Good Ground Glory at Towcester
Right then, racing fans, we're off to Towcester this Thursday afternoon for what promises to be a proper good day's jumping. The going is sitting pretty on Good with a soil moisture reading of 57 - exactly the kind of conditions that separate the wheat from the chaff and let the proper jumpers show their class.
Seven races on the card and I'll tell you what - Harry Skelton looks to have more rides than a Galway festival punter has regrets. The champion jockey has four mounts across the afternoon, and with the Skelton yard firing on all cylinders, we could be in for a right old feast.
Feature Race: Mares' Chase Holds the Key
The feature race has to be the 3:30 JMI Planning Mares' Handicap Steeplechase - an ARC Summer Chase Series qualifier worth nearly nine grand to the winner. Only four runners, but what a quartet they are.
That's Nice for Nicky Henderson and Harry Cobden sits at the head of the market, and rightly so. This six-year-old mare is rated 117 and has the class edge over her rivals. Henderson's record with mares over fences speaks for itself, and on this good ground, she should have conditions to suit.
Regal Renaissance brings solid form for the Jack Jones team with Sean Bowen taking the ride. At 113, she's not far behind the favourite on the ratings, and with Bowen having a cracking season, she can't be dismissed.
I Am The Moon for the Twiston-Davies father and son team represents decent each-way value at longer odds. Sam knows this track like the back of his hand, and at 102, she's not without a chance if the pace sets up right.
Novice Hurdle Battles Set the Tone
The opening 2:00 novices' hurdle looks a straightforward affair for Loriko, who brings a 121 rating into a field of largely unrated rivals. Harry Skelton takes the ride for his brother Dan, and this five-year-old should have far too much class for this company.
Mind you, keep an eye on Biggles with Stan Sheppard aboard. At nine years old, he might be getting on a bit, but Tom Lacey's stable is in decent form, and sometimes experience counts for plenty in these novice events.
The 2:30 novices' hurdle over the extended two and a half miles is where things get interesting. Coumeenoole brings another 121 rating for the Skelton team, and crucially, he's a course and distance winner. That's gold dust at a track like Towcester where knowing your way around the tight turns can make all the difference.
Handicap Hurdle Puzzles
The 3:00 handicap hurdle is where the real puzzle-solving begins. Eight runners, all tightly bunched on the ratings, and this is where we need to dig deep into the form book.
Secret Trix catches the eye immediately - not just because he's course and distance proven, but because he's been knocking on the door in similar company. Sean Bowen knows him well, and at 120, he's joint top-rated.
Noble Birth for Clare Ellam is the other 120-rated runner, and with Brendan Powell's experience in the saddle, he demands respect. These older horses often come good when the ground is right, and Good going should suit him down to the ground.
Don't overlook Tiger Orchid though - another course and distance winner who might just sneak in at a price. Stuart Edmunds doesn't send many runners this far north without good reason.
Late Card Value Hunting
The 4:00 Class 5 handicap hurdle over two and a quarter miles looks wide open, but Saxon Cross for Stuart Edmunds appeals as a progressive type who might still be ahead of his mark.
In the 4:30 handicap chase, Immortal Fame brings course and distance form that's hard to ignore. At ten years old, he knows his job, and Deborah Cole's team have been quietly going about their business.
The finale at 5:03 is another Class 5 puzzle, but Ask A Sainte for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen looks to have a touch of class about him that might just see him home.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Right, let me cut to the chase with my selections for today's Towcester racecard:
Banker: That's Nice (3:30) - Henderson's mare has the class and the conditions to suit.
Value Pick: Secret Trix (3:00) - Course winner who's been running well in similar company.
Each-Way Shout: Coumeenoole (2:30) - Course and distance winner for in-form Skelton team.
Outsider: Saxon Cross (4:00) - Progressive type who might still be improving.
The good ground should ensure we see some proper jumping, and with the quality of jockeys on show - particularly the Skelton and Bowen combination - we're in for a treat. Sometimes the best days at the races are the quiet Thursday afternoons where the cream rises to the top. This looks like being one of those days.
