Unfortunately, we were down to one runner on Thursday. The only runner of the day was extremely poor, which makes it even worse.
Malfoy Manor went from the front over a longer trip last time out, jumped great and enjoyed racing prominently. I don't understand why Harry Skelton changed the tactics over a shorter trip, as surely racing from the front would've been advantageous.
I don't think the ride made much of a difference, as the horse was comfortably beaten, but we'll never know.
Rosscahill 13/2 (1pt) – Bangor-on-Dee 1.55
After watching Rosscahill's races, he has a very strange running action in terms of his back legs looking out of place. If that has been a thing since birth, then there's nothing to worry about, as he won his PTP in Ireland very easily.
His two wins over hurdles weren't easy, and he looks like a grinder, which makes me think the ground and trip will be right up his street.
The form of both of his hurdle succeses look solid. There have been winners over hurdles and fences since, so despite him not doing it pretty, he beat some useful horses.
His chase debut wasn't fantastic. He looked novicey over the first few, then started to get comfortable, but then made a shuddering mistake. After that, he jumped okay, but it evidently knocked the stuffing out of him.
He went off as 4/11F on hurdling debut, followed by starting odds of 11/10, 5/4 and 5/4, so he must be showing a lot at home. They have not wasted time getting him over fences, so I'm willing to forgive him for his run last time out.
Gower Spirit 15/8 (2pt) – Bangor-on-Dee 3.30
Matt Shephard's mare caused a big surprise when she landed a Uttoxeter maiden at odds of 28/1 back in November. Since then, she hasn't managed to win again, but her last two runs have shown she is capable of popping up in a handicap.
I think 2m 4f and heavy ground is what she needs at this moment in her career. Those were the conditions she won on at Uttoxeter, and the return to 2m 4f on soft ground the last two times has seen her return to form, finishing as runner-up on both occasions.
She was slammed last time out at Hereford, but the winner was well ahead of the handicapper, so it's nothing be ashamed of.
This race doesn't look spectacular, and knowing that she'll relish the conditions, there's not much to be against her. I'd be most worried about the Venetia Williams horse running off a mark of 78. Even though Venetia is really out of form, a horse that is unexposed and running off a basement handicap mark is concerning.
GambleAware