3 minute read
Gold Cup Bailly can maintain his perfect record over fences in the nhstallions.co.uk Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at Ayr.
The Scottish track has been a happy hunting ground for Stuart Crawford's runner, with his last two victories coming here.
He opened his chase account at Wexford in October after a hurdles campaign that saw him bump into the likes of Ahoy Senor and The Real Whacker.
Tackling an extended two and a half miles at Ayr in November, Gold Cup Bailly was always just doing enough to win by a length and a quarter and he prevailed by that same distance when stepped up to three miles last month.
The handicapper hiked him 4lb to a mark of 140 for that performance – but the fact he was entered in a Grade One heat at Leopardstown on Sunday perhaps best demonstrates his potential.
Jackpot De Choisel can give the Irish raiding party a second victory on the card in the Racing TV Juvenile Hurdle.
A €200,000 purchase after winning his sole Flat start in France, Jackpot De Choisel showed plenty of promise on debut for John McConnell as he came home third behind an odds-on favourite at Fairyhouse before Christmas.
He was a bit keen that day and that maybe told as he just lost out on second at the line, but Jackpot De Choisel looks a smart type, with a Triumph Hurdle entry reflecting that impression.
Bonttay can be given another chance over obstacles in the Virgin Bet Mares' Maiden Hurdle at Exeter.
Unbeaten in three bumpers, including one at Listed level, in 2021, Bonttay found Queens Gamble far too good on her return in November, prompting trainer Fergal O'Brien to make a swift switch to hurdles.
Sent off skinny odds at Lingfield, Bonttay was not totally fluent in her jumping, eventually beaten three-quarters of a length but with improvement still to come.
First Lord De Cuet has finished second on each of his four runs over fences but his time can finally come in the Virgin Bet Novices' Chase.
He has 3lb or more in hand on each of his three rivals here and David Pipe has seemingly found a good opportunity outside of handicap company.
Mrs Grimley is the pick in Leicester's racingtv.com Golden Miller Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
She made it third time lucky over hurdles at Ffos Las at the start of January, having shown up well to place in two previous starts.
Positive snapped a long losing streak recently and can kick on again in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap at Kempton.
The six-year-old was a narrow winner at Wolverhampton over Christmas, showing a nice turn of foot to prevail off a mark of 99 and register his first win since August 2019.
It should be noted that victory was a nose defeat of subsequent Classic winner Kameko in the Group Three Solario at Sandown, so the ability has always been there, even if Positive had lost his way a bit in the interim, with a 699-day break another factor in his luckless run.
SELECTIONS:
AYR: 12.45 Jackpot De Choisel, 1.17 Lake Takapuna, 1.50 GOLD CUP BAILLY (NAP), 2.25 Aazza, 3.00 High Moon, 3.35 Attention All, 4.10 Chalk That Down.
DUNDALK: 1.10 Royal Pompom, 1.42 Hinemoa, 2.17 Segomo, 2.52 Zawahir, 3.27 Poet's Pride, 4.02 Dutch Glory, 4.37 Tosen Wish, 5.12 Collective Power.
EXETER: 1.00 Colonial Empire, 1.35 First Lord De Cuet, 2.10 Bonttay, 2.45 Lagonda, 3.20 The King Of Ryhope, 3.55 Broadway Boy, 4.30 Sporting Ace.
KEMPTON: 5.00 Twistaline, 5.30 Cariad, 6.00 Mother India, 6.30 Measured Time, 7.00 Positive, 7.30 Bascinet, 8.00 Later Darling, 8.30 Tinchoo.
LEICESTER: 1.25 Weebill, 2.00 Flann, 2.35 Georges Saint, 3.10 Moonlighter, 3.45 Mrs Grimley, 4.20 Royal Sam.
DOUBLE: Gold Cup Bailly and Positive.