Chemoulin can strike for in-form Longsdon at Market Rasen
Charlie Longsdon has made a good start to November and it will be interesting to see how his Chemoulin fares on his chasing debut at Market Rasen on Thursday.
After a couple of ordinary runs on his first two starts over hurdles, the six-year-old made it third time lucky at good style at Haydock in early March, earning him what looked like a workable handicap rating of 109.
He was ultimately a bit disappointing when only fourth as favourite for his handicap debut at Newcastle, but with his yard in excellent form it would be no surprise to see him fair much better off the same mark in the Melton Mowbray Market Novices’ Handicap Chase.
It is not to difficult to make a strong case for Northern Olympian adding to Dan and Harry Skelton’s respective tallies in the Tractor Drivers Go Free Today! Maiden Hurdle.
A multiple winner on the Flat at Germany, the five-year-old was a big price given his connections on his stable debut at Worcester, but outperformed odds of 18-1 in finishing third.
He was plenty keen enough that day, but given it was his first competitive outing for a year hopefully it will have taken the fizz out of him and barring bumper winner Ballydine Boy, he does not appear to have a huge amount to beat at the second attempt over obstacles.
Neil Mulholland is another trainer who has his string firing on all cylinders and he will have high hopes for Tilehurst in the Market Rasen Handicap Hurdle.
A bumper winner at the Lincolnshire circuit a couple of years ago for Henry Daly, he registered his first success since over hurdles at Worcester during the summer.
He has come up a bit short the last twice, but he has been dropped 1lb and he will not lack for assistance from the saddle with Sean Bowen on his back.
Koala Rose makes her debut for the Skeltons at Hereford in the opening Copybet Back Again At Hereford Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle.
The daughter of Australia was nought from six on the level for Ralph Beckett, but was placed every time and achieved a fair rating of 77 in the process.
She faces a course and distance winner on her hurdling bow in Echo Valley, but she was fairly ordinary on the Flat and might struggle to give 7lb and a beating to Koala Rose if the latter can take to this new discipline.
A step back up in trip could do the trick for Oneinthewell, who carries top-weight in the Copybet Bog Now For Cheltenham Tomorrow Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
James Owen’s charge is a fairly consistent performer who was last seen placing third over two and a half miles at Worcester, beaten 10 lengths after having to swerve to avoid a faller at the final flight.
He would have finished a bit closer but for that and is likely to be seen to better effect as he returns to a trip beyond three miles for the first time since February.
SELECTIONS:
HEREFORD: 12.30 Koala Rose, 1.05 Jaunty Trooper, 1.40 Windsor Blue, 2.15 Oneinthewell, 2.50 Gaelic Saint, 3.25 Flora Hobbs.
MARKET RASEN: 12.06 Northern Olympian, 12.41 Eastern Rock, 1.16 CHEMOULIN (NAP), 1.51 Bongo Man, 2.26 This Sway, 3.01 Briery Butterfly, 3.36 Tilehurst.
THURLES: 11.43 Might Be The One, 12.18 Potters Pal, 12.53 Grange Walk, 1.28 Doctor Elvis, 2.03 Gunnery Sergeant, 2.38 Tutu Twist, 3.15 Jaadil, 3.48 Bowgate Street.
DOUBLE: Chemoulin and Northern Olympian.