HORSE RACING: Alan Thomson, former racing editor of the Daily Record, pulls out four more potential bookie bashing tips for the jumps on Saturday at Newbury and Doncaster
&asset
TRABOLGAN (2.35), the 2005 Royal and SunAlliance Chase hero, can roll back the years at Newbury on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson has found his old boy the perfect opening in the Bluesquare-sponsored veterans’ chase and what an emotional reception Trabolgan will receive if making a triumpant return to the winner’s enclosure.
He proved he was no back number when travelling like the winner for much of the way at Doncaster last month, only to sprawl on landing at the fourth-last obstacle and depositing Barry Geraghty on the Town Moor turf. Newbury suits the 12-year-old down to the ground and he comes here defending a 100 per cent winning record from two previous visits.
Eric’s Charm was highly impressive at Sandown but has a preference for right-handed tracks. I expect a bolder show from Briery Fox, runner-up to Hennessy in last year’s Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. He usually comes to hand at this time of the season and his fourth place at Doncaster last time augurs well. Trainer Henry Daly posted winners on successive days at Bangor and Ludlow in midweek.
The big battalions are out in force and the Nicholls/Walsh axis have a likely winner in MARC AURELE (3.45). The five-year-old was a disappointment last season but the French-bred may have needed time to acclimitise. He goes handicapping for the first time and this opposition is pretty moderate.
The in-form Daly yard could be on the mark at Doncaster with PEARLYSTEPS (2.55), a brave winner at Towcester early last month. Stablemate POSSOL (3.25), a course winner, is on a four-timer and has very obvious prospects in the feature Sportingbet.com Grimthorpe Chase.
Tally Ho
Alan
To compare the odds on all today’s horse racing, click here
