I didn't really address it that much but this meeting last year was dominated by the champion trainer Paul Nicholls and his jockey Harry Cobden who's destined for a champion jockeys' title before long.
On day two they had four winners from the seven races, and judging on the quality of some of the horses they have out this time around, it's possible we could see a repeat.
Don't worry though, I can promise you two things in this piece, they'll be no more Welsh lessons and all my selections won't revolve around the two mentioned above so, let's get into the racing again.
Race one is a class four Juvenile Hurdle which was won by Hell Red for Cobden and Nicholls last time this race was ran in 2020.
They saddle the short priced favourite here in Magistrato and this is where research into these newcomers can be very useful.
His sire Kapgarde was responsible for producing none other than the two-time King George winner Clan Des Obeaux and having relations almost mean your going to have to win a big race at some point.
We're a long way from any of that yet though, and he'll take the beating here that's for sure but I've also had a look at the Skelton runner Rocky Man, and he has impressive pedigree as well.
His sire is Doctor Dino who was a flat horse who won plenty of prize money in his time, and he also sired La Bague Au Roi who was brilliant over three mile, and Sceau Royal who loves anything over a two mile trip.
With that pedigree it makes this clash more interesting, and I've said all along it looks as though a lot of the Skelton horses will come on better for the run but I can't start the day suggesting a short priced favourite so, if this horse is available at an each-way price he'll be my pick.
The second race is a class two Handicap Hurdle, and I can't wait to see Allmankind back again.
He's a horse who is very hard not to love because he always wears his heart on his sleeve and gives everything in every run with his front running tactics, and even though he comes here for a prep run ahead of the Old Roan at Aintree, you can't ignore him.
Flic Ou Voyou won here last year and the 12lbs he gets from Allmankind makes him very competitive indeed and if Valentino Dancer gets luckier than he has done on some of his recent outings, then he could also be involved in the finish.
I'll be disappointed if at least one of them three isn't involved in the finish and it might just be a run that is used to set him up for the season but who cares, he's shown he can be classy and he'll handle the track so I'm sticking with Allmankind with Flic Ou Voyou to chase him home.
Race three is the Native River Handicap Chase and this is a very open contest.
Real Steel won two grade two's for Willie Mullins over in Ireland and is the class horse in the race, even though some of his runs last season suggested that this could well be his level now.
Mister Malarky has ran well fresh before, and is a live contender from top weight that's for sure, and The Mighty Don won here over course and distance in 2020 and offers a great value for money at an each-way price.
I'll go with Mister Malarky though, assuming Real Steel will continue where he left off last season in miserable form and I think he's the only one who could be capable to pick up the pieces so.
Into race four now and we have an intriguing Novices' Chase to breakdown.
Fidelio Vallis has been good over fences but could quite possibly need the run, Presentandcounting has also been good through the summer, and despite being lucky last time, could still have this race well within his reach.
Tea Clipper is interesting now tackling the larger obstacles but I can't suggest him with any confidence because I haven't seen him jump a fence before so, I'll just be watching with a close eye instead.
My pick is Captain Tom Cat though, who has been really good this summer, and would've gone close to winning the big one at Market Rasen if he hadn't of lost a shoe, and I think there's still plenty more to come from this one yet
The fifth race is the grade three Silver Trophy and with previous winning trainers in Tom Lacey and Dan Skelton saddling horses in the race again, it's a tricky one to go through.
Proschema has been good for the Skeltons through the summer, and won off a mark of 140 at Aintree, his mark of 142 does demand a little more but he's starting to show that he is capable of something like this, and has a live chance.
Glory and Honour is Tom Lacey's runner, and he was last seen at Newton Abbot finding very little at the finish.
His trainer is the reason why he is dangerous here for though, and the horse is only five still and could well be open to further improvement.
Hooper and Amore Du Nuit both are available at an each-way price and are sure to run well, with the latter finishing 2nd behind the horse who finished 2nd in this race last year at Newbury later on in the season.
It's open, and if you like the look of one, go with that because you'll regret it if you take any my advice and ignore your own!
Races six and seven are far more easier, Grand Sancy should win the sixth with Paint The Dream tipped to finish behind him once more with Not That Fuisse having a good record fresh which should see him get involved in the mix as well.
The seventh should go to Timeforatune for Nicholls and Cobden, but keep an eye on Tizzard's runner West Orchard and Tim Vaughan's Airtothethrone who could be anything as of yet.
So there you go, another preview done, good luck as always make sure you more importantly enjoy some of the quality racing returning to our screens this weekend, with the Ballymore Hurdle third Bravemansgame lined up for a chase debut at Newton Abbot on Sunday, in what could be unmissable.
Comments