While the Championship trophy is sitting nicely up on my cabinet, I’m back at it and have thankfully ridden a few winners already. Winners at this point of the season are just as important as they are in March or April, so you can’t take your foot off the gas. I had a nice few days break after Sandown to recharge the batteries and now it’s back to the day job.
Joke Dancer won well at Kelso and he should be one to keep an eye on for the rest of the summer as he seems to enjoy the better ground.
Grey Market my best chance at Hexham on Saturday
Over at Hexham on Saturday I’ve got Sheriff Garrett in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (3:05pm). He usually runs well around there and would have a solid each-way chance.
Grey Market in the maiden hurdle (4:15pm) looks like my best chance of the day. He was second in a point-to-point and then second on his debut the last day – a repeat of that performance would see him go close I’d imagine.
I’ve got Scottish Accent in the 3m handicap chase (4:50pm) and Nayef’s Girl in the bumper (5:20pm) too, but I’d say the other two look to have stronger claims.
No Gold Cup for Allaho
Why would connections want to aim Allaho at the Gold Cup when he’s not guaranteed to stay?
He was very impressive at Punchestown, possibly the performance of the week, but I don’t think he’ll have the stamina for a Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
I think he’ll be laid out for the Ryanair. He’s near on a good thing for that race and I don’t think connections will be tempted to take the risk on him in the Gold Cup.
How can anybody knock Honeysuckle?
As for anyone crabbing Honeysuckle’s win, I don’t understand it really. She’s getting older and is probably now just wise enough to do what she has to do.
It’s all very well and good for people to say she wasn’t great, but the fact is she’s unbeaten in 16 starts and nothing can beat her.
I’d absolutely love to ride something as good as that.
