Nube Negra Trained by Dan Skelton Unusually this 4 year old is bred in Spain ,but I thought he ran well last season at the two Festivals Is scheduled to run in the big handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday, and have had a small investment at 10-1 [Ladbrokes]
Interesting that the horse has had a wind operation. Surely they feel he has more to give? This is a very competitive race with several contenders. I thought Verdana Blue was impressive last time, travelling well and then asserting fairily cosily. This is a quick return to the track for her but there seemed a touch of class that last day. In the end I stuck with Verdana Blue at 9/2 and a saver on Nube Negra, at 8/1, who could be on a nice mark. Good luck.
Only 8th but unusually for this stable looked like the run was needed, also the home straight hurdles being omitted would not have helped the horse
As he is a fast fluent jumper who tends to make up ground over his hurdles, though obviously others in the field yesterday would have had a similar disadvantage
Timeform reckoned that Nube Negra had not been suited by being held up in a race where there was no real pace. They gave him 131p as a rating, stating that he didn't show the promise of his Fred Winter run, where, again, they had reckoned he might have won the race with a bit more positive ride. The Timeform reviewer felt that he was given too much to do in the Greatwood, starting his run when nobody had really put any pace to the race and they were all quickening in reality, only some from a better position to strike than others. I reckon Verdana Blue was one to take from the race. She was way back considering the omitted flights and I felt the jockey gave her a naive ride from where she came. She met with interference twice when trying to close and it was late in the day that she passed numerous horses to fill what had looked an unlikely fourth position. When you consider she was carrying 11st 11lb and the winner Nietzsche carried 9st 7lb, I thought she put up a good effort from a fairly poorly thought out ride from her jockey.
See Nube Negra has not run since so has either had a problem or is being targeted for a big handicap, but has been entered for the Betfair Hurdle on February 9th. If the rains stay away then the current 33-1 with Paddy Power is of interest
Pricewise has today put up 2 horses for the ‘Betfair Hurdle’. Al Dancer and Nube Negra (1 pt each-way at 33/1). The latter now very ‘blue’ on Oddschecker and 33’s currently now only available in one place.
Betfair Hurdle at Newbury was abandoned, but even though Nube Negra was not declared had my stake returned! Horse runs tomorrow at Taunton [4.15] Small win bet at 13-2..best odds guaranteed
indeed , but he was a bit off the front pair as the speed racked up , not sure he would have got to capitaine .....
We will never know, hopefully his confidence will be OK on next run which will probably be the Festival
