After the fortunes of Day One, comes the losses of Day Two. It’s been an up and down couple of days for Four To Follow, but we aim to end on a high with some competitive Sunday action. The Greatwood Hurdle takes centre stage, with some interesting picks. Here’s a rare Sunday Four To Follow.
What’s The Name?
1:10 – mallardjewllers.com Maiden Hurdle – Tellherthename@ 2/1 (General)
The Kemble Brewery was a great winner in the last race at the Showcase Meeting and shows over hurdles for the first time here. But I think some experience is needed when it comes to these races, and Tellherthename has made a good account of himself. Nosed off at Ascot, when leading in the final 150yds, his performance on soft ground can’t go unnoticed here.
And Cannock Park seems to love a bit of cut, judging by his win at Bangor last time out. The form hasn’t worked out well for Cannock Park, but sometimes a four-length win says enough. He’s a worth a place at 9/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, BetUK).
Brightening Up
2:20 – Jewson H’cap Chase (Premier) – Cloudy Glen @ 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor)
A proper stayer’s race deserves a proper stayer. And whenever I see those colours of the late Trevor Hemmings, my eyes light up. Cloudy Glen unseated at the first in the Grand National, so scratch that race and focus on his previous performances.
He’s been off a tough mark for a while and is down to a more workable mark of 142. His record in November reads 14113, so it’s clear that this is the time to catch him is now.
Wayfinder is one of those horses I enjoy watching. He was a Chepstow regular but has switched to try and become a Cheltenham regular. He’s versatile on all grounds and performed admirably on racecourse reappearance at the Showcase meeting. 14/1 (General) is not a bad price.
Dom Of Mary makes appeal on the soft ground, with his last win coming on heavy ground. He ran well in his previous two starts, considering the ground wasn’t to his liking.
Remaining on the same mark of 118 with five pounds taken off makes appeal at 16/1 (General). Needs to be up to a career best to win at a track he’s never been at before.
Oh Jonny Boy
2:55 – Shloer Chase (Grade Two) – Jonbon @ 8/13 (William Hill, Unibet)
Jonbon is by a far and away the best in, what is, a high-class renewal of the race. Despite there being four runners, all are top graded winners.
Edwardstone looks to be going over further. Nube Negra is looking to win the race for a third time (and looks like his only opportunity this season) and Editeur Du Gite looks overpriced after an inexplainable race at Exeter last time out.
Reverse Forecast on Jonbon and Editeur Du Gite might be the angle to go with for this race.
As Cold As Ice-cream
3:30 – Unibet Greatwood Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Knickerbockerglory @ 11/1 (Unibet, BetUK)
The case for Knickerbockerglory is an interesting. He carries a penalty, which is immediately taken off by Tristan Durrell. But he is two pounds well in on his mark, and the only one who is in the field. A difference like that can change everything in a handicap of this nature. The five-pound rise seems fair, but soft ground is once again in his favour and can deliver another big performance.
In what has been a successful week for Sir Alex Ferguson, Sonigino has another crack at the Greatwood. Last year, it was ran on good ground and missed out two flights which didn’t make it a true test.
This year it’s the complete reverse. Soft ground will provide a stern jumping test, which Sonigino will relish, and Freddie Gingell’s allowance brings his mark to within a pound of his last winning mark. Maybe a little too high in the market, but still worth backing at 11/1 (William Hill, BetUK).
Punctuation is another I fancy, and one I had a good look at York on reappearance on the flat. He loves to be held up, especially with the soft conditions to catch the keen going ones who prefer it firmer. He’s only two pounds higher than Knickerbockerglory, which means he can’t be that far away from his rival on the run to the line. A good each-way shot at 14/1 (Boylesports).
The very best of luck!
