Two at Chepstow!

    Bashful Boy runs today at Chepstow!
Today we have two runners at Chepstow, Via Dante and Bashful Boy.  Via Dante runs in the 2.10pm handicap chase in the colours of the David Pipe Racing Club, over 2m7f and Jack Tudor rides.  He has had just the one run so far this season when he finished fourth at Market Rasen, he has yet to win but he may well have won at Newton Abbot last season before falling at the second last fence when well clear.  I think he just got a little tired last time and that run should have put him spot on for this.  The form of the Market Rasen race isn’t too bad and the horse that finished just in front of him that day has won since.  His race looks competitive today but the track and ground will suit and I think he has an each way chance at 12/1.

Bashful Boy runs in the 2.45pm handicap hurdle over 2m3f and Jack Tudor rides.  He has been disappointing of late but he is a very likeable horse and the handicapper is slowly giving him a chance.  I am not sure he will like the heavy conditions today and he is a big price in another competitive field at 25/1.

Chepstow and Newcastle are the two jumps meetings today and there is only one flat card on the all-weather at Southwell.  In Ireland they have a jumps meeting at Limerick.  An interesting fact I came across yesterday by accident – Remastered won the bumper on today’s card at Chepstow in 2018, six years ago!

All eyes this weekend will be in Ireland on the Dublin Racing Festival which takes place on Saturday and Sunday.  Galopin Des Champs is on target to defend his Irish Gold Cup crown amongst a host of stars who will be on display.  Other names who could be running include State Man, Impaire Et Passe, EL Fabiolo and Dinoblue to name just a few!  We had a great weekend of action in Britain last weekend and this weekend we turn to Ireland to look for further Cheltenham Festival clues.

I am pleased to report that Gearoid Harney will be back riding out at Pond House for the first time tomorrow.  Gearoid has been out of action since a fall at Taunton at the end of December, where he suffered a bang to the head and a broken collarbone.  It will be good to have him back in the saddle here tomorrow and I am sure he will be back on the racecourse soon. 

What do you call a paper airplane that can’t fly?

Stationary!

Have a good day!