Racing Chat - Thursday 19th November

[Villa Chris]

1.30 Market Rasen 

Tower Bridge 10/1 ew paying 4 places

Been off for best part of a year and may need run, but nice price for a horse that showed some strong hurdle form. Has also been sent chasing and produced some good runs, although pulled up last twice in two big competitive handicaps over in Ireland . Does most of his racing in Ireland and only comes over for the big festivals, so interesting that he’s been sent over for this.  Aidan Coleman on board. 

[The Brigadier]

MUCKAMORE (2.03 Market Rasen) makes his chasing debut in what looks an interesting novices’ handicap chase. An Irish point winner he ran three times in novice hurdles last season winning easily at Taunton in March at odds on. Prior to that he bumped in to two decent novices in Imperial Alcazar and Southfield Theatre. His initial mark of 125 looks fair with the only slight concern the ground which is officially good (good to soft in places). He’s only raced on soft ground so far in his short career but that’s not to say he won’t handle it well. His sire was 3^rd in the Irish Derby on good to firm and won the Gran Criterium on heavy whilst on his distaff side there are good ground winners.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is in ok form with 5 winners from his last 39 runners (he had a winner at Ffos Las this afternoon) with his son Sam in the plate.

The main danger is another fencing newcomer Dr Newland’s  Minella Encore who has yet to be out of the frame in 8 runs under rules. He’ll be fit and should run well but I’ll take a chance on the Twiston-Davies 6 year old.

1 point win @ 2/1 bet365

FIRST LORD DE CUET (1.30 Market Rasen) was heavily punted when finding one too good at Sandown last time over 2m4f and will surely appreciate the step upto 2m 7f here as he is a former Irish point winner. He’s been raised 2lb for that effort and wears first time cheek pieces here which may help him in the finish. This is a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier for the final at Cheltenham in March so you may find a few of the higher rated horses happy to just finish in the first six to qualify for that day. No such issues with First Lord De Cruet as he need to get himself up the ratings to get himself into that final.

1 point win @ 3/1 Paddy Power

Roger Varian sends three up the A1 from Newmarket to Newcastle and he can be rewarded with a treble.

DUBLIN PHAROAH (1.50) appears to have little to beat and with conditions to suit can get the treble off to a flying start despite his short odds.

TEONA (2.50) bumped into a smart one of William Haggas’ on her debut over course and distance pulling well clear of the third. She’ll be well supported so take the first early price.

LEGION ON HONOUR (4.20) hasn’t been seen since running Devious Company to 3/4l at Haydock in June and with the winner that day going on to finish runner up in two Group 2’s and now rated 104 that was a fine effort. Back in 3^rd was Jadoomi who’s now rated 106, 4^th Youth Spirit now rated 104 and the 5^th has won twice since (91). He’s had a slight setback since but is back working well and although Archie Watson’s Colonel Faulkner will have his follower’s I’m with the Varian horse to give the stable a Wolverhampton treble.

2 point win treble @ Evs, 4/7, Evs  (5.29/1) bet365