Cheltenham’s over, and it’s fair to say Paddy did his conkers. That’s great news for all of us.
What we don’t want to do this weekend is give it all back. So let’s see what damage can be done once again.
I’m starting at Uttoxeter with the handicap hurdle over nearly 2m at 2.25pm, and the one I like the look of is NORTHANDSOUTH for the in-form stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies.
I was at Doncaster when the six-year-old scored last time and the key to that success was a breathing operation. He is still lowly weighted and can go in again.
Next at Uttoxeter is the novices’ handicap chase over 3m. This is tricky, but have a few quid each-way on APRIL DUSK for the Warren Greatrex team who have had a disappointing Cheltenham. The selection was a good second last time at Newcastle and is lightly raced for a seven-year-old. He stays well.
If that race was hard then what about the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at 3.35pm. POKER SCHOOL has gone up 6lb for a success at Kempton last time but this is his type of event and Ian Williams banged in a good winner at Cheltenham. A few quid each-way.
No doubt the big race of the day at Uttoxeter is the Midlands Grand National at 4.10pm. Obviously this is a stamina test, although the ground could be softer.
It’s a bit of a pin job but I could see COGRY running a big race on the better surface. He ran huge behind Sausalito Sunrise three races back and if repeating that would have a chance.
Over at Kempton there is a handicap chase over 2m at 2.40pm, and the one to back is SIRABAD, who disappointed last time for Paul Nicholls but is much better than that. I also want to be with a Nicholls runner Keltus in the next at Kempton the 2m 5f handicap so it could be a quick-fire double for the stable.
Follow up
Finally, it’s the Silver Bowl Handicap Chase at Kempton at 3.50. Back Twiston-Davies’ BALLYBOLLEY in this. He’s consistent without winning, but this could be his day.
So best of luck and let’s have some Yeeehaaas. A tough day – so don’t give all the Cheltenham winnings back!