Weekend Runners / Harry Bowles / 11 February 2011 / 1

Newbury is the focal point this weekend, and even if the withdrawal of Woolcombe Folly has left Paul Nicholls considerably less well represented than would have otherwise been the case, there are still a number of Ditcheat inmates who are bound to be of significant interest.

It hasn't been the smoothest of transitions to hurdles for Al Ferof, mindful of his achievements in bumpers anyway, but he got off the mark easily at Taunton last month and clearly remains with bucketloads of potential. His main danger in the novice at 13:20 is sure to prove Kid Cassidy, but his limitations were highlighted to an extent when third to Rock On Ruby at Newbury last time and it will be something of a disappointment if Al Ferof fails to further his name as a hurdler.

Valentine Vic made his debut in a bumper only fifteen months ago and is very much the unknown quantity in the three-mile handicap (13:55) after just two runs over hurdles at Taunton last winter, winning the first and reportedly suffering a breathing problem when a remote third to Voramar Two on the second. He's undergone a breathing operation during a year on the sidelines and is clearly worthy of close attention in the betting returning, possessing plenty more in terms of residual potential than those he's coming up against.

After finishing second to stablemate Long Run, Riverside Theatre is liable to be very popular in the Aon Chase at 14:25. Nicholls fields What A Friend and Noland in opposition. The former's gradual prrogression culminated in Grade 1 wins at Leopardstown and Aintree last season, but there wasn't a great deal of encouragement to take from his reappearance behind Imperial Commander in the Betfair Chase and, as one who has long since looked on the edge temperamentally, better needs to be seen before he can be backed with any confidence. That's even more the case with Noland; a Grade 1 winner over both hurdles and fences, he returned from a long absence to finish what appeared to be reasonably encouraging second in a 'bumper' at Kempton in December. It was difficult to draw hard-and-fast conclusions from that, however, something not the case with his tame effort returned to fences at Cheltenham next time, where he looked a shadow of his former self.

With Woolcombe Folly out, it's down to Tchico Polos in the Game Spirit (15:00). No mean second string though, tough and genuine as he is, and with the opposition beatable on one score or another, a return to the form which saw him finish second to Cornas at Sandown last month would surely see him go close, especially as he's 13 lb better off with that reopposing rival.

Aiteen Thirtythree has been touted as a chaser all along, and he made a cracking start to his career over fences when easily winning a Grade 2 novice at this same track in November, his chance there admittedly made a lot easier by the fatal fall of Tell Massini. He faces just two rivals in the novice chase at (16:05) and is expected to prove too strong for both Tarablaze and Jokers Legacy to show himself a contender for some major end-of-season races.

The bumper which rounds off proceedings is typically a good one, and this year's renewal appears no different, Persian Snow in particular having cut out a good impression when making a winning start at Ascot in late-October. He beat Balding Banker six lengths on that occasion and hasn't been seen since. In the meantime Balding Banker went on to show himself comfortably above-average himself with a decisive success at this track a month later. Their rematch is eagerly anticipated, and we at Timeform narrowly side with the latent potential of Persian Snow.

Also on Saturday, the rearranged Irish Hennessy meeting takes place - without Pride of Dulcote - at Leopardstown. Nevertheless, Indian Daudaie does go to post in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at 13:10 and offers members of the Timeform Betfair Racing Club an excellent opportunity to bask in Grade 1 glory. He's been lucky enough to spend the week at Ted Walsh's yard since last weekend's abandonment and by the look of things shouldn't have too much to fear from the Irish-trained opposition, their juveniles appearing a substandard bunch on the whole. The possible exception is the Dermot Weld-trained filly Unaccompanied. She looked good when winning a maiden at Punchestown and could do a whole lot better, but will need to jump more proficiently upped markedly in class.

At Exeter on Sunday, Cap Elorn takes in the opening novice hurdle (14:10), but he looks firmly one of the lesser lights at Ditcheat and can't be expected to cope with the likes of Highland Valley or Araldur and will surely be of more interest when qualifying for a modest handicap mark after this.

An intriguing match-up in the listed novice hurdle at 14:40 sees two very exciting French-breds go head to head, namely the Nicholls-trained Cedre Bleu and the Henderson-trained Spirit Son. Cedre Bleu is a really strapping sort who, as the cliche goes, is just picking up bonuses over hurdles, but his ten-length defeat of Titan de Sarti at Newbury last month goes to show he's got more than enough about him to take high rank all the same. If anything, Spirit Son made an even more striking start to his career in this country when not needing to come off the bridle to beat a couple of progressive placed horses at Huntingdon, and earning himself a large 'P' in the process. It really is a fascinating clash, one which could well have an impact on the betting for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Definity has long since promised to make a classy staying novice chaser, and despite having to sit a year out, he's belatedly proving as much now, all the better for his reappearance when showcasing a slick, accurate jumping technique en route to winning a maiden at Fontwell last month. He's facing horses with more experience in the graduation chase at 15:10, but very likely less ability, and this is expected to represent his next step up the ladder.

After running to a relatively high level to finish runner-up in a Fontwell bumper, Water Garden created a platform on which to build when fifth to Mister Hyde in a novice hurdle at Plumpton. He was soon spared a hard time when it became clear winning was out of a question and is nailed on to improve. He'll need to, mind, and it remains to be seen whether he's campaigned more with handicaps in mind.

There are some leading yards represented in the concluding bumper and the market will likely speak volumes. The French-bred War of The World is meeting the racecourse for the first time and is a half-brother to four winners, including recent Doncaster scorer Sagalyrique.

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1. jimmyp | 12 February 2011

   Paul,
   Any chance of an update on the well-being and Cheltenham plans for Royal Charm and Robinson Collonges?
   Regards

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