Horse Racing - Four To Watch

Viking Blond Peter Bowen`s Viking Blond took on the Cheltenham Festival`s Pertemps Final back in 2011 as a 138 rated hurdler. He completed the race in a respectable seventh place prior to two Grand National appearances.

The 10-year-old picked up his first victory in nearly three years over 3m at Ffos Las at the tail end of last season when hurdling on heavy ground and has improved enough to see him competitive in Plumpton`s Sussex National at 29f.

This last outing will stand the horse in good stead for tomorrow`s Devon National as will his pair of victories on heavy terrain. Viking Blond also has a good relationship with Exeter having been a victor there back in 2010 and will have Sean Bowen`s weight allowance deducted from his 10st 12lb burden.

The Devon National takes place tomorrow at Exeter at 15:30.

Supreme Asset Supreme Asset is one of two seven-year-olds in the field for the class three Close Brothers Business Finance Handicap Chase and, as a result, is one of the youngest horses set to take part.

The one-time chase winner was unlucky to unseat Sam Twiston-Davies in a 20f chase at Sedborough prior to his placing 12 lengths behind Yes Tom at Ayr on his last outing. Donald McCain`s mount probably should have got closer to the 2/1 favour having been 8lbs lighter though was up against a much more experienced charge.

This second was only Supreme Asset`s third running at 20f but should be in contention at a class level (three) that he is comfortable with. The Beneficial-sired youngster is aiming to get his first win at a distance of over 2m. The official going is soft at Newcastle and this should also be something he is comfortable with with two soft wins and a heavy victory to his name.

The Close Brothers Business Finance Handicap Chase takes place tomorrow at Newcastle at 16:50.

Sonnetation Sonnetation is one of five fillies lining up in the 32red Fillies` Handicap at Lingfield Park on Wednesday, the horse looking to nab a victory following three consecutive runners-up places.

The Mare has consistently picked up places in races of eight and nine lengths though these have been at a decidedly lower class and will need to produce a lifetime`s best form to scalp the remaining four in the field.

But with such strong form on the all-weather, why shouldn`t she? Indeed, Sonnetation is only one of two charges to have been tested at 9f this season and should be all the better for it. William Carson has been the jockey of this horse once previously and guided her to a place finish at this course and distance and will be looking to continue this great relationship.

The 32red Fillies` Handicap takes place on Wednesday at Lingfield at 15:00.

Cash And Go Former Vincent O`Brien competitor Cash And Go may line up at Leicester on Friday for the Queens Royal Lancers Beginners Chase. The former Grade Three placed horse unseated Aidan Coleman on his chasing debut and seasonal opener in a class three at Plumpton (17f) but was unlucky and in with every chance when shipping his jockey.

That race contained two Festival fancies in Traffic Fluide and Seventh Sky, the former getting the better of the latter by sixth lengths, and showing such an ability to tough it with these big boys, if only for a period, shows that he should be more than capable of getting the better of this field in this beginners chase.

Indeed, Venetia Williams` Cash And Go was also very successful at longer distances of 20f and 21f, something that suggests that this 2m distance will be no problem. He is also a two-time hurdles winner on soft ground.

The Queens Royal Lancers Beginners Chase takes place on Friday at Leicester at 14:40.

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02/03/2015     © Frixo 2024