The Daily Yankee
NAP OF THE DAY: Kildisart, (1500 Newbury), 2pts win, 7/1:
What was the old Henessey is a great race that tends to fall to two types – a lightly raced future Gold Cup type, or a hardy sort who is best handicapped and suited by conditions. With due respect to Vinndication, he is a rung or two off Gold Cup class so this looks more a case of who will go best on the day. Black Op has form if he could be relied upon to omit his obligatory blunders, whilst Ardlethen is a very interesting outsider who is worth a look at each way. But this looks most likely to come down to the rematch of the Cheltenham festival handicap in which The Conditional edged out Kildisart and Vinndication. On revised weights you should be able to throw a saddle cloth over the lot come the line, but we have confidence that Kildisart can prevail. He had a lovely comeback run over hurdles and although regular pilot Jacob has deserted him to chase a big pot at Newcastle, sub Nico de Boinville could actually be an advantage. Few jockeys rival NdB for getting a horse into a jumping rhythm- which is this fella’s regular weakness. Good ground should be ideal as the last time he saw it he ran away with a big race at Aintree in 2019, and if Nico gets him popping away he will stay this trip in style. Huge chance.
Kapcorse, (1315 Newbury), 11/2: another measure of the quality of the man that is JP McManus with him turning his massed entries here out in the old racing colours of legend Peter O’Sullevan after whom the race is named. Given that level of care it can be expected that some or all of his entries have been especially targeted. The most likely is Kapcorse, who won this same race by 10l when last running over fences two years ago. Two subsequent hurdles runs that season suggest that connections may have been keen to preserve a generous chase rating in advance of the spring festivals only for injury to intervene. It’s been a long lay-off since, but Paul Nicholls is just about the best in the business, and one of those yards for whom a long absence is often not an issue. It’s worth taking the chance as few others in here look to have much in hand of their ratings.
Champagne Platinum, (1350 Newbury), 8/1: Tea Clipper is the horse on a roll but his weight has been adjusted accordingly and this will be tougher. Nicky Henderson does well at his local track and runs a few interesting ones here. Stable jockey Nico de Boinville is on Champagne Platinum and he looks very interesting. A good novice two seasons ago he was considered worthy enough to contest a grade 1 at Punchestown. Last season looked like a long novice chase plot to ready him for a gamble in the Kim Muir at the festival where he went off favourite but only came a fair 7th. Back over hurdles off the same promising mark of 137, we have to take it on trust he could be ready first time out, but he absolutely has the talent for this mark and the jockey booking suggests less subterfuge this year.
Whatmore, (1515 Newcastle), 10/3: three lightly raced chasers head the market here and with due respect to the novice The Butcher Said, this looks to rest between Pym and Whatmore. Pym has the class but also has the weight. Whatmore looks well weighted but seems to lack the tools to win races. They met this time last year over a slightly shorter trip with Pym narrowly ahead, but Whatmore is a massive 17lbs better off. That has to make a difference and Henry Daly’s horse was probably unlucky to get edged out by a course specialist at Ascot last time. He is due a good win.
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