"Something for the Weekend, Sir?" 30th/31st Jan 2021

This weekend is dominated by trials day at Cheltenham and ITV's main channel is showing 4 races from Prestbury Park plus 3 races from Doncaster.

Cheltenham's 7 race card opens with the Grade 2 Finesse Juvenile Hurdle which has thrown up 2 of the last 6 Triumph winners in Peace And Co and Defi Du Seuil. It looks a good renewal this time around with the first two from the rearranged Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow, Nassalam and Adagio, both entered. Adagio has to give 5lbs to Gary Moore's charge and Nassalam is slight favourite at the time of writing ahead of Sage Advice (Dr Newland) and Heross Du Seuil (Mr Henderson) who represent two of the forum's favourite trainers. Another of interest is Honneur D'Ajonc who had Heross Du Seuil held at Kempton when tipping up at the last but it seems to revolve around the front two and I think Adagio can cement his Triumph claims here.

The novices handicap chase has perhaps lost relevance for the festival but Severano ran a race full of promise last time, as did Espoir De Romay, who finished 2nd to Royale Pagaille at Haydock. This ought to be a race well worth watching back for pointers for the spring.

The Cotswold Chase has (frustratingly) become another race overshadowed by Nicky Henderson um-ing and ah-ing over whether to run his charge - this really is becoming quite tiresome - and we still don't know whether Santini will bid to follow up last year's victory. If he doesn't turn up then Bristol De Mai and Native River ought to have it between them. Paisley Park ought to have little trouble taking the Cleeve Hurdle.

There is a fine supporting card at Doncaster with three Grade 2s including Shishkin's latest attempt to avoid a serious rival, the Yorkshire Rose Mares Hurdle and the River Don (which flows through my home town) Novice Hurdle over 3 miles. The listed Sky Bet Handicap Chase is the 3rd televised race and the chances of Cap Du Nord are plain for all to see - he was second behind Royale Pagaille at Kempton and well clear of subsequent winner Double Shuffle in third.

Sunday's highlights are at Naas with the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle and a Grade 3 novice chase over 3 miles. The former sees a couple of interesting Mullins entries - Bachasson back over hurdles and the mare Buildmeupbuttercup but it is anyone's guess as to who will run. In the novice chase Asterion Forlonge will be hoping to make it past the first fence but even if he does he may find things difficult as this looks a decent race.

Of course everything is dependent upon the weather. Cheltenham is already soft, heavy in places with more rain forecast (although not a deluge). It ought to be soft with heavy patches - just plain old winter ground and nothing to get overly-anxious about. Doncaster is good-soft, soft in places with some rain due today and tomorrow so ought to be fine with soft / good-soft in places likely. Naas will be testing.

 

Looks like Cheltenham did indeed catch plenty of rain in the last 24 hours and there is now standing water on the track. Precautionary inspection at 2pm on Friday.

https://www.turftrax.co.uk/going_maps.html

 

Sheffield Tam - born in Stocksbridge and then we moved to neighbouring Deepcar when I was 8