Colin Tizzard’s White Moon was the big mover on Thursday morning for the Badger Beers Silver Trophy Chase at Wincanton on Saturday. The grey fell at the last at the track last month with the race, seemingly, at his mercy although he is 5lbs higher tomorrow. He was 7/1 at BetVictor earlier in the week but he is now 9/2 after sustained support.
There is a good card at Warwick this afternoon and Thomas Darby is due to make his chase debut for Olly Murphy on ground described as good to soft on Thursday morning. Richard Johnson takes the mount on the 6-y-old who finished runner up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham back in March and is held in the highest regard.
Warwick is a good jumping test, however, and few novices have impressed me with their fencing this term as Maire Banrigh (1.50) who turned a modest Stratford handicap into a procession on her chase debut. The selection was a winning pointer in her native Ireland and wouldn’t be in the same class as the likely short-priced favourite over hurdles – but this is a different test.
Lightly Squeeze (2.25) was a winner on the level on soft ground back in September for Harry Fry and he reverts to timber off what looks an attractive mark. The each way selection’s hurdling is not yet as fluent as it could be, but the hope is that he has been back to school of late and Sean Bowen takes over in the saddle. Note BetVictor are offering 4 places on this 15-runner handicap.
La Cavsa Nostra (2.55) did us a huge favour and landed a mini-gamble – 28s into 16s – at Chepstow last week and will be hard to beat if in the same mood despite carrying a 7lbs penalty. The owner’s son – Sam Waley-Cohen – takes over in the saddle and takes off a valuable 3lbs and let’s hope the selection jumps as well for today’s dentist cum jockey as he did for Robbie Dunne last week.
Ben Case had a winner earlier in the week and there might be more to come from Hugo’s’ Reflection (3.30) over fences this term and he can make a winning reappearance under the aforementioned Dunne. Do note a market move for the gelding Carole’s Vigilante who is back with Neil Mulholland having had two moderate runs for Harry Whittington last season.
At Hexham Ribble Valley (1.00) makes his hurdles debut having won two of his three Bumpers for Nicky Richards last season. He is held in some regard at home and the stable have made a promising start to the season.
Donald McCain wastes no time in sending First Account (2.10) over fences and this winning pointer who finished just 5L behind Al Dancer and Windsor Avenue at Carlisle on his first start over timber looks well treated for his handicap debut.
At Chelmsford this evening I think Royal Dancer (7.25) can reward each way support in the 1m 5f Handicap. The selection finished runner up over C&D from a 3lbs lower mark back in September and has since won at Brighton. Sylvester Kirk’s gelding is well drawn in stall two and Jason Watson is a good booking.
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