Wednesday, November 11, 2009

N.H. racing at Bangor and Warwick

More fairly low-level jumps racing today, but the graduation chase at 14.40 CET at Bangor could be quite informative, even though there are only 4 runners. Free World (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), whose team is now coming into top form (3 winners yesterday) is the likely favourite, but this race will be no pushover and the two German-breds Moon over Miami (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) and Irish-trained Schelm (Ronnie O´Leary/ David Casey) both look very dangerous.The 3 miles handicap chase at 15.10 here looks very open, and is difficult to assess as most of the runners are coming off a break. Top-weight Skippers Brig (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) is a tentative suggestion. The best race at Warwick is the novice chase for 4yo´s at 15.20, again with a small field. Paul Nicholls also has the likely favourite here with Recif de Thaix (Christian Williams), a bumper winner at Sandown in February, who is going chasing straight away without a run over hurdles. Rory Boy and Agglestone Rock are both penalised for winning recently, but we rather fancy the chances of Nicky Henderson´s filly Miss Sarenne (Felix de Giles), who is getting weight all round.