Friday, October 05, 2012

Jumpers for the weekend?

A very quick post in a week that has seen some high-profile withdrawals from the Arc (Danedream and Nathaniel) and three footballers, including Ipswich Town's Michael Chopra, charged with 'serious breaches of the rules of racing'.

Most punters will concentrate on the Flat fare on offer at Ascot and Newmarket tomorrow. In contrarian fashion, I've looked at Fontwell's NH card where the forecast overnight rain could yet prove troublesome.

Rowan Tiger and Cabimas have been in action recently and may have a fitness edge over their rivals in the feature at 3.25. Top weight Paintball won the Sandown Imperial Cup off a mark of 128 in March - he's ten pounds higher now but Kielan Woods claims five; Paintball looks the class act in a race where a couple take on better opposition for the first time. Rowan Tiger was nine lengths behind in fourth in the Imperial Cup - after taking jockey claims into account the two meet on similar terms tomorrow. Much will depend on the ground and fitness - if the tissue price of 13/2 is available I'll consider Paintball provided the going isn't too soft.

Lawney Hill's Cap Elorn is an interesting entry in the three mile chase at Uttoxeter on Sunday (4.25). This one, formerly with Paul Nicholls, went well for a long way on his first try over the larger obstacles in a conditional & amateur riders' race at Worcester last time out. He looks to have more on his plate here but the handler commented recently the gelding 'jumps beautifully'. I'll consider an each-way interest if the 14/1 tissue price becomes available.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Two howlers...

Paintball (9/2) may have been the class horse in the race but he didn't care to show it here, coming home last, beaten a distance and some by 11/4 chance Rowan Tiger; the official going was described as soft, heavy in places.

And Lawney Hill may have told us Cap Elorn (14/1) jumps beautifully but he didn't at Uttoxeter, unseating pilot David Bass at the eighth...

Pass the Nurofen - I feel a headache coming on.