Lion Turns Becher Blak And John Sets His Sights On Gold
Its Twiston Again As Blaklion Bags Becher
The runaway train that is the Nigel Twiston-Davies big race bandwagon continued to roll on this weekend with yet another Saturday success. Having run Bristol De Mai so close on his most recent start, Blaklion did have the look of one who may be pretty well in on the handicap, and so it proved.
Jumping brilliantly throughout, the eight year old made light of his small stature to put his rivals to the sword over the formidable Grand National obstacles. Fourth in the National itself last season, that contest is his big target once again. Betfair now make him the clear 12/1 market leader for the April bonanza on the back of this nine length success.
Nicholls Log’s another Tingle Success
Saturday’s second major contest came with the 2017 edition of the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Often one of the key pointers to Champion Chase glory, the race was robbed of a little of its sparkle by the late defection of the superstar Douvan. Following that withdrawal it was the Colin Tizzard runner Fox Norton who was sent off the odds on favourite following a sparkling start to the campaign.
He could manage only second though as this race ultimately went the same way it has on so many occasions in recent years. Successful nine times since 1999, multiple Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls made it a magnificent ten as his rapidly improving Politologue saw off all-comers. Coral were suitably impressed going 6/1 from 14/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Highland Heroic In Sha Tin Swan Song
This weekend also gave us the opportunity to bid farewell to one of the most successful flat horses of the past decade. Aidan O’Brien’s admirable and talented globetrotter, Highland Reel, will now head to the breeding shed and a well-earned retirement from the track following the final run of his career in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Fittingly for a horse who has won more prize money than any European trained runner in history, this mighty son of Galileo went out with a bang. In reversing Breeders Cup form with Talismanic and running out a 1¾l winner here, Highland Reel was recording the seventh Group 1 triumph of his career and fully deserves his place alongside the Ballydoyle legends of years gone by.
John Still Measures Up For Jessica
The cold snap may have put paid to the British racing on Sunday, with Huntingdon’s Peterborough Chase card being the most notable victim, but we still had plenty of action over in Ireland. Willie Mullins Un De Sceaux showed he remains in fine fettle when blowing his rivals away from the front at Cork, but the main story of the day came with the return of the current Gold Cup king at Punchestown.
Sizing John did give backers a scare when getting the second flight all wrong, but quickly recovered and the writing was soon on the wall for his rivals. Travelling ominously well into the straight, the seven year old pulled right away for a seven length success come the line. The King George may be next on the agenda, making him their 4/1 favourite for that contest, whilst he is now in to 6/1 to successfully defend his Gold Cup title.
Cheltenham’s Back
Looking ahead to next weekend and we have a fantastic Cheltenham two day meeting to look forward to starting on Friday. Saturday’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup provides the headline act, with Clan Des Obeaux, Starchitect, Le Prezien and Splash Of Ginge amongst the in-form handicappers set to do battle. With the Grade 2 International Hurdle also on the menu, we have another Saturday to savour on the racing front. And it’s not too long before the Cheltenham Festival itself… we’ve started the countdown already!
