Plenty of positives for Shakervilz in National
This is a somewhat belated seasonal debut for the eight-year-old, who, by Monday, won’t have run for 367 days. I know this is a big ask, but if anyone call pull off such a feat then it is Willie Mullins.
Remember, he produced The Midnight Club first time out this season in the Thyestes at Gowran and he would surely have won, but for blundering six from home.
Shakervilz has been in a long time and working really well right now. He always goes well fresh and is very fit. He was a Graded winner over hurdles and a more than useful novice chaser.
I could have ridden Some Target or Quiscover Fontaine, but just like the way Sharkervilz is doing things at home, although well aware this is a shot in the dark.
Today, I head to Sandown for four rides, starting with Sanctuaire, who did us proud when taking the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr a week ago, in the first.
In theory this should prove an easier assignment, but as I told you here last week you simply have to get Sanctuaire to switch off, otherwise there will be nothing left when you need it.
There are only four runners, but it would suit me better if it was 14! From where is the speed in the race going to come?
Clerk’s Choice, the main danger, was sixth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and is a pure hold-up horse. I must admit to being a little apprehensive.
Perhaps, the right thing to do is to allow Sanctuaire to bowl along from the start. I’ll have to talk to Paul Nicholls to see if he thinks that might be a good idea.
King Of The Night has a squeak in the following handicap hurdle, although arriving here on the back of a crunching fall in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.
His jumping wasn’t exactly great prior to the fall either, although that doesn’t worry me unduly.
He has plenty of pace and will love the fast ground, but my main worry is his ability to stay the almost two and a half miles.
Tataniano has a great chance in the Grade 2 chase, even if he hasn’t been seen since finishing third behind Gauvain at Cheltenham back in November.
He has had his problems and been sick, but came right about seven or eight weeks ago. Tataniano wasn’t ready for Cheltenham or Aintree, but Paul is more than happy with him now.
He will swing along near the front and is capable of going a cracking gallop for the two miles. If things work out as we hope then Punchestown could well be on the agenda.
The Bet 365 Gold Cup is seriously competitive and I’m no more than hopeful regarding the prospects of Meanus Dandy.
He’s a fine big horse and will like the ground, but I couldn’t go recommending him as a possible winner at the same time.
The frustrating Sicilian Secret starts my day in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse tomorrow.
I rode him work twice this week and it is a mystery to me how he remains without a single success over flights to his name.
I remarked to David Casey afterwards that he went particularly well to which David’s response was: “does he ever work badly?’’
And that’s the problem with this horse, he doesn’t produce on the racecourse what he does at home. We’re hoping the good ground will prove the key to him and, bottom line, I think he’ll win.
Otterstown Lady, returning from a long break, is up against it in the Grade 2 novice hurdle for mares. She is trained by Cathy O’Leary, who is a sister of Tony Martin’s.
I rode her at Tony’s during the week and she went nicely. Cathy believes two and a half miles will really suit, so let’s see how it goes.
I’d imagine both Royal Reveille and Sir Vincent face stiff tasks in handicaps and then it’s Mikael D’Haguenet in the Powers’ Gold Cup.
Things have not worked out for him this season, he’s been beaten twice and on the floor twice. Mind you, he was travelling well in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham when falling at the 14th.
He retains a lot of ability and I’d love to see him win, but just don’t know about Mikael any more. My plan is to get him to jump a clear round, as a first priority, and then hope for the best after that.
Oiseau De Nuit - 2.35 Sandown, Today
Colin Tizzard’s gelding caused something of a shock when obliging at odds of 40-1 in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but he showed that form to be no fluke when a very unlucky loser at Aintree last time out.
He’s in top form at the moment and, as many of his opponents have something to prove, he is worth backing at what could prove very reasonable odds.
Viscount Nelson - 4:20 Sandown, Today
Aidan O’Brien’s colt looks plenty short enough in the market for this afternoon’s Celebration Mile at Sandown.
Although a very useful juvenile who won twice and finished second in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, he failed to win a race during his three-year-old season.
His best runs have come when he’s been wearing blinkers or a visor and given that he’ll be without the aid of any headgear this afternoon he’s very easy to oppose.
Prince Erik - Irish Grand National, Monday
Over the last few days we’ve seen lumps of money for Dermot Weld’s Prince Erik for Monday’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
A 14-1 chance earlier in the week, punters are undeterred by the fact that his trainer is yet to win the race and he’s now as low as 7-1 second favourite. If the current trend continues, he’s very likely to be sent off favourite.
Major Malarkey - 3.10 Sandown, Today
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ horse boasted some very useful form in staying chases in the early part of the season but he was one of may fancied runners who failed to cope with the testing conditions in Haydock’s Grand National Trial.
He unseated his rider very early on at Cheltenham but that should be forgotten. He looks well in at the weights here and in such a competitive race in which many of the fancied runners have question marks about them it’s important to find the value.
At odds of 33-1 he makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Nap: Tataniano - 2.35 Sandown
Each-Way Double: Sicilian Secret 1.50 Fairyhouse (Sunday) and Shakervilz4.55 Fairyhouse (Monday)
All the debate in England this week, regarding the whip, has sickened me a bit. I make no secret of the fact that I’m pro the whip, properly used. It is well policed, with the expectation of the marking of horses. Do away with the aid and you will change the results of races and anyone who thinks otherwise is talking rubbish. If there was no whip then Harchibald (left) would have won a Champion Hurdle, instead of Hardy Eustace. And that’s taking into consideration that Hardy Eustace’s jockey, Conor O’Dwyer, rarely resorted to using his whip to any great extent. Those who are shouting the loudest never go racing and it’s time racing stood up for itself.
