Realta Liath NA – 5.13
despite an absence of 93 days since finishing a close 3rd (of 6 at Ascot) looks gilt-edged to make it third time lucky in a somewhat shallow twelve-runner ‘Bumper’ over an extended two miles of ‘good to soft’ Newton Abbot today; the Mares’ Open NH flat race mark achieved by the Warren Greatrex-trained Kingston Hill 5-year-old meets median requirement full on.
Given there are six newcomers, and two ‘formites’ need to improve considerably, it’s obviously a great opportunity for Realta Liath, a point-to-point winner, again mount of James Bowen whose brother Sean was runner-up to Harry Cobden in the recently completed 2023/24 Jockeys’ Championship.
James is as good as it gets, he wouldn’t be retained by ex-champion trainer Nicky Henderson otherwise!
Earlier over the course, and distance,
Fortified Fortune NA – 2.13
and Pirates Tale (rated 114) appear to dominate the 14-runner Novices’ Hurdle and the ‘Bumper’ time-comparison will indeed be interesting.
Every possible angle has to be explored to gain an edge and I’m fully aware ‘Summer-Jumping’ offers plenty of chances price-wise to profit monthly.
Fortified Fortune is relatively inexperienced but Christian Williams’ charge, mount of rapidly-aspiring Jack Tudor, stable jockey of David Pipe looks a tad more progressive than Pirates Tale, trained locally by Jim Frost, father of Bryony who recently moved to France on a full-time basis to take up a valuable contract.
What a success Bryony has been and we wish her well in what will be an explorative venture.
Windsor stages its obligatory Monday-Nighter which includes an ‘aged’ fourteen-runner Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over a mile on good ground; dominant are
Clove Hitch WD – 6.10
and Aurora’s Beauty ridden, respectively, by Oisin Murphy and William Buick who have won the last five champion jockey championships.
Preference is for Clove Hitch on the time-handicap and because everything Oisin rides for Andrew Balding seems to be winning; great combination!
Leave a Reply