Big Boy Barney TA – 5.30
and stable jockey Jonathan Burke look a formidable combination for the National Hunt Flat Race over two miles of ‘good to firm’ Taunton, another example of good opportunist Racing Calendar spotting ny experienced veteran trainer Fergal O’Brien.
Sticking with Fergal runners in ‘Bumpers’ has been most rewarding and Big Boy Barney, a winning ‘point-to-pointer’ on his only start ‘between the flags’ around the picturesque amateur landscape of Loughanmore, Ireland, last year, was subsequently purchased and set-up for his debut at Warwick 31 days ago, what a resounding effort; this Doyen gelding, well-backed into third favouritism, finished fourth, beatenly seven lengths by Destination Dubai, our 14/1 second at aintree last Saturday after looking all over the winner, till caught close home.
Warwick form is invariably strong, often smacks of real class and Big Boy Barney needs only to replicate his last time effort and, we’re told, ‘he’s come on a bundle.
Price-wise we might be lucky because in-form ex-champion trainer Paul Nicholls saddles once-raced Calvino, a moderate beaten 22 lengths but, apparently, respected and, of course, the stable has a fine record at this local track..
Calvina will have it ‘all on’ to challenge Big Boy Barney and it will be interesting to see if any of seven other rivals proves useful.
‘The Boy’ looks a solid betting proposition, especially with Burke likely to be positive by sorting out the wheat from the chaff.
Earlier, in a 7-runner Novices’ Hurdle over same course distance,
Rascallion TA – 2.55
attempts to defy a penalty, incurred with an all-way victory around Plumpton nine days ago.
Rascallion, yet another winning nap selection for this column, made all under Charlie Deautsch who will doubtless emplay similar tactics aboard Henrietta Knight’s runner which achieved a career–best time-handicap mark.
Striking while the iron is hot is always good policy and though this 6-y-o Johnny Barnes gelding was flat out to beat strong-challenging Elforleather a length the rest were TWENTY-SEVEN further back.
The runner-up, reckoned useful, is a ‘cert’ future winner, and so, take note!
In stark contrast on a pristine ‘good’ surface’ Nottingham don’t miss
Storm Free NO – 2.05
in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs; a time-handicap ‘special!’
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