We can now say it is officially less than a week until the tapes go up at Cheltenham – and with excitement growing, we swerve the opportunity to play it safe with the two all-weather cards on offer this afternoon.
Catterick’s card is interesting however preference is for the competitive card across the Irish Sea at Downpatrick. There are decent fields and classy animals on show – which combine to make an interesting conundrum for our placepot picks.
Leg One: Akorakor
It is impossible to ignore the claims of the favourite in the opener with Akorakor getting the vote in what looks a golden opportunity to get back to winning ways. After impressing during the early stages of his career when winning his only start in a bumper – the six-year-old has been mixing it in better company of late, failing to really show the same sparkle.
He has struggled to mount a strong challenge over obstacles but now he has been dropped back in trip, and has the assistance of Bryan Cooper in the plate – he is expected to go close. It looks an ideal chance to break his duck over hurdles and if he can replicate his early level of form he should have no problem making the places.
Leg Two: Dark Sunshine
After landing a point-to-point in fine style, Dark Sunshine was well-backed when a fair fourth on her debut under rules in December. She travelled well for a long way, before fading close home and she should be able to show her true ability now back over obstacles.
The lightly-raced five-year-old has plenty of scope for improvement and it would be no surprise to see her go extremely close with the assistance of David Casey in the saddle. With nine-runners at the time of writing, we can afford to finish in the first three, so hopefully she can muster the type of performance which is seemingly expected.
Leg Three: Indian Rupee
If we have made it through to leg three unscathed, we have a tricky race to get through with plenty of runners in with a real chance. We side with Indian Rupee however, as the improving gelding has shown arguably the strongest form, after returning from a blip at Thurles.
After a rather disappointing spell last year, he returned from a short-break to run close at Punchestown before delivering the goods when a well-backed favourite at Punchestown in December. He was well-supported again when disappointing on his penultimate start, before returning with a valiant effort in defeat at Naas last month. He is only a six-year-old and with improvement likely, he should be able to make the frame.
Leg Four: Sister Annie
This could well be the make-or-break race of the day, as a tricky field of fifteen go to post with plenty of rather uninspiring form on offer. Fortunately, we look to have a good chance if we follow the Cullen’s, as they join forces on Sister Annie.
The mare had shown bits-and-pieces of form without ever really going close, but her solid third last time out suggests she may be in the process of turning a corner. The application of blinkers seemed to do the trick and if she can replicate that piece of form, she is sure to take all the beating against some rather inconsistent rivals.
Leg Five: Ardmillan
After only just failing to land what would have been an impressive hat-trick last month, Ardmillan gets the vote to make amends and get back to winning ways this afternoon. He scored with two very impressive successes after being switched to handicap company and although his rider is now only a four-pound claimer, he still looks good value to help steer his mount into a strong challenge.
He is dropped back down to a more suitable trip which is sure to benefit the son of Golan and he can put his rivals to the sword with another great round of bold jumping.
Leg Six: Court Frontier
It looks set to be a straight battle between Court Frontier and James in the finale of the placepot, with preference for the former thanks to his taking performance when stepping back in under rules.
He was only just touched off when well-backed at Clonmel last month, and he looks set for a bold bid again back in the Hunters Chase sphere. There has been plenty of support for the seven-year-old this morning and the market confidence is sure to encourage anyone tempted to get involved in the penultimate race at the Irish venue.
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