Big Buck’s all set to make if 14 in-a-row
He faces a dangerous opponent in David Pipe’s Dynaste and, travelling right-handed for the first time, it is going to prove mighty interesting.
If this was the Big Buck’s of two years ago then I would be worried, because he did have a tendency to both hang and jump to his left.
But now he is a far better balanced horse, much more straightforward and I’m not overly concerned. As well as that, if the Long Walk had been run at Ascot for the last two years - it was postponed and transferred to Newbury - he would have turned up at the track.
Dynaste is a worthy challenger. He was impressive when winning a Grade 3 handicap at Haydock and seemed to travel quicker and quicker as the contest progressed.
But it is a big step-up from a handicap to a Grade 1 and, at the weights, has 16lbs to find with my lad. Big Buck’s is the clear top dog among the stayers and it will be disappointing if he cannot confirm his rating.
My afternoon begins aboard Hold Fast in a handicap chase. Barry Geraghty rode him to finish fourth at Newbury, where he jumped fine, but not outstanding. I hope I’m wrong, but would say he is probably hard enough to fancy!
I’m more optimistic regarding Aerial in a graduation chase. He comes here on the back of a cracking effort when fourth to Great Endeavour in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.
He’s been afforded a decent break by Paul Nicholls, is an improving horse and, you’d imagine, has to go close.
I’m reasonably optimistic as well with The Minack in a handicap chase. This is competitive, admittedly, but doesn’t look a great race at the same time.
He went up 9lbs for winning narrowly at Wincanton. so you couldn’t be arguing is thrown in or anything like that.
But The Minack runs here in preference to the most stamina-sapping race in the calender, the Welsh National at Chepstow, and that’s definitely the right decision.
I end aboard Prospect Wells in the rather valuable Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle. He doesn’t lack racing experience, but does lack experience over jumps.
He jumped well when winning easily at Newbury and is the ideal horse for handicaps, on the basis of loving hustle and bustle and plenty of cover.
The plan will be to arrive late and, I’ll guarantee you, he will not be two lengths in front jumping the final flight.
At Navan tomorrow, I will be trying to lower Mount Benbulben’s colours, on Boston Bob, in a Grade 1 novice hurdle.
Mount Benbulben could not be faulted on his latest success, also at Navan. He beat me that day on Rebel Fitz and, I have to say, that rode a good race.
Boston Bob was equally impressive, ridden by Paul Towend, when taking his maiden on this track. I’m looking foward to taking on Mount Benbulben again and think we have every chance of beating him.
I believe I will win the first on the card, a Grade 2, on Zaidpour, who bolted in for me at Thurles on his reappearance.
He will relish the heavy surface, is working really nicely and seems to have come on for that Thurles outing.
I have two other rides, but couldn’t recommend either of them to readers. At best Karl Wyse’s Wise Oscar would have an each-way shout in a handicap hurdle.
Baily View made a race of it with Apt Approach, which I rode, at Thurles and seems to stay and jump. But the handicap chase he contests looks fairly open to my way of thinking.
At Fairyhouse today I expect Blazing Tempo, who has been in good order at home of late, to score over hurdles.
