Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Cheltenham and Doncaster on Saturday. View selections below.
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CLAN DES OBEAUX (1.55) has been handed a tough task under top weight but could be up to the task in the feature Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Paul Nicholls has a tremendous record in this 2m 4f contest and is seeking his fifth victory in the past decade.
Clan Des Obeaux fairly sluiced through swamp-like conditions to thump Vintage Clouds by seven lengths at Haydock last month and a 7lb rise was pretty automatic.
Dual winner Poquelin landed this race under 11st 12lb for Nicholls in 2010 and Clan Des Obeaux looks a progressive five-year-old, having run Whisper to half a length in a thrilling match at Kempton in mid-November.
He will need to be on his A- game as the first five home in last month’s BetVictor Chase all renew rivalry under revised terms.
Splash Of Ginge emerged victorious from Starchitect, Le Prezien, Ballyalton and Romain De Senam, so it’s a case of take your pick!
BUN DORAN (1.20) can make a winning reappearance in the 2m handicap chase which sees Sire De Grugy attempting to get his career back on track.
The top weight has a bit to prove after finishing last of eight at Ascot last month and Bun Doran looks reasonably treated if able to reproduce his third to Double W’s and Theinval when sent off favourite for the Betway Red Rum Chase at Aintree in April.
Bun Doran ran well enough when finishing sixth to Tully East at the Cheltenham Festival and Tom George will have him tuned up for his return to action.
Kerry Lee saddles a potent threat in Gino Trail. Her gelding bossed his three opponents when making all to score emphatically at Wetherby in first-time cheek-pieces and a 5lb rise is very fair.
MELON (3.05) takes on The New One in the Unibet International Hurdle and youth gets the vote over experience.
Willie Mullins’ gelding chased home enigmatic Labaik in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and made a satisfactory return to action when landing the odds at Down Royal.
The New One is seeking a fantastic four-timer in this event and remains a class act. He beat My Tent Or Yours and Old Guard 12 months ago and is sure to make another bold bid.
MOMELLA (3.40) wins a narrow vote over Brillare Memento in the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.
Dan Skelton’s five-year-old found only On The Blind Side too strong up the Cheltenham hill last month and had earlier pulled readily clear of Brahms De Clermont at Fakenham. The runner-up defied 11st 10lb to score at Taunton on Thursday.
Brillare Memento was beaten by Momella at Newton Abbot back in May when sent off the 1-3 favourite but Martin Keighley’s mare is now 7lb better off for that two lengths beating.
Rons Dream ran second to Lily Waugh in this race two years ago and the handicapper is starting to relent.
At Doncaster, AMOUR DE NUIT (1.40) will appreciate the better ground he encounters in the Bet365 Handicap Hurdle.
The Nicholls-trained five-year-old looks something of a ‘bridle’ horse but possesses plenty of ability. He takes a drop in class after finding High Bridge and Charli Parcs too hot to handle at Newbury a fortnight ago but he was always travelling well when accounting for Listen To The Man at Kempton (good) in October.
Bryony Frost’s 5lb claim is clearly a bonus and Amour De Nuit receives plenty of weight from Flying Tiger, third to champion hurdler Buveur D’Air in the Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. That was a sound effort.
Mohaayed is another right at home on a sound surface and clearly hated the mud when tailed off behind Elgin at Cheltenham.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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