Fine Form
Bo Zenith SN – 2.25
has yet to fully fire since joining Nicky Henderson but is worth sticking with in the Betfair Imperial Cup at Sandown.
The six-year-old began his career in a most promising manner, beating the useful Blood Destiny in France before switching to Gary Moore, for whom he won twice and finished a short-head second in Grade One company at Aintree.
He then had a lengthy spell on the sidelines before returning to action under the care of Henderson at Cheltenham in December, when he was an eyecatching third, staying on strongly up the hill.
Bo Zenith was well backed at Sandown a month later but could manage only fifth behind Altobelli, again doing his best work at the business end of the contest.
Getting caught behind a back-tracking runner on the turn for home didn’t help that day and he was then forced to make up ground on the unfavoured far side.
With Nico de Boinville in the saddle for the first time, Bo Zenith will hopefully enjoy a smoother passage and the stiff finish at Sandown should be right up his street.
Paul Nicholls has a good record in the European Breeders’ Fund Betfair ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Final and
Belliano SN – 1.50
is taken to give him a fifth win in 15 years.
The Irish point-to-point winner had the misfortune of coming up against The New
Lion on his debut under rules at Chepstow but finished nicely clear of the rest in second.
He has since enjoyed comfortable odds-on victories at Ascot and Market Rasen, proving he can handle a decent surface on both occasions.
Dream Shadow SN – 3.00
gets the nod in the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Fergal O’Brien’s charge kept on well to score at Uttoxeter in October and the form of that has worked out well.
The six-year-old was then the subject of strong support at Market Rasen but finished third, behind reopposing runner-up Charisma Cat.
However, Dream Shadow may have just paid the price for chasing eventual winner
Kingston Queen as she faded late on and she can turn the tables on Charisma Cat if kept to a steadier pace.
Hoe Joly Smoke is another beaten favourite on a recovery mission after flopping at Newbury over the festive period, when the vet reported he had bled from the
nose.
Dan Skelton’s gelding had previously impressed when staying on strongly to score over this course and distance and can hopefully get back on track.
Western General HR – 2.05
will take some beating in Hereford’s DragonBet Backing Our Opinion At Cheltenham Handicap Chase if in the same form as when bolting up by 10 lengths at Wincanton last time.
On the all-weather at Wolverhampton, Irish raider
Final Voyage WL – 2.45
represents an in-form Johnny Murtagh yard in the BetMGM Lincoln Trial Handicap.
The seven-year-old has been running consistently well at Dundalk and the booking of Billy Loughnane suggests connections mean business.
Jabaara WL – 3.20
is of interest in the Listed-class BetMGM Lady Wulfruna Stakes for Roger Varian.
A winner at this level on turf at Musselburgh and Carlisle last summer, she was then second to Porta Fortuna in the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket before being first past the post in Group Three company at Goodwood, only to be demoted to second in the stewards’ room.
Leave a Reply