Many happy returns Ollie
With a view to the future
Molotov is clearly very interesting on chase debut today (2.30). After twice finishing behind Zarkandar as a 4YO he won 3 novice hurdles on the bounce last season (including a listed event and a Grade 2) before disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree. The early show of 8/11 hasn't got me reaching for the brown envelope though and it's a race to watch rather than get involved in.
In the opener at Taunton I find
Petara Bay a fascinating recruit to the NH sphere. Still rated 103 on the flat (although he had been as high as 109 after finishing 3rd in the Aston Park Stakes) he has been tried at the very highest level in that sphere (he ran in both the Racing Post Trophy and Derby won by Authorized, the Hardwicke Stakes won by Harbinger and the Prince Of Wales Stakes and King George won by Duke Of Marmalade). He's now 8 years old, which many would say is a bit long in the tooth to be starting a career in novice hurdling, but I would think they've schooled him over hurdles and been pleased by what he's shown them, so why not give it a go? He has some nice ground for his debut and the long home straight with just 2 hurdles will hopefully allow him to show his undoubted flat-race class. 8/1 early doors and a nice little e/w dabble.
It's not often you see Ruby Walsh riding for Warren Greatrex and his booking for
City Press in the 2.00 really catches the eye. Formerly with Nicky Henderson, he was a rather fortunate winner last time out was Scales fell at the 2nd last when travelling really well. However, the placed horses that day have done well since and the application of the tongue strap for the first time should bring about some improvement. He's raised 5lbs for his last victory which seems fair, whereas likely favourite Award Winner is up a whopping 20lbs from his saunter around Fontwell last week.
The bumper has lost some of its appeal with the Nicholls horse looking like a non-runner so I'm taking a chance that Anthony Honeyball will produce some improvement from
Vicator, who gets the tongue strap on today having disappointed on debut in May when with Lawney Hill.
Best of luck everyone
