Yorksea is strongly-fancied by the ‘A-Team’ of Gary Moore for a winnable ten-runner Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle over two miles of ‘good to soft’ Cheltenham today and it will take a good ‘un to topple this Sea The Stars gelding, a winner on the flat for Freddie Head around Angers, France, before being sold for £32000.
Apparently his debut over course and distance four weeks ago represented a lovely surprise for the unsuspecting new owners who know their purchase should improve and grab a decent purse to offset initial liability.
A 33/1 chance and mount of Gary’s experienced son Jamie it was obvious Yorksea had schooled well as the race unfolded with measured leaps which enabled him to take issue approaching the last and finish strongly on the climb, three lengths behind Knight Salute but only a neck off Saint Riquier, creditable second at Warwick two days ago. Form was thus confirmed.
Three penalised winners oppose but similarly-profiled Patient Dream seems the main time-handicap danger judged on an encouraging first-up second to Skycutter around Wetherby; despite obvious claims I’m confident about Yorksea landing the money.
There are also two eight-race all-weather fixtures scheduled for Wolverhampton and Newcastle where Nolton Cross is my banker in a Novice Stakes over the straight Gosforth Park mile, a searching test which should be ideal for this once-raced Hugo Palmer-trained Dark Angel colt judged on his effort at Kempton a month back.
Palmer had two winners last Wednesday but my nap, Aslean Legend, was beaten a short-head after looking a certainty two out. Here’s to the next time!
Nolton Cross, fourth to 1/2 shot Al Nafir, achieved plenty given the he had kicked off from the worst draw; he really could be anything and is drawn best, in one!
Five contest the concluding Fillies’ Novice Stakes over six furlongs including consistent hitherto vexing Whiteandblue, ‘thrown in’ under Gianluca Sanna who rides for trainer Brian Smart and claims 7lbs allowance!
Sanna is proving what I’ve been expecting, very useful and an asset for punters; don’t oppose ‘Blue!’
Keep laying those short-priced Premier League favourites, licence to print money.
Selections, Cheltenham, 12.05 Yorksea (e.w); Newcastle, 4.00 Nolton Cross (e.w); 5.30 Whiteandblue (nap-e.w).
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019