Upazo facing acid test in Tolworth
I’m on duty for him at Kempton, David Casey heads to Warwick, while Patrick Mullins and Paul Townend look after things at home at Punchestown.
Let’s start with my two rides at Kempton, Upazo and Twinlight. A week ago, I was all set to go to Sandown to partner Upazo in the Tolworth Hurdle, but the meeting was lost and the race rescheduled for Kempton.
Upazo, of course, disappointed us last season, but has looked a different proposition this campaign, winning in fine style on two occasions at Fairyhouse.
There is no doubt, however, that stepping into Grade 1 company now represents a major step up in class and this will tell us what he’s made of. He went to Sandown, of course, and then spent a bit of time touring England, before returning home.
But he does seem in good order and worked quite nicely on Tuesday, although not asked to do anything overly strenuous.
I read during the week that the Pipe stable think The Liquidator won’t be as well suited to Kempton as Sandown.
But he looked a good horse when winning at the Punchestown festival, has done nothing wrong subsequently, and if we can beat him then I’d imagine Upazo will win.
Twinlight, my second ride, heads into the unknown in the two miles, four and a half furlongs Listed chase.
All the evidence is that he is best at two miles, so whether will get this trip we simply don’t know.
What we can say is that the opposition are exposed, whereas he is young and improving.
Twinlight, as well, is definitely best travelling right-handed and if he is ever going to get two and half or so then it will be around here.
David Casey has three good rides at Warwick: Glens Melody, Rathvinden and Vesper Bell.
Glens Melody kicks him off in a Listed hurdle for fillies and mares.
I rode her last time at Cheltenham, when she performed way below what we expected to finish a remote third.
But the ground was just too quick and she wouldn’t let herself down on it. This surface will be far more to her liking and she has to go close.
Rathvinden moves from winning an ordinary maiden hurdle, admittedly in a canter, at Cork to a Grade 2 over two miles and five.
At the moment it is hard to get a handle on him and this will tell us a lot more than we know now. I won’t be surprised if the trip plays to his strengths.
Vesper Bell has his share of weight, 11-4, in a handicap chase. I’ve landed this particular race twice in the past and it is a contest you can carry a decent burden and win.
You have to jump and stay and Vesper Bell does both, even if he did fall at the first at Aintree on his latest appearance.
Willie has plenty of runners at Punchestown and we’ll have a look at some of them, headed by Vautour in the Grade 2 novice hurdle.
I rode the ex-French horse to win on his debut in this country at Navan and was most impressed. I like him a lot and think he will take this rise in class in his stride.
The Bosses Cousin does duty for Willie in the first, a beginners chase.
He hasn’t run for 317 days, not since falling two out, when holding every chance, at Thurles last February.
Despite that tumble, he is actually a great jumper and has been in training a long time.
The other of Willie’s I want to mention is Pink Hat in the maiden hurdle for mares. She was beaten by Theatre Bird at Clonmel, but that horse went on to boost the form when winning again at Leopardstown.
I thought Pink Hat jumped well enough at Clonmel, but the way she schooled during the week I’d say will be even better now.
I have four rides at Navan tomorrow and there’s no doubt Un De Sceaux looks the best of them in a four-runner hurdle.
His record is five from five, two of them bumpers in France, and won 29 lengths on his seasonal debut at Thurles.
Un De Sceaux shapes as if he has improved from Thurles and we all know what he does and it will be out and away.
There’s no messing with him, he will be able to maintain a relentless gallop and if something comes sailing by then good luck to them.
Willie takes the wraps of Aklan, who won twice on the flat for John Oxx, in the 24-runner maiden hurdle.
He’s been off for 505 days, but has been in since August, so I don’t see fitness as an issue.
Aklan is a fine big horse, who has schooled well, and my gut instinct is that it will take a fair sort to beat him.
I partner Gallant Oscar for Tony Martin in a handicap hurdle and he has a chance, in a moderate race, if improving by, say, five or six pounds.
I end aboard Popcorn for Willie in a handicap chase. He has been absent for a very long time - 764 days, to be precise. Don’t be shocked if he runs a cracker. Popcorn was ready to rock in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown, but was taken out to leave eventual winner, Rockyaboya, into the race.
