Make Mine A Double!

The big races just keep coming in the National Hunt world at present. Last weekend threw up a surprise that wasn't really a surprise when Kingscliff took the Lancashire Chase and in turn set up a tilt at a #1 million bonus should he take the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Robert Alner trained gelding has been there or thereabouts in a number of high profile races and he finally led them home with an impressive win. Kicking King will have disappointed a lot of punters but Tom Taffe put his poor run down to a problem with one of his shoes, which came loose and hurt the Gold Cup winner. Beef Or Salmon looked in good shape when staying on in second and could still be a candidate for some prizes despite his advancing years.

This weekend offers some truly top class racing. The highlight of the weekend is undoubtedly the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. It's shaping up to be extremely competitive and open race with a number of high class chasers pencilled in to take their chance. The shadow of Best Mate still hangs over the National Hunt world and a lot of attention will be on Cornish Rebel, a full brother to Matey. The confirmation that Ruby Walsh is set to take the ride will almost certainly see a big increase in support for the Paul Nicholls trained 8 year old. While unquestionably talented, Cornish Rebel can be a frustrating character who isn't always as helpful as he might be. Last season's Royal And SunAlliance Chase winner, Trabolgan has been the one attracting the support during the week. Nicky Henderson trains this 7 year old has some good form in the book but could be vulnerable considering it is his 1st run since back in March. Of late, it has proved profitable to follow Martin Pipe's runners and he has four of his string entered in the race. Comply Or Die looks to be the main contender he will send to the race and is well worth supporting but should any of Our Vic, Celestial Gold or Iris Bleu go to post, they will also be worth considering. Further down the field, Red Devil Robert, King Harald and Redemption should be involved at the business end of the race as the low weights that they are set to carry will be appreciated in what is likely to be testing ground. Redemption is particularly interesting considering how well he was travelling behind Our Vic in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before falling at the 2nd last fence. At a bigger price, keep an eye on St. Matthew, an impressive winner over hurdles last weekend and should he transfer this form to over the fences he could represent good each way value.

The appetiser to this tasty looking contest is the Ballymore Properties Long Distance Hurdle. This one looks set to be a rematch between the 1st and 2nd home in last season's World Hurdle at Cheltenham. Inglis Drever gave Baracouda a comprehensive three-length beating that day but it would be foolish to rule out the Francois Doumen trained 10 year old. Incredibly, Baracouda has never finished outside of the top two in all of his twenty-four career starts to date, winning eighteen of them. Should eight or more winners go to post, look out for the likes of Crystal D?Ainay or Westender who are more than likely running for a place and could be good value to do it.

Up in Newcastle there is another hurdle race that looks like being a mouth-watering contest. Harchibald showed his Champion Hurdle credentials in last years version of this race and there are a number of quality hurdlers that will be looking to do the same in this year's renewal. It's an extremely competitive contest to try and call but amongst the main contenders will be Admiral, Arcalis, Faasel and Intersky Falcon. Last weekend Admiral made it 4 wins in a row over timber when getting a short head decision over Faasel at Haydock and these two look set for a quick rematch. Added to this mix are Arcalis, the impressive winner of the Supreme Novices Hurdle and Intersky Falcon, Britain's best finisher in the Irish-dominated Champion Hurdle 2005 when trailing home Hardy Eustace in 6th place back in March. Look out for some interesting contests as well at Lingfield, Towcester, Wolverhampton and Gowran Park.

The high standard of racing continues at Haydock on Sunday with the Grade 2 Fulke Walwyn Novices? Chase. A number of promising prospects look set to go to post so predicting a winner is no mean feat. Most of the big stables are represented in this one with Jonjo O'Neill set to send Spirit Of New York and Royal Hector, Paul Nicholls likely to let Cornish Sett and Albuhera take their chances and Martin Pipe having Whispered Secret and Lough Derg entered. Doncaster and Leicester also offer some really intriguing action with a high class novice chase and a novice hurdle respectively.

The racing on the other side of the Irish Sea looks to be just as good. In Navan, the Troytown Handicap Chase will be an exciting contest. Mariah Rollins looks to be the one to beat in this one but with last season's Betfred Gold Cup winner, Jack High in the field, it won't be clear cut. Navan also hosts another top race in the form of the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle. Hurdle races dominate the card down in Wexford on Sunday but that doesn't represent any sort of drop in quality as the races are packed with some really talented runners

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