Alex Hammond Blog: Awesome Alpinista Claims Arc Glory and Jumping Action Returns to Chepstow | Race News
Sky Sports Racing presenter Alex Hammond returns with his weekly blog, looking back on a dramatic weekend in France and taking a look at the jumping action from this weekend.
Has a lot happened since our last conversation? Well, Christophe Soumillon has dishonored himself and his star mare mountaineer covered itself with glory by winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Sir Mark Prescott.
I’m off to Chepstow for the two-day jump season opener, but back to last weekend.
It’s not often you go racing and the reality exceeds expectations, but the Arc more than delivered, and I haven’t enjoyed a race meeting this much in a long time.
ParisLongchamp was buzzing after Alpinista did his thing and it was joyful to see Sir Mark Prescott the day after the win.
The big man has been training for 53 seasons and there’s no one better to groom a horse for a specific day than the master of Heath House, but those days usually come with a big handicap and not the flat race the most famous in the world.
It was wonderful for Luke Morris and also for owner/breeder Kirsten Rausing, who is so invested in the sport.
National Hunt fans have a lot to look forward to this weekend with the jump into high gear. Unusually dry weather for the season has resulted in some small fields, but there are some decent betting opportunities over the weekend.
The £75,000 Wasdell Handicap Hurdle Group Silver Trophy is the Saturday feature and the sponsors are running Champion of Zabeel barely out of the handicap, and he can’t be ruled out.
I think they can all fight Knappers Hill for Paul Nicholls. Another summer on his back should have helped him develop further and he has won seven of his 10 starts so far.
He’s got stamina to prove on the trip, but I think he’ll get it with no problem now that he’s hopefully a stronger role model.
Elsewhere on Saturday watch out for a horse in the closing Chepstow Construction Equipment Open NH Flat Race.
Bannow Bay Boy finished second in an Irish point-to-point in February to a horse called Matata who is held in high esteem by his connections. You expect this horse to run well if it is fully prepared for its debut under the rules.
Nostrum is as short as 8/1 for next year’s 2000 Guineas after an impressive win at Newmarket on Thursday
Let’s not forget Newmarket this weekend though, with the chic colts lining up for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes on Saturday when Panacea will be popular having won two of the two, including the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes last time out.
The fact that Sir Michael Stoute has a slant on this speaks volumes about the respect he has.
At a higher price, isaac shelby worth keeping on your radar for Brian Meehan. He is 9/1 and with Sky Bet paying three places, instead of two, he could fill one of those places.”
