Wednesday's Meetings Fairyhouse N/H 7 Races 1:30-4:30p.m. Sedgefield N/H 7 Races 1:40-4:40p.m. Ludlow N/H 7 Races 1:50-4:50p.m Kempton(E) A/W 7 Races 5:30-8:30p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Kempton 18.00 Interesting 3yo Novice over 7f The 2 favs Lessay and Newsreader have both run twice, beating each other. First time Newsreader was 8¼l behind Lessay when the latter won here (C&D) at level weights in Dec. They met again a month ago with Newsreader coming off best by ½l in receipt of 7lb. Tomorrow Lessay is 5lb better off. On the face of it Lessay should just about make it 2-1 However, Newsreader seems to have progressed more and for that reason I think Newsreader will come off the better of the 2. Whether either will win is questionable. Firstly we have a €165,000 2-y-o (by Nay Nay Never out of a Galileo mare) pitched in by Roger Varian. This is a well bred colt, (Dam, 1½m winner, sister to high-class winner up to 1½m (including British/Irish Champion Stakes) Magical and Fillies' Mile/Lockinge Stakes winner Rhododendron) But these could all be beaten by the Night Of Thunder gelding Not Afraid. Well beaten by Mukaafah over 6f here in Nov but was slowly into stride, in rear and ran green, still plenty to do 2f out, headway from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong. It was a decent time, sure to have come on after 3 months and the extra furlong will probably suit. At 5/1, I quite fancy him as an ew dabble
The Mahler gelding, Ballybeg, certainly has a strong favourities chance in the (14:50) at Ludlow. 11/8 (Wm.Hill/Unibet) best price at time of writing on the ATR site.
I'm taking away not literally 'Demnat' from my Ludlow trip. Venetia Williams has picked up a lovely French recruit there. Full brother to Sceau Royal. Officially rated 122 today - plenty wriggle room there.
I thought the second horse would have been really interesting had his jumping not gone to pot in the final 4 fences. Would have struggled with the winner but he travelled nicely and Sam looked after him. Wonder if we will see him at Warwick next.
Also I really enjoyed the Hunter, seeing a horse jump so well at Ludlow is great, and that did for the short price favourite. Great seeing the amateurs riding decent horses.
