Rory Delargy

NEWBURY SATURDAY

2.50 LADBROKES SUPPORTING GREATWOOD HANDICAP HURDLE (2M 110Y)

It’s easy to see Albert Bridge going well here after he won snugly at Chepstow last time but it may pay to give another chance to Royal Guardsman for the in-form Ali Stronge. Formerly a smart bumper performer for Colin Tizzard, he failed to reach the heights expected of him over fences, but is lightly raced and potentially well treated as a hurdler, and looked like his reappearance run at Market Rasen last month would bring him on. It’s interesting that the realistic Stronge has him entered in a couple of the festival handicaps, and while he’d probably not get in even if picking up a penalty, it’s clear that he’ll not be having a school around Newbury.

3.25 STANJAMES.COM SUPPORTING GREATWOOD GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE (2M 4F)

This is a contest which Paul Nicholls has farmed in recent years, and it looks like he’s laid Sound Investment out specifically. The Dr Massini gelding is best short of three miles so it’s easy to forgive his latest effort behind The Young Master at Ascot and earlier efforts at Sandown and Newbury read very well. His win at the former venue came against a competitive field and several of the runners who finished in his wake have gone on to land handicap chases since. Rested since Ascot, the seven-year-old remains open to improvement and seems certain to put up a bold show.

Royal Regatta is unexposed, and looks the main danger although Westward Point is intriguing having impressed on his handicap debut at Wetherby. The main concern with him is that he’s been off the track since that outing in December 2013 which raises questions about his ability to back it up.

DONCASTER SATURDAY

3.10 BETBRIGHT MOBILE APP HANDICAP HURDLE (3M 110Y)

Best bet on the card at Doncaster is Nicky Henderson’s Call The Cops, who caught my eye in no uncertain terms in a Pertemps Qualifier at Kempton in October, looking a handicap winner in waiting. Outpaced when the tempo increased before the second last that day, he began to put in some good late work without Barry Geraghty getting too serious with him, and eventually finished fourth, well in front of subsequent Exeter winner Master Malt. That effort marked him out as a major player in the series final but there was a suggestion at the official weights launch in midweek that he’d be in danger of missing the cut. That eventuality would be a disaster for the carefully laid plans of connections, so it appears they are attempting to ensure his place by picking up a penalty. That’s clearly a slightly risky strategy in terms of his Cheltenham prospects, where every ounce counts, but it’s a massive positive for his backers at Doncaster where he will be given every chance of winning.

3.45 BETBRIGHT GRIMTHORPE CHASE (3M 2F)

I’ve made the point a few times this season about forgiving poor runs in the Hennessy Gold Cup and backing those who struggled at Newbury has paid handsome dividends since. That theory is put to the test again here, albeit with a previous year’s contest under the microscope. Super Duty proved wonderfully tough and consistent as a novice chaser for Donald McCain and his only poor effort in this sphere came on his 2013/14 return. Since then he’s moved to Ian Williams in line with the owners’ other horses (Indian Castle another talented chaser to make the same switch), and was given a prep run over hurdles last month, where he looked rusty, but shaped as if retaining plenty of his old ability. He’s now competing off a lower mark than when an excellent second in the 2013 Kim Muir, and would surely go close if coming on as expected from that Wetherby spin. He’s still only a nine-year-old, and there is no obvious reason to assume he’s in decline.

KELSO SATURDAY

3.35 PREMIER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT HANDICAP CHASE (2M5F110Y)

It’s time to don my “I Heart Sandy Thomson” cap as I once again row in with Oscar Lateen, who unseated when a selection in this column on his penultimate start before finding the mercurial Romany Ryme too strong at Carlisle. That form can be crabbed but that’s only because the winner is a moody type who hasn’t responded to the continued use of headgear. On the day, George Bewley’s gelding was rocket propelled and the pair were well clear of their rivals. That was a punishing race and Thomson has wisely rested Oscar Lateen since. He remains on an astonishingly lenient mark of 92 and I’m going to put my reputation on the line by suggesting he’ll be at least 20lb higher in the weights by the autumn. There is a vague chance that he will be sharper for the run, but that’s a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things, and with his jumping no longer looking a liability at Carlisle, I expect him to prove himself worthy of a place in higher grade.

4.45 ANDERSONS AWARD WINNING BUTCHERS HANDICAP HURDLE (2M6F110Y)

The belated step up beyond two and a half miles looks made to order for the underrated Ballyvoque and George Charlton’s runner ought to repay each-way support in this handicap, which isn’t as deep as the numbers imply. Very lightly raced for a nine-year-old, the son of Revoque has always looked like stamina might be his strong suit and he was a winner over shorter here on his handicap bow. He’s run at least as well in two starts since and clearly found the minimum trip too sharp for him at Catterick last time. Kelso has long been a happy hunting ground for Charlton and Ballyvoque can provide him with another course winner in the colours of father Alistair.

RECOMMENDED

CALL THE COPS 3.10 Doncaster – 2pts win

SUPER DUTY 3.45 Doncaster – 1pt win

OSCAR LATEEN 3.35 Kelso - 2pts win

BALLYVOQUE 4.45 Kelso – 1pt e/w