Apologies for Thursday's selections; I managed to pick out some horrendous horses.
Sir Carnegie jumped the majority of the race like he was petrified and had never seen a fence before. He warmed to the task, but making novicey jumps knocks the gas tank, and he had little to give in the main part of the race.
Burdett Road also made some very novicey jumps, and I was disappointed with the performance. I was hoping that the jockey was going to try and make the running to ensure that stamina came into play. He had run plenty of times on the flat, and I thought that he had the fitness edge. He didn't, and never looked like he was going to get involved.
Sky Lord 11/2 (3pl) – Cheltenham 3.35
It would be impressive if Calico made it three wins in a row in this exact race, and I do think he is the one to beat, but at the age of 10 and running off a handicap mark of 148, I believe he could be slightly vulnerable to one at the bottom of the weights.
I'm not going to try and say it's a hugely competitive race, because I don't think it is. Sky Lord for Henry De Bromhead left the impression that he could be better this season as a chaser, and whenever Henry sends his runners over from Ireland to the likes of Cheltenham, they are always highly respected.
Henry was second in this race last year with a horse owned by the same connections as Sky Lord. My main worry is that Darragh O'Keeffe isn't in the saddle, and he is making the journey over to Cheltenham, but for Saturday only. Mike O'Connor has ridden Sky Lord on a couple of occasions, which is a bonus in the absence of the stable jockey.
Sky Lord has had a run this season, which saw him run a respectable race at Listowel, finishing third of five, and only two lengths behind the winner. That run will have accelerated his fitness on his return for the new jumps season, and running off 10st 2lbs in a race that the trainer has clearly targeted, he is a solid each-way option at 11/2. Usually, I wouldn't tip up ew at this price, but I will on this occasion.
Zoum Zoum 15/2 (3pl) – Doncaster 2.45
There's every chance that the favourite in this race could be a very smart horse, but you're taking on too many risks by backing him. The ground is going to be very heavy when racing kicks off at Doncaster, and with Palladas only having experience on the AW, you've got to be in the know or crazy to back him at 7/4.
There are horses in this race that go on heavy ground and have course form, both of which is Zoum Zoum. You are taking a leap of faith backing him, as he hasn't been in the best of form this year, but this is a return to handicap company, and I'm hoping that a combination of handicaps, ground and venue will light the spark.
Topwarrior 5/1 (4pl) – Doncaster 4.30
I backed Topwarrior last time out, and that was based on him being beaten at Hamilton by a tipped-up horse. I liked what I saw from him that day, and I believed that the return to six furlongs at Ayr was going to be a recipe for success. Unfortunately, the jockey contested the pace, and it was evidently too furious. He got picked off late, but kept fighting, and I rate that as a solid run.
Rossa Ryan takes over in the saddle, and I'm hoping that Rossa learns from Hector Crouch's mistake at Ayr. If they want to try and lead, but another horse is going for it too, settle just in behind and save as much energy as possible. Rossa isn't daft, and he'll know the score.
I'm convinced that Topwarrior is on a good handicap mark, especially at this time of the season when the ground is deteriorating the way it is. He isn't a price I'd deem as each-way worthy, but I can't see him outside the places, so I will be playing it safe.
Angel Gabriel 11/4 – Doncaster 5.05
It's very rare that I post this amount of runners, but I thought Angel Gabriel was worth a chance on the back of an unlucky run at Haydock last time out.
Testing ground is evidently his favourite type of ground, and I think he would have won at Haydock if he didn't get into a lot of trouble close to home. When he got in the clear, he did start to stay on again, and I think that's a sign of a horse who had plenty left to give. Also, that was in a Class 3 race, whereas this is a Class 4, so he should find it slightly easier.
GambleAware