handicapped and is an alternative. Selections: 1pt EW Ballyallia Man 12/1 Paddy Power 1pt The Package 8/1BetVictor Full Preview; http://www.punterslounge.com/wincanton-betting-ballyallia-man-the-choice-in-badger-ales-handicap-at-wincanton

[beaker1]

Re: Jump Racing ~ Saturday November 10th 2:05 Kelso – Flannigan Skip Hire Handicap Chase BLENHEIM BROOK was a decent novice last year, winning easily at Newcastle and showing a good attitude to win at Ayr. He finished the season running off a mark of 138 at Perth, but has been given a chance by the handicapper here, as he runs off just 130. First time out this season I watched his run at Kelso closely and he travelled well for a long way over the three miles two furlongs trip, but then started to fade from three out. It looked as if he was in need of the run and the Lucinda Russell stable has a good record with horses improving for having their first run of the season. This drop in trip should also suit and with the going in his favour and the yard in good form, he is fancied to run a big race. 2:15 Wincanton – totepool Rising Stars Novices’ Chase Paul Nicholls has a great record at this meeting and won this race last year with Silviniaco Conti. He has a great opportunity of winning it again with POUNGACH. A useful hurdler, including finishing second to Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham, he has promised to be a good recruit to chasing. Unfortunately he came down on his chase debut at Chepstow, but he cleared the fence well, just crumpled on landing. He should have learned from that experience and I am sure the team at Ditcheat would have schooled him, so he should be a different proposition here. He has the potential to progress a long way over fences and with Ruby Walsh in the saddle, in a race the yard do very well in, he is fancied to win. 2:50 Wincanton – totepool.com Elite Hurdle PROSPECT WELLS was a very good horse on the flat, rated 108 at his peak and he ran well on several occasions as a novice hurdler last season. He really impressed me on his hurdles debut at Chepstow, hurdling well, before quickening clear of the field. He also ran a fine race when conceding Raya Star eight pounds in the Ladbroke Hurdle, finishing a close fourth off a mark of 142, so given that Raya Star has now gone up to 155, a mark of 146 may under-estimate him. It is also worth noting that he beat Vulcanite by over eleven lengths when finishing a close fifth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, yet is now rated just one pound superior. Ruby Walsh rides in preference to Zarkandar and in receipt of 17 pounds, he should prove too strong for his stable-mate. Prospect Wells goes well fresh, comes from a yard in form, is well handicapped and should prove hard to beat on ground that suits. 3:35 Sandown – Blue Square Bet Handicap Chase IMPERIAL CIRCUS is a fascinating runner here. As a four year old, he was a useful point-to-pointer, winning easily at the second time of asking after falling when in with every chance on his debut. He subsequently moved to Philip Hobbs and faced the tough task of taking on Sprinter Sacre on his debut under rules, finishing sixth, beaten around 20 lengths. He then ran a great race next time, beating Rolling Aces at Taunton and then a good race to finish second in a competitive handicap at Newbury off a mark of 120 and then on his final start he won a handicap at Exeter. With the new rules in place, he could not make his chase debut in a handicap, but now that he has had one run, he can and off a mark of just 118, he looks very well weighted. It could also be significant that both his wins under rules have been on right handed tracks, as well as his win in a point-to-point and today he returns to a right-handed track. Another positive is that he has the assistance of the useful conditional James Best, who is in fine form at present, winning 4 of his last 15 starts. All in all Imperial Circus has a lot going for him and can be expected to run very well.