WEEKEND SELECTIONS
1-30 WINCANTON RISING STARS NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 2) – 2 MILES
Arpege D’alene won at the first time of asking for Paul Nicholls last season so perhaps today he can defy a near nine month absence to do the same once again. He was highly progressive last year and was not beaten too far in a grade one race behind Parlour Games at Newbury. Following that run he recorded a second career win at Ascot seeing off the likes of Tea For Two and Buckhorn Timothy.
Long House Hall was well supported last time out but blundered badly in a novices chase at Cheltenham. Dan Skelton will be hoping that he has fully recovered following that spill and if so he looks to be amongst the chief dangers here. Prior to that mishap he had won three races in a row and he could once again get involved today. Emma Lavelle seems to have hit a purple patch once again and she will have been thrilled to see Junction Fourteen come back to somewhere near his best at Uttoxeter last time. This trip will be a minimum for him but he should make the frame. L’Unique seems to have lost the plot whilst Gentleman John and Dragon’s Den could find themselves up against it.
Arpege D’alene and Sam Twiston-Davies team up once again and with the yard operating at around a thirty per cent strike rate at present they have to command respect on what is their local track.
2-05 BADGER ALES TROPHY – 3 M 1 F 30 YDS
Royal Palladium represents an in-form yard and actually won three races in a row for Venetia Williams last season. This trip is ideal for this for this front running sort and if fit enough on what is his seasonal debut, he could make the most of his relatively light weight this afternoon. The form of his last win has worked out extremely well with the likes of Native Royal, Finding Your Feet and Desert Joe all coming out to frank the form subsequently and this improving son of King’s Theatre could defy double figure odds.
Paul Nicholls has won this race three times in the last seven years so anything that he runs is worthy of a second look. The Ould Lad makes his first appearance for the yard having joined from Tom George but he has only had a handful of runs and there is likely to be far more to come from him. Benvolio appreciates bottomless ground so if the rains were to arrive, his chances would increase with every inch that fell. Carole’s Destrier is another that goes well fresh and If Neil Mulholland has him fully wound up he too looks to have a live each way chance despite being burdened with top weight.
Royal Palladium is still only a seven year old and receives weight from all bar one rival this afternoon. Alan Cawley takes over in the saddle and this striking grey could be dangerous if allowed an uncontested lead. He will improve on whatever he does this afternoon but it would be foolish to dismiss his chances.
3-15 STANJAMES.COM ELITE HURDLE (GRADE 2 HANDICAP) – 1 M 7 F 65 YDS
Francis Of Assisi arrives here unbeaten in three starts for John Ferguson who landed this same race last season with the talented Purple Bay. He has been sent off at prohibitive odds on his last couple of runs but he recovered from a serious error in a three runner race to get back up and land the spoils at Fakenham last time. He was trained on the flat in Ireland by Aiden O’Brien and was a solid performer for Ballydoyle in his time with them. Aiden Coleman prefers him to stablemate Buckwheat and the duo command utmost respect.
All Yours looks the most progressive of the Paul Nicholls duo. He is another that is only lightly raced and he beat some decent sorts at Aintree including Devilment and Bristol De Mai. Irving is talented on his day but he isn’t the most trustworthy of individuals and better value is found elsewhere. Zarib was well fancied having run well in during the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival but he was bitterly disappointing on his next start in a handicap at Ascot. He may well improve this year but he looks far too short at current odds, whilst Melodic Rendezvous and Olofi may both need this run to set them up for the season.
Francis Of Assisi should be well suited by a decent gallop and a decent turn of foot could make all the difference this afternoon. This is a notable step up in grade but he is certainly worthy of his place and it would not be the biggest of surprises if he were to go very close.
SELECTIONS
SATURDAY 1-30 WINCANTON ARPEGE D’ALENE
SATURDAY 2-05 WINCANTON ROYAL PALLADIUM (E/W)
SATURDAY 3-15 WINCANTON FRANCIS OF ASSISI
