Jul 07, 2014

Abbot's Whispers - Race Preview 7th July 2014

2.15: Spa Hill won a bumper in Ireland and was placed there four times he makes his debut here for new connections and could run into a place. It is a tight call between Paul Nicholls Maxi Chop who certainly has the ability to take this contest but questions must be asked after pulling up last time, therefore BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is our selection he has the better recent form having finished a close fourth at Worcester last month.
PLACEPOT: 3 & 8

2.45: Houndscourt is a winning pointer and won a novice hurdle in November and has the ability to run into a place here. The mare Luci Di Mezzanotte ran has form over hurdles and has run in better company she made a promising start to her chasing career when second at Worcester in May. VESPERAL DREAM is our selection he won over hurdles here in May and followed up at Aintree last month.
PLACEPOT: 4

3.15: Bumper winner Garnock was unlucky when beaten a short head at Fontwell in May and ran a good third last week at Stratford she is in form and will go very close. EBONY EMPRESS who ran in a Listed race at Aintree in April finished third here over the distance last month to Amazing D’azy and is fancied to win this with A P McCoy booked to ride. Bumper second Clonmore Dew could run a big race here for Dan Skelton on hurdling debut.
PLACEPOT: 5 & 6

3.45: Paul Nicholls won this race last year and the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies on recent Worcester winner MERRION SQUARE suggests he is preferred to Oscargo who would not be with each way claims. Danandy was unlucky last time and if repeating his Worcester form will be a big danger here as will Punchestown festival runner Tempest River who ran very well there in a Grade C chase.
PLACEPOT: 2 & 10

4.15: Gracchus found plenty when winning on fast ground at Ffos Las last month but has a 6lb higher mark to overcome here. Tamarillo Grove won this race last year and comes here in good form having finished second at Towcester in May. Nicky Henderson’s GREY BLUE is our selection he struggled at Market Rasen in April but was a close second at Worcester under Nico de Boinville last month and we think he will go one better here.
PLACEPOT: 2 & 7

4.45: Applause For Amy was denied a hat-trick over 2m 3f here last time but has claims over the longer trip. Irish point winner Almost Gemini was placed at Southwell in a 3m maiden three weeks ago and could be a danger in this handicap. Philip Hobbs ACCORDING TO SARAH has been knocking on the door of late with close seconds here over the distance and at Uttoxeter 2m 4f we expect her to go one place better today.
PLACEPOT: 3 & 6

5.15: Rusty Nail showed improvement when second here over the distance he looks a danger here at a good price. Five time point-to-point winner RIGHTEOUS GLORY battled it out at Fontwell last month to win by a neck from Ladfromhighworth who has since won here. Tough Talkin Man gained a very good win over the distance at Ffos Las in June and was not disgraced when third last time and will go close here.