Saturday and Aintree and the first Graded race of the infant NH season in the shape of the Grade 2,two and a half mile Old Roan Chase. All entrants in the eight runner field are rated 165 plus, so this a proper event and these types wouldn’t need to improve too much to be genuine Grade 1 contenders.

The laying pin will land with no fear with the Racing Post’s Mel Cullinan’s nap Tidal Bay. A tremendously impressive winner of the Arkle in his novice season, the horse did struggle in his second season and while not disgracing himself did appear shy of the highest level, finishing the season a very well beaten in the Martell Chase over tomorrow’s course and distance.

There is the suggestion that Tidal Bay is actually caught between trips, he patently doesn’t stay three miles, but I actually think he is a two miler and even the 20 furlongs tomorrow will stretch him. I am far from convinced that he is the safest of conveyances and if anything his jumping has disimproved. There are others that make more appeal.

Tartak has an extremely progressive profile, but as a second season novice may also struggle. Kicks For Free could be the horse that finally delivers on his promise of previous seasons.

I however will side with Knowhere a proven Grade 1 scorer with no stamina doubts and a decent price from the in form Twiston- Davies yard.

But Tidal Bay for me.

Don

This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm and is filed under horse racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.