Hello. Hope everyone well.
The one that I spoke about earlier in the week (‘county set’ plot and all that) goes tomorrow at Worcester. It is:
WELD ARAB (3.50) – Firstly may I say how well connections have done to get this horse perched on 97 for his handicap bow over hurdles (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more…). Initially trained by Dermot Weld this one first ran for his current connections 18 months ago and has done well, on the level, winning on 3 occasions during the time he has been a resident of Wiltshire. Since turning his attentions to hurdles Weld Arab has been less impressive with form figures of –P584. However, those runs were how shall we say…ummmm…merely educational and to get him used to the jumping game. He has been competing over hurdles as high as class 2 level but this is much more appropriate being lowered to class 5 and being allowed to run in his first handicap off, as I say, 97. Meanwhile, on breeding Weld Arab should be some way above this level as the dam is not only a half-sister to a 1,000 Guineas winner but also to one placed in the Oaks! Old boy Mr Martin McIntyre (7) rides but I really wouldn’t let that put you off, people, as he takes off a very handy 7 lbs and is also no hack amateur having already ridden 3 winners this term (from just 16 rides). Housed in a barn who knows the time of day I would expect to see by far, and I do mean by far, the best run over hurdles of Weld Arab’s career, to date, in this event. No prices quoted on Oddschecker yet but I note that Sporting Life, at the time of writing, are forecasting 20/1.
Good luck all.