Galapiat Du Mesnil looks good value
Paul Nicholls’ gelding revels in the unique challenge offered by the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase - his last three outings over course and distance resulting in him finding just one too good on each occasion.
He would not be the paciest of horses but is as brave as they come, stays all day, and jumps well - three essential qualities for a test of this nature. His last start was a below-par effort at Wetherby but he did make a fairly bad mistake on the second circuit which did not help his chance.
Prior to that he had shown himself to be in good nick when winning comfortably off a career-high mark at Chepstow under Tony McCoy, who takes the ride again today. Any further softening of the ground will not be an inconvenience and, granted a clear round and a bit of luck, he should go close again.
Martin Pipe’s Lady Cricket loves it around Prestbury Park and takes her chance in the Countryside Raceday Handicap Chase rather than give lumps of weight to stablemate Chicuelo in the Thomas Pink Gold Cup here tomorrow.
Her final effort of last season saw her go very close to justifying favouritism under a big weight in the Mildmay of Flete at the Festival. The race looked hers for the taking only for another Pipe inmate, Blowing Wind, to come storming up the famous hill and collar her close home.
That was arguably her best effort to date.
And she looks worthy of the nap vote today.
Nicholls’ Sud Bleu enjoyed a confidence-boosting success at Exeter last time and can make a successful step back up in class in the Gerrard Wealth Management Sharp Novices’ Hurdle.
He is a talented individual and ran some good races in defeat in last term, including finishing second in the Adonis Hurdle and eighth in the Triumph Hurdle.
This is tougher than Exeter but he can prove up to the task with his stable in top form.
And Pessimistic Dick can complete a five timer in the opening Thomas Pink Amateur Riders’ Chase (Showcase Handicap).
Super Nomad, trained by Mick Easterby, probably needed his first run of the season when fifth to Carrick Troop at Wetherby and looks capable at defying top weight in the Northern Racing Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
Sarraaf can send punters home happy by taking his division of the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap on Wolverhampton’s all-weather Flat programme.
Paul Johnson’s six-year-old led on the line to short head Welsh Emperor on the turf at Leicester last month.
