Another busy weekend in front of us on the racing front firstly we have a look across the water at the Newbury card Saturday with the highlight been the Ladbroke trophy chase were Willie Mullins has the favourite Total Recall he might be well in but not one for me i like Singlefarmpayment running of the same mark who has a run in him already and is a solid EW selection, the exciting Charli Parcs also makes he’s reapperance on the card. The Fightening Fifth Hurdle takes place in Newcastle and it’s non competitive with Buveur Dair a 1/4 shot also on the Newcastle card it’s good to see they have a race called after The French Furze he was some character. The Irish racing is the 2 day winter festival at Fairyhouse with Sunday been a top days racing Saturday has the Easyfix handicap chase where JP has four in it maybe with an eye to christmas so it might be better to follow the money if you see one been backed, I like Benkei in the handicap hurdle with the very impressive Rachael Blackmore on board who gave Dawn Shadow a super ride in Thurles on Thursday teaming up the legend that is Harry Rogers. Sunday we start off with novice hurdle which looks a hot race where Gordan has three including Mengli Khan as favourite one to watch for me the Hattons Grace were at the time of writing Nichlos Canyon is the jolly i’d be in the Apples Jade camp getting the mares allowance and having had a run the Drinmore novice chase Death Duty is a 8/13 shot not one for me at those prices and in the two ultra competitve handicap chase and hurdle have the record button pressed because come christmas lots of winners will come from both.
Bets: Singlefarmpayment EW 7/1, Benkei EW, Apples Jade 7/4 WIN.
Verdict: One man stole the headlines this weekend and it was of course Gordan Elliott with his 3 grade one victories with the highlight been our main tip Apples Jade doing the business our other tips Singlefarmpayment was getting into the race when he fell but looked well held by the first two Benkei finished fifth was good to see Rachael Blackmore get into the winners with the tricky but talented Davids Charm in the big Handicap Hurdle for JJ Walsh, Matt Chapman interview with Michael O Leary was gold a must watch if you haven’t seen it. What about Discorama winning the maiden on Saturday at 66/1!!!