It was a shame that Fever Dream didn't manage to get the win at Perth, as I was confident in him on the back of his impressive win at Warwick.
The concern was whether he'd be fine at the trip, and I got it wrong. He went through the race like a big player, but he didn't have the stamina to go with the winner, who scooted clear after the last.
Matterhorn 11/2 (1pt) – Sandown 2.20
In recent memory, Harry Cobden hasn't done me any favours with the rides he's had on my previous selections. I'm slowly starting to sway away from him, but I think you've got to focus on the horse, and I believe this is a winnable race for Matterhorn.
The ground is going to be very quick for a jumps meeting, and I think that favours Matterhorn more than most. He is a horse who likes to run from the front, but I don't think he'll be taking on Mahons Glory, who is a bit of a nutter.
He returned from a 100-day break at Plumpton last time out, and he ran very well. He finished second to Secret Des Dieux, who has been a progressive two-mile chaser this year. When you look back through Matterhorn's runs from an absence, he is usually rusty and needs the run. The only times he was okay after a break were at the start of his career, when he was superior to those he was against, so I don't think you can count them.
Because he ran such a good race last time out, there's every reason to believe he will be even better for this run. The only question mark is the step up in trip, but he did win over 2m 4f at Uttoxeter last year, and did it easily. This stiffer track over a couple of extra furlongs is a slight concern, but if he settles, I think he'll see it out.
Rock My Way 14/1 (0.5pt EW, 4pl) – Sandown 3.30
I think there could be a few unexposed horses who could be better handicapped than Rock My Way, but I think my selection is solid and offers good each-way value.
We know Rock My Way stays the trip, and we know he jumps well and handles the ground. I think he'll race prominently, and by doing so, he'll avoid any potential trouble. He put in a great performance at Ascot earlier in the season and has run well since, but not on his ideal ground.
Today's ground is going to be the quickest he has encountered, but his best form has come on good ground. Last time out, he finished second in the Midlands National when carrying 12st on soft ground. It looked like he was going to go very close, but he didn't manage to see the trip out, and was outlasted by a stronger stayer on the day.
I think the handicapper could have easily put him up a few pounds for his runner-up effort, and because he's remained untouched, I think it gives him a squeak in this.
Dancingwithmyself 2/1 (1pt) – Ripon 3.35
With a lot of flat racing on Saturday, I've decided to give Dancingwithmyself a chance. I've tried to stay clear of the flat racing on the main thread, as it's still a dodgy period of not knowing when horses are fit or not. I've given this one the green light, as I thought his run at the start of April was a solid effort, and that should make him a big player.
It seems that the winter break has done Dancingwithmyself the world of good, as he returned at Musselburgh with a career-best performance. He probably should have won last time out, but Oisin ran into trouble and was then hampered. The horse was only beaten by 1.75L, so with a clear passage, he will have been tough to hold back.
The drop in trip poses a question, as does the faster ground, but I don't think he will be hindered by them. The course has been a happy hunting ground for him, with form figures of 112 from his three visits to the Yorkshire track.
GambleAware