- Donny Boy one of the early season stars last term
- Corach has abundant stamina for Colin Parker
- Al Dudman is backing a Sportsbook double at Carlisle on Sunday
All set for Donny Boy's chasing debut
Back Donny Boy @ 7.06/1 in the 13:25 at Carlisle
A proper northern jumps' card on Sunday at Carlisle awaits and one of their best fixtures of the season is in store, and the Gordon Richards Novices' Chase has a field of 13 - the largest for the afternoon. The ground will be testing though. Very testing.
Donny Boy was the apple of my eye last term with highly impressive victories in the north on his first two starts - winning a bumper by 14L on debut at Kelso, and then followed up with a 9L victory on his hurdling debut at Newcastle. Both in soft and heavy conditions.
The wheels slightly came off behind Jonbon and he was brought down in the Premier Hurdle at Kelso last spring to sign off disappointingly for the season. However, it's his chase debut this afternoon and Nick Alexander has always had him pinned as a chasing type and he travels so well - which is such a plus at Carlisle.
He won't mind conditions as Alexander was at pains last term to keep him away from good ground, and an opening mark of 129 for his fences debut looks generous to say the least. I'm really looking forward to this horse for the season and I am hoping he can get back on track.
The yard could hardly be in better form after yesterday.
Corach to get his season up and running in the Colin Parker
Back Corach Rambler @ 5.04/1 in the 14:30 at Carlisle
A super day in the north east continues with the Colin Parker, and with the ratings at 153 and four at 140 and above, we have a fine collection of chasers set for a good season.
Corach Rambler for Lucinda Russell is a Cheltenham Festival winner, and somehow landed the Ultima last March from a position at one stage that looked far from ideal. He got further back than perhaps was intended, but going quick on decent ground in those festival races actually suited him as it drew out his abundant stamina.
Derek Fox never panicked and was cool as you like - despite the horse hitting 48.047/1 in-play.
He has his own unique style and at times looks unconventional, or did last season when winning at Aintree and Cheltenham as he can carry his head a little high, but there's nothing wrong with his attitude and if you can jump at Cheltenham and in Liverpool and get over those fences, you can jump anywhere - even if it is unconventional.
Heavy ground won't be an issue and he potentially could be a Scottish Grand National horse, as Russell has said in the past he'll get 4m. Whether he will be tuned up fully for his return is the only question mark, but I am prepared for that risk, although he did win his hurdling debut two seasons ago.
Expect him to be switched off out the back and he's another potential star of the north for the season, well Scotland.
September/October singles winners:
Pennymoor 17/2 Won and Placed
Tarhib 5/1 Won
Hoganville 3/1 Won
Sole Pretender 9/1 Placed R4
Maximilian Evens Won
Another Odyssey 5/4 Won
Magnetic North 16/1 Placed
Mr Alan 4/1 Won
Bright Diamond 13/2 Placed
Hurtle 2/1 Won
Good Impression 3/1 Won
Soft Whisper 2/1 Won
Enduring 9/1 Placed
Noble Dynasty 3/1 Won
Nostrum 2/1 Won
Kaif 15/8 Won
Only Money 2/1 Won
Ah La Francaise 5/2 Won
Exoplanet 5/1 Won
Courage Mon Ami 5/1 Won
City Walk 9/4 Won
Shaara 6/1 Won
Tarhib 5/4 Won
City Vaults 5/2 Won
Sea Stone 9/1 Won
Funny Story 5/2 Won
New Kingdom 8/1 Won
Prakasa 6/4 Won
Well Educated 9/4 Won
Kingori 10/11 Won
Dynamic Kate 10/11 Won
First View 9/2 Won
Mostahdaf 9/2 Won
Leopold's Rock 4/5 Won
High Velocity 9/2 Won
Back On Springs 5/4 Won