After a terrible month, it was nice to finally get a couple of winners on the same day.
You won't see me gloating about it. The last three weeks have been atrocious and not good enough.
Tormund Giantsbane was impressive in his win and managed to beat the Henderson favourite with plenty in hand. His jumping was low and slick, but he did make a bad error two from home, but that didn't stop him from winning.
Daytime Dreaming must've traded a fair bit higher than his starting odds of 10/11. He jumped well, but found himself struggling against a resurgent Kotmask. He managed to stay on strongly and won with a little bit in hand.
Good To Be Alive 3/1 (1pt) – Kelso 3.30
I think in a race like this, sticking to a horse who is in good form is the way forward. At the forecast prices, I was tempted by Skyjack Hijack on his return to racing, but he might need his first run back, and he's got questions to answer in handicaps off his current rating.
I tipped up Good To Be Alive last time out at Plumpton, and even though it was a tough race and harder than expected, I think he will prefer a stiffer track. Plumpton is a track for horses who appreciate speed, and I think this lad is more of a grinder.
He didn't look like winning until jumping the last and powering home, which makes me think that the stronger test of stamina will be what he wants. The handicapper didn't go to town on him, with just a 4lb increase in the weights, which is why I think he can win again.
Al Kalila 9/4 (1pt) – Kelso 5.10
Luckily, when I wanted to previously tip up Al Kalila, he didn't win. The reason why I didn't tip him up in December at this track was due to his odds being too low. From a brief look at the odds, they are better, and I think he is worth a shot.
He simply does not stay three miles. He has looked like a big player on all three of his starts this season, but hasn't seen the trip out. The drop to the extended 2m 5f has to be in his favour, and this should be his ideal trip.
He has the form in the book to win this against some solid horses. The third behind King Of Answers (tipped up for the Ultima Antepost) has been franked since. The winner won at this track again, and his odds shortened for the handicap at Cheltenham in March.
Sean Bowen takes the ride, which is always a fantastic jockey booking.
Koukeo 10/1 (1pt) – Newbury 3.45
When horses get stepped up in grade, it's always a risk. It's not enough to put me off from backing Koukeo.
I tipped up Koukeo in a Lucky 15 in January when he won at Haydock, beating Escapeandevade. He made hard work of it that day, but got it done in the end, and was pulling away at the finish. That is decent form, and I think he ran well in defeat up at Musselburgh last time out.
There is a strong possibility that he was behind two decent handicappers last time out in Scotland, so he lost nothing in defeat in my eyes.
I think the step up to 2m 4f, combined with him running off 10st 3lbs make him a live player for this race. He stayed on strongly at Haydock, as I've already mentioned, and he was a winner over further when running over hurdles.
Kevin Brogan takes over from Jonjo Jr, who can't make the weight, and it's not particularly a bad thing. I'm not a huge fan of Jr, and Brogan gets a chance to get a big Saturday winner.
GambleAware