Good Ground Glory at Towcester
Right then, settle in with your pint because we've got a proper evening's entertainment ahead at Towcester this Saturday. Seven races under the lights with that lovely spring going reading of Good - exactly what the doctor ordered after all the winter slop we've endured. At 61% soil moisture, this track will be riding a dream, and you can bet your last tenner that the speedier types will fancy their chances tonight.
The Northamptonshire venue has always been kind to front-runners on this sort of ground, and with the evening shadows starting to lengthen, we should see some proper jump racing. The feature attraction comes in the shape of the £18,600 Eaton Hall Shooting Ground Handicap Hurdle at 6:50pm, where some serious handicap hurdlers will be slugging it out over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.
Feature Race: The Eaton Hall Shooting Ground Handicap Hurdle
This Class 2 contest is the evening's main event, and what a cracker it promises to be. Super Survivor heads the weights at 138, and fair play to Jamie Snowden's ten-year-old warrior - he's been knocking on the door all season. Gavin Sheehan knows him inside out, and on this Good ground, the old boy should be right in his element.
But hold your horses before backing the jolly. Minella Rescue for Gary Hanmer catches the eye at 133, especially with that course and distance winner tag next to his name. James Davies takes the ride, and this eight-year-old has been running some blinders lately. The combination of proven course form and a handy weight makes him a serious player.
Don't overlook Skyjack Hijack either - Jennie Candlish's charge has that distance winner's badge, and at 130, he's well-handicapped if putting his best foot forward. William Shanahan's booking suggests connections fancy their chances, and rightly so.
Conditional Jockeys' Chase: McCain's Double-Handed Attack
The evening kicks off with a proper puzzle in the 5:20pm Conditional Jockeys' Chase, where Donald McCain unleashes a two-pronged attack with Independent Jimmy and Jiair Madrik. William Maggs takes the ride on Independent Jimmy, the joint top-weight at 95, while his brother Charlie Maggs partners Jiair Madrik.
Now, McCain doesn't send two to post unless he fancies both, but if I'm picking one, it's Independent Jimmy. The seven-year-old has been running with credit all season, and this Good ground should suit his style down to the ground. At 2m4f, he gets the trip that brings out the best in him.
Venetia Williams' Ironica de Thaix can't be ignored though - Ned Fox knows how to get a tune out of the tricky ones, and this French import has bags of ability when the mood takes him. At the same rating as Independent Jimmy, he's worth serious consideration.
Novice Hurdle Intrigue and Handicap Puzzles
The 5:50pm Novices' Hurdle is all about Beau Quali, rated a lofty 119 and carrying Sean Bowen in the saddle. Christian Williams' six-year-old is a class above these on paper, but that distance winner's tag makes him hard to oppose. The question is whether he's well enough handicapped to give weight away to some promising types.
Keep an eye on Final Surprise for Alastair Ralph - unrated but with Ciaran Gethings aboard, suggesting there's more to come. Sometimes these unrated novices can spring surprises when the handicapper hasn't got their measure yet.
Later in the evening, the 7:55pm Somersby Handicap Hurdle looks a proper cavalry charge with thirteen runners. Kingdom of Stars and Nitty Gritty head the market at 100, but in these big-field handicaps, it often pays to look further down the weights. Callum Pritchard on Whenthemusicstops could be the value play at 96.
Speed Merchants in the Finale
The 8:30pm Hobgoblin Handicap Hurdle brings down the curtain over a sharp 1m7f trip that'll sort the wheat from the chaff. Spartan Times heads the weights at 105 with that crucial course and distance winner's form in the book. Jennie Candlish knows how to place one, and William Shanahan's booking adds confidence.
But don't sleep on Zafaan for Charlie Clover - Sean Bowen wouldn't be making the trip for nothing, and at 103, this six-year-old could be well-treated. The Good ground will suit his style, and over this sharp trip, class often tells.
Tom's Best Bets
Right, here's how I'm playing tonight's Towcester racecard:
Banker: Minella Rescue in the feature race - that course form is gold dust, and Gary Hanmer's in flying form.
Value Play: Independent Jimmy in the opener - McCain's horses are flying, and this Good ground is perfect.
Each-Way Shout: Whenthemusicstops in the big handicap hurdle - Candlish knows how to place them, and the price should be right.
The going's perfect, the fields are competitive, and there's proper prize money on offer. Should be a cracking evening's sport under the Towcester lights. Sláinte!
