LAY OF TODAY IS…

LIDAR, 4.00, DONCASTER

Kempton and Newbury both stage jumping meetings today but there isn’t a flat fixture; what’s going on?
We’re entitled to ask because it makes a mockery of the planning committee which, presumably, does still exist; ‘Up North’ there are also NH programmes scheduled at Kelso and Doncaster where Fairoak Lad is ‘best-in’ on the time-handicap for the £20000 Handicap Hurdle over three miles.
Fairoak Lad ‘left it behind’ last time out, 98 days ago, when a disappointing, well-beaten favourite at Ascot; previously, on a similar ‘dead’ surface, Philip Hobbs’ charge wasn’t sighted at Perth which contrasted sharply to an unchallenged success in a staying hurdle around Wincanton. That was on firm ground and ‘Donny’ is forecast ‘good to firm!’
Hobbs is a past master at producing them fit ‘n rarin’ to go, there is absolutely no problem with his current form and strike rate which is why Fairoak Lad and Tom O’Brien are worth backing.
Another in-form yard is that of Alan King who journeys Lake Legend for the Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles; what beats him will win and, apparently, Katchit is showing all the right signs in preparation for his defence of the Champion Hurdle title.
With Nicky Henderson’s yard under a cloud and quite a few entries not certain to be declared little Katchit might just be ‘on the premises’ again. More on that in ten days!
That’s how close the ‘Festival’ is and, hopefully, you’re enjoying my own Cheltenham preview on-line detailing all the sorts of questions bound to be asked, and answered as the big day draws near. They are all on the archive.
Charlie Mann-trained Gold Cup entry, Air Force One, is another set for a racecourse gallop. He’s one of my long-priced fancies!
An ‘away day’ is extremely beneficial, therapeutically, for thoroughbreds; Binocular, Mighty Man and Monet’s Garden have been out during the last few days and Charlie is taking the Hennessy runner-up back to Newbury on Sunday, where some of Nicky Henderson’s other Festival prospects will perform.
Mann said: “Air Force will gallop on Sunday. I am just going to take a lead horse with him.
“The horse is in good form, it will be nice to get a breeze into him.”
Should be an interesting reaction to Henderson’s bunch; I’m convinced his yard is under a cloud!
Incidentally be wary of recent form, now that ‘firm’ is appearing in ground forecasts; it’s a whole new betting scenario and so, stick to my advice!

Selections, Doncaster, 2.25 Lake Legend; 2.55 Fairoak Lad (e.w); Newbury, 1.35 Definity; 4.20 Blues In Cee (e.w).

LAY OF TODAY just has to be GOLD AWARD, 2.00, DONCASTER with Nicky Henderson’s yard obviously right off form.
Not surprisingly a vintage pre-Xmas spell hasn’t been maintained this time round and Henderson is probably concerned with the Cheltenham Festival only ten days hence.
Gold Award will be making his hurdling debut, Calusa Crystal represents solid form and better ground will suit The Panama Kid.
At 2.2 BETDAQ/BETFAIR, which I’ve taken, Gold Award is the classic lay (’wrong’ price!) to supplement plenty of gains this week. A LOT, in fact!

Gaily Noble finished up winning at 4/9 last night but professionals (including myself!) got plenty of odds-against on exchanges. The early bird catches tthe worm, eh?

Cheltenham preview (cont)…

(Q) What do you expect the ground to be like?

(A) Chances are it will ride fast-ish; drainage, nowadays, is tremendous, extremely porus and so any amount of rain/watering has nothing like the same effect.
Thoroughbreds are confident when encountering a lush surface and stretch out with relish; unfortunately watering, especially on such an undulating track, creates false patches, they are lulled into a ‘false’ sense of security and often, BANG goes the tendons!
Watering has a lot to answer for, both on the flat and over jumps, because it creates speed…!
‘Speed kills!’

Wray Castle looks outstanding for the Maiden Stakes over twelve furlongs of Lingfield polytrack today.
Ian Williams’ charge failed by only a neck over this trip, on the similar Wolverhampton surface, eighteen days ago; Wray Castle improved considerably on a ‘bumper’ effort at Newbury where he was beaten sixteen lengths.
On the time-handicap Wray Castle definitely has the call over once-raced Key Regard and Scandal, a Reel Buddy gelding which landed a ‘bumper’ last November. He’s moderate though and shouldn’t be in the same league as the principals.
Weight-for-age means Wray Castle carries 21lbs more than 3-y-o Key Regard, a juvenile only seven weeks ago. That’s worth stating and makes you realise why youngsters are up against it for the first few months, especially in sprints which demand sheer power.
Josiah Bartlett attempts a follow-up in the 3-y-o handicap over a mile; last week Hayley Turner landed this column a 10/1 success when ‘Josiah’ stormed home to win over a furlong less at Wolves, for which he is penalised 6lbs.
That might anchor him and with ‘daily earner’ coming to the end of her skiing holiday Steve Drowne deputises; realistically this represents a tough assignment and preference, therefore, is given to Maison d’Or, ‘best-in’ on the TH and strongly-fancied over a distance that’s ideal.
Maison d’Or merits a serious each-way punt under Robert Havlin, one of my ‘favourites’ based on consistency.
Another ‘favourite’ is long-time friend, Pam Sly, who journeys Wistow to Doncaster for the Mares’ NH Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles.
Today could definitely be the day for this progressive five-year-old which, apparently, has been working really well. Each-way again and probably worth following along with stable-companion, Helpston, now on course for the Grand National Aintree meeting. Make a note of that!

Selection, Lingfield, 1.45 Wray Castle (nap); 3.25 Maison d’Or (e.w); Doncaster, 3.40 Wistow (e.w); Wolverhampton, 9.20 Co Dependent.