Friday 9 December 2011

9th December - Selection rationale (part 2)

Cheltenham 2:20

This is not a rock solid selection, but at the odds, I think Balthazar King is worth a risk…
He is barely out of the novice stage, so taking on the Cheltenham cross country course could be quite a challenge, However, he is an extremely competent jumper – and he likes to race prominently. I’m therefore hoping that Richard Johnson will grasp the mettle and try and take the race from the front.
I don’t think he will have any issues with the trip – and he should love the ground.
They are unable to water the cross country course at Cheltenham, so the ground will be riding very quick indeed. I think this will be a big negative for ScotsIrish, a horse who loves to get his toe in.
Garde Champetre seems to finally be in decline (if only slowly !) and I can’t get overly excited about Uncle Junior (probably because of his form with Garde Champetre and because jockey bookings suggest he is Willie Mullins second string).
Nothing else really jumps out at me – though good runs from Double Dizzy and even Hennessy (who is a massive price) wouldn’t altogether surprise…

1pt win Balthazar King 14/1

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