Fontwell 2.10, Class 3, 3m2f Handicap Chase – Bramble Brook
Scoop the Pot will be fairy fancied to back up his latest and first win over timber, he had the first time cheek pieces on which looked to help and he goes up 2lb for a hard fought race, so whether the headgear will work as well as last time, remains to be seen, plus this will be a much different test on soft ground which at Fontwell can be treacherous. So, he’s to be taken on with course winner Bramble Brook, he’ll love the underfoot conditions and loves small fields with his record 3 from 3 in 4 or less fields. He recently looked well after a near 6-month break and will come on for the run.
Leicester 2.30, Class 3, 2m4f Handicap Hurdle – Card Game
This looks a nice competitive hurdle as it stands ATM and past mentioned Ruth Jefferson is one to follow usually in any sphere, but her hurdle strike rate stands at 24% this season with a +58.48 LSP, she has Card Game in this race who will run at Leicester for the first time but is pretty similar to Hexham where it undulates and being testing where she thrives at, apart from running the opposite way she still has good form around right handed courses. The mares last win was an emphatic 26 length romp 6 months ago and was raised 10lbs, for which she struggled in higher class races, the handicapper has quickly given her a chance dropping her 7lbs in 3 races and she’s back into much calmer 0-135 race and will have a big chance to return to form at expected big odds.
Warwick 1.25, Listed, 2m4f Novices Chase – Miss Tata
Miss Tata has been off the track for over 2 years, she was last seen winning a Listed Hurdles race and completing a run of 5 wins on the bounce, she suffered a suspensory injury early last year which shouldn’t have kept her off for as long as this, but clearly had more niggles etc. She returns as Novice Chaser which when last seen looks ideal and looks to have an exciting career in front of her and still just 6 years old, whether she’ll need the run is a big concern, but Gordon Elliott tends to have them ready and looks unlikely to cross the Irish sea just for a leg stretch.
Cheltenham 2.30, Grade 3, 3m2f Handicap Chase – Robinsfirth
A race that will need revisiting closer towards the time when we see final decs, ground etc, but at present, looks exciting. Colin Tizzard has won this race the last 2 years and has 2 saddled up for this race, which includes last years winner Robinsfirth. The gelding has not been seen since winning this by 2 lengths last year before suffering with injury, but the lightly raced gelding’s trainer Joe Tizzard has said “Robinsfirth had a little bit of heat in his leg last season but was back in full work at the start of the term and is in good form”. So, with the trainer optimistic on his form and will love any rain that comes this week, he looks set for a big run off just a 4lb higher mark.
