It’s now only a week until the Cheltenham Festival gets underway – and we’re treated to a pair of intriguing National Hunt cards to whet the appetite, along with a decent fixture from Southwell’s all-weather track.
Newcastle plays host to a competitive fixture and that is where we head for today’s placepot picks, with a decent dividend expected.
Leg One: Farragon
The opener is down to nine at the time of writing, with the well-fancied Oscar O’scar being declared a non-runner. This makes the task of finding a horse to hit the placing’s a little tougher, but Farragon gets the nod after an eye-catching performance at Ayr last time out.
Lucinda Russell’s charge travelled well behind the leaders and looked to have every chance three from home, before fading slightly on the run-in. He only finished two lengths behind the winner, and he will have learned a lot from the battle he faced after the last. In what looks a rather open race, he warrants the utmost respect and he is set to mount a big challenge now fitted with a first-time visor.
Leg Two: Willie Hall
If we have made it through the tricky opener unscathed, we are faced with a testing eight-runner card, with some fair pieces of form on show. If Farragon makes a bold show in the opener, he will give the form of Willie Hall and Northern Acres’ battle at Ayr that extra boost (Farragon a length behind the pair in fifth) so preference is for one of the duo.
Willie Hall shades the verdict, after a staying-on effort, suggesting if he can be made more use of – he is sure to go extremely close. He finished half-a-length ahead of Northern Acres and he doesn’t reflect too badly on the adjusted weights, which is why Lisa Harrison’s eleven-year-old is backed to uphold the form and guide us through to leg three.
Leg Three: Bobs Lord Tara
Court Dismissed is sure to have his share of supporters after a string of consistent efforts, but it may pay to side with the lightly-raced Bobs Lord Tara. The son of Kayf Tara has ran well behind some decent types during his bumper career – and he looked set to go extremely close on his hurdling bow over course-and-distance but his lengthy absence went against him.
He made eye-catching headway behind eventual winner Doctor Phoenix, before weakening approaching two out. He should strip fitter for that effort and with the benefit of race-fitness, he looks set to mount a bold bid under Paul Maloney.
Leg Four: Settledoutofcourt
We opt for another Lucinda Russell runner in the shape of Settledoutofcourt, who returns to his optimum trip of three miles. The nine-year-old has two wins from three runs over the distance, including an extremely impressive success at today’s track.
He has made the places in four of his last six starts, and after a solid sixth in the North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick on his last start, he should be spot on for a crack at today’s feature.
Leg Five: Ginger Jack
It is hard to look past the outstanding claims of Ginger Jack in the penultimate leg, with the classy gelding expected to go close if carrying on his improvement over hurdles. He had a decent career on the level, finishing half-a-length behind subsequent St Leger winner – Encke – as-well as being rated as high as 92 as a three-year-old.
He finished a fair fourth on debut over hurdles, before improving to take third behind Three Faces West and Quiet Candid on his penultimate start. He was well-backed last time out, but he couldn’t justify favouritism, when a staying-on second at Musselburgh. He looks on an upward curve and in a rather open looking field – he looks set to mount a serious challenge.
Leg Six: Categorical
It is always wise to pay attention to the Reveley’s, when they pair-up at Newcastle – and all eyes will be on their charge, Categorical, should be make it through to the final leg. The twelve-year-old may be entering the twilight of his racing career but the Newcastle stalwart seems to be entering a new lease of life.
He has had seventeen runs at Newcastle, including nine runs over course and distance – which has seen him get his head in front four times. He won this race last year and the consistent son of Diktat can put in a performance that will hopefully round off a successful day.