GREAT news that the brilliant Harry Angel stays in traning next season. It’s been a stellar year for sprinters with Battaash, Marsha, Lady Aurelia and Caravaggio having their moments in the sun but Harry Angel, to my eyes at least, looks the best of them all. He goes for the British Champions Sprint on Champions Day. Switching codes, Tom George has indicated that The Worlds End, a Grade One winner at Aintree in April, will stay over hurdles. He could reappear in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby on November 4.
Yesterday’s column spawned a good winner at Naas in Who’s Steph although she was well backed and went off at just 2/1. Today I’m most looking forward to watching the chasing debut of Sceau Royal (3.20, Warwick). He is not very big but he jumped hurdles beautifully and was not disgraced in the Champion Hurdle coming sixth. I expect him to emulate Top Notch (same owner, and similarly small) by making a name for himself over fences.
Up the Creek
Today’s punting focus is at Huntingdon where front runner and course winner Mille Nautique (2.00) could be a tough one to pass. He is up 5lb for winning at Market Rasen but if he is allowed to dominate and get into a jumping rhythm then trip and ground will suit.
Huntingdon has missed the heavy rain and the ground has been watered. The good ground will suit the slightly frustrating McCabe Creek (3.40). Well, very frustrating as he is one win from 25 and has had more headgear than that bloke from Jamiroquai. Today he is tried in cheekpieces. He had been clearly not getting home over 2m 4f but produced his best performance over fences thus far when dropped to two miles last time out. He is a strong traveller and has lots of ability but can sometimes pull too hard. If his 7lb claimer, who rode him well last time, can get him to settle then trip, track and ground look ideal and although he is the outsider of five it will be no surprise to this punter if he wins. At his best he is very well handicapped and is still available for 6/1.
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