3 minute read
Givega is backed to enhance his reputation and announce himself as one of the UK’s top prospects when he lines up in the Ballymore Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick.
Gary Moore saw his Tolworth Hurdle hotpot Authorised Speed sunk at Sandown last week, but this talented seven-year-old can put a smile back on the face of the Lower Beeding handler.
A winner in the pointing field for Colin Bowe in early 2021, it took some time for this son of Authorized, who is out of a sister to the great six-time Cheltenham Festival winner Quevega, to make the track under rules.
However, since doing so, he has done nothing but create a deep impression by following up a bloodless victory on his stable debut at Lingfield with an equally taking triumph at Fontwell on Boxing Day.
This will prove the first real test of Givega's ability, but he has always been held in the highest regard and the step up in distance should bring about plenty of improvement.
The feature Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase is often no place for the faint hearted and Ben Pauling's Nestor Park looks to have all the attributes to thrive in this gruelling staying test.
The nine-year-old showed some smart form over fences last term, notably when third in the Mandarin at Newbury before scoring at the same venue on his next start, and he looked strong at a similar trip when third at Haydock on his return in November.
Galia Des Liteaux is definitely better than she showed at Kempton over Christmas.
Dan Skelton had been making bullish noises about the mare after she won at Listed level on her chasing debut at Bangor.
Upped to Grade One company for the Kauto Star, she made two absolute howlers on the first circuit and was never on an even keel, eventually being pulled up.
Skelton has clearly lost none of his faith in her as Warwick takes some jumping, but she remains of great interest in the eventmasters.co.uk Hampton Novices' Chase.
With champion trainer Paul Nicholls unable to do much wrong of late, Pic D'Orhy can oblige at Kempton in the Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase.
He won the Pendil Novices' Chase over course and distance last season and has won two of his three starts since, including both outings this term.
He jumped and galloped his rivals into submission in the Peterborough Chase and could cut loose on the front end once again around the tight turns of the Sunbury track.
Makin'yourmindup has really matured this season and can bring up a hat-trick in the Coral Get Closer To The Action Novices' Hurdle, while the Ditcheat handler is also fancied in the Coral Racing Club Handicap Chase with top weight Enrilo.
Skelton knows how to lay one out, too, and West Balboa could land a touch in the Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.
Second to Stage Star in the Grade One Challow Hurdle a little over 12 months ago, a mark of 130 really catches the eye in a typically trappy event.
A lack of fitness told for the seven-year-old on testing ground in her Sandown return, but granted a lesser emphasis on stamina at this venue and the very few miles on her clock, it is easy to envisage plenty of improvement being found.
Skelton could also be on the scoresheet at Wetherby, too, where easy Uttoxeter scorer Hitching Jacking can add to his tally in the Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Hurdle under a penalty.
For all his win last time out was impressive, with some handy horses amongst the beaten horses, it is his close-up second to Moon Hunter before that which gives the most substance to his form considering Henry Daly's charge beat a handy field at Doncaster next time out and is now set to compete at Graded level.
SELECTIONS:
CHELMSFORD: 5.30 All Aboard, 6.00 Silky Smooth, 6.30 Mawkeb, 7.00 Soaring Eagle, 7.30 Dance Angel, 8.00 Lady Loulou, 8.30 Star Of St Louis.
FAIRYHOUSE: 12.27 Nusret, 1.02 Bellatior, 1.37 Corbetts Cross, 2.12 Big Debates, 2.47 Flame Bearer, 3.22 Jack In The Box, 3.57 Westport Cove.
KEMPTON: 12.20 Arclight, 12.55 Makin'yourmindup, 1.30 Enrilo, 2.05 Pic D'Orhy, 2.40 West Balboa, 3.15 Quick Draw, 3.50 Kaleb.
LINGFIELD: 12.05 Mohatu, 12.35 Recuerdame, 1.10 Star Guest, 1.45 Tyger Bay, 2.20 Arpina, 2.55 Hot Hot Hot, 3.30 Luxy Lou.
WARWICK: 12.40 Non Stop, 1.15 Haddex Des Obeaux, 1.50 Galia Des Liteaux, 2.25 GIVEGA (NAP), 3.00 Nestor Park, 3.35 Glimpse Of Gala, 4.10 Rascal.
WETHERBY: 12.12 Ballybeg Boss, 12.47 Hitching Jacking, 1.22 Cornerstone Lad, 1.57 Hoganville, 2.32 Foster'sisland, 3.07 East Street, 3.42 Hierachy.
DOUBLE: Givega and Nestor Park.
