Palua to pounce on chasing debut
Only four go to post for the Sponsorship Raceday Event Novices’ Chase at Huntingdon, but it is a trappy little affair nonetheless.
Preference is for Palua, a horse with plenty of ability who has nowhere near the amount of wins to his name that he should have.
Amazingly, he won only once on the Flat when in the care of Ian Balding, although he did run a blinder to finish second to stablemate Distant Prospect in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket two years ago.
He embarked on a hurdling career with Emma Lavelle last season and seemed to thrive in his new surroundings. He made a satisfactory debut over timber before being kidded home by Barry Fenton at Folkestone on heavy ground, and then ran a cracking race to chase home Deano’s Beeno in Grade Two company at Ascot.
Fenton was unable to really get after his mount until the winner had flown because he just does not find that much off the bridle.
Connections then opted for a crack at the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next time, although that proved a bridge too far.
He adapted to hurdles with some aplomb and there is nothing to suggest he will not be just as effective over the larger obstacles, although his rider will no doubt have to sit and suffer until the last possible minute.
Top Buck is another who does not find that much in front but he has a leading chance in the TC Harrison Macer Gifford Memorial Handicap Chase.
Kim Bailey’s nine-year-old was last seen at Fontwell in February when scraping home from Bicycle Thief. But he had been in front plenty soon enough that day and hopefully can come on the scene a bit later today.
Gabor has been campaigned on the Flat for most of this year and was a winner at Brighton in August, but he has shown a fair degree of talent over hurdles, winning well at Plumpton last campaign. He was not beaten far from just out of the handicap when fourth in the Free Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow last month and is well up to winning the Spend Boxing Day at Huntingdon Handicap Hurdle.
Jumps racing returns to Lingfield after an absence of more than two years and Toi Express can make up for an unfortunate spill on his last start to take the Faucets For Grohe Overnight Delivery Handicap Chase.
The Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old was clear when falling at the last at Chepstow on Saturday. Compensation awaits.
