There was a technical error last month and this post was deleted shortly after being published, so we'll re-post it now in case anything in here will come in useful to our form studying in March.
Harry Fry confirmed post-race that Thomas Brown would be aimed at the Albert Bartlett over 3 miles at the festival, and after showing that he will stay and winning at the track, there's no reason why he shouldn't be taken seriously for it. The second also ran a very good race and it's hard to take anything away from him, other than maybe one mistake at the 4th. The disappointing horse in the race was Different Gravy, who is flattered by his finishing position of 4th. He jumped badly and looked well beaten early on. Zeroeshadesofgrey should be seen to better light over a longer distance.
Harry Fry confirmed post-race that Thomas Brown would be aimed at the Albert Bartlett over 3 miles at the festival, and after showing that he will stay and winning at the track, there's no reason why he shouldn't be taken seriously for it. The second also ran a very good race and it's hard to take anything away from him, other than maybe one mistake at the 4th. The disappointing horse in the race was Different Gravy, who is flattered by his finishing position of 4th. He jumped badly and looked well beaten early on. Zeroeshadesofgrey should be seen to better light over a longer distance.
Mon Parrain was the second winner of the day, given a fantastic ride by Sean Bowen who is also in good form after completing a treble on Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow last week. He carried the top weight and seemed to progress wearing blinkers for the first time. He looks a true stayer, and it will be interesting to see whether Nicholls has a Grand National outsider in this horse. Our Father ran well in 2nd but couldn't pass Mon Parrain on the hill, while Saint Aire put in a massive effort coming up the hill to finish 3rd, perhaps not gifted the same fine ride that Mon Parrain received under Bowen. The Grand National is most likely the aim for Saint Aire too and it's very possible that they're trying to get his mark up.
In 5th, veteran Pigeon Island put in an admirable effort, visibly tiring before the last but jumping it superbly and refusing to give up in an honest display up the hill. Charingworth on the other hand traveled well only to die in the final furlong, while Alfie Spinner also seemed to be going well at stages.
Evens favourite Ptit Zig, 6th in last year's Champion Hurdle, came out on top in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices Chase, strengthening his JLT claims (6/1 top price), with the 2m 4f novice chase more or less confirmed by Paul Nicholls to be the festival target. It was a good test for the classy winner and he yet again looked to be taking brilliantly to fences, with 4 wins from 4 starts this season.
Champagne West in 2nd didn't do his festival claims any harm either, with the RSA over a longer distance more likely his target, with better staying ability than his rival today. He's down to about 12/1 for that race and also warrants respect. It's always hard to analyse novice form, but at this stage Ptit Zig looks like a very exciting prospect and it would seem that if Champagne West can get him off the bridle, he's a very good horse himself. The form of this race could turn out to be extremely strong, and so it may be worth keeping an eye out for Top Totti, Ned Stark and Clondaw Kaempfer.
Then it was on to the Grade 3 2m 5f Handicap Chase, when Splash Of Ginge traveled well and took a massive jump over the last to win impressively. Given a great ride by Jamie Bargany, the Twiston-Davies charge made amends for falling here last month. The same yard won this race last year with Double Ross, who went on to be 3rd in the JLT and then 5th in the Topham, before contesting some of the top chases this season. It would be no surprise to see Splash Of Ginge going on to do the same, Hunt Ball just about got 2nd from Caid Du Berlais, who blundered the last and tried very hard coming up the hill - his jumping was costly and would have a negative effect on his chances in either the Ryanair Chase or Byrne Group Place.
Sean Bowen completed a double in the next on Rolling Maul who was another fine winner, also in blinkers for the first time - he traveled very well, jumped very well, and fought very well when he had to. It was another very good ride by Sean on father Peter's horse.
Rock On Ruby will be aimed at the World Hurdle at this year's festival after winning today. We have no way of telling whether he will stay that trip, but at the age of 10, it's likely to be his last festival. He beat Vaniteux in 2nd.
It's the last time we'll see racing here until the tapes go up and the roar sounds around Prestbury Park at 1.30pm on the 10th of March. Some interesting pointers from today - roll on the festival!
It's the last time we'll see racing here until the tapes go up and the roar sounds around Prestbury Park at 1.30pm on the 10th of March. Some interesting pointers from today - roll on the festival!
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