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Saturday 28th November

Yesterday saw a cracking renewal of the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. While, Thyme Hill was impressive and I felt at the start of the year he was the main contender for the Stayer's hurdle, Paisley Park put himself firmly on the comeback trail and with Cheltenham playing to his strengths, he will go very close in March. Shiskin was incredibly impressive from a jumping point of view on Monday although he really only beat a conservatively ridden Mick Pastor so there is no substance to the form and the Supreme is yet to be really franked like the other novice hurdles at last year's festival. A cracking weekend ahead once again and the ante-post markets are starting to really take shape. I love this time of year with all the top horses reappearing and plenty to review from a week's action. 

Moving onto today and I just found the Ladbroke Trophy too difficult. Staying handicap chases wouldn't be my strongest area and I tend to avoid unless I think there is something obviously well handicapped. Having gone through the runners, I didn't think there was anything that met enough criteria to suggest as a bet and I would be surprised if anything in the field is good enough to make an impact in Grade 1 contests later in the year. In terms of a selection, one I do like is the Philip Hobbs trained, Zanza, in the final race at Newbury. A winner twice at Newbury over hurdles, Zanza was good enough to finish a close 6th in the Betfair Hurdle off this mark over hurdles and I would be shocked if he isn't a better chaser in time. He has run reasonable in two attempts over fences but did face a stiff task last time in a hot Novice Chase. While admittedly well beaten in second, I thought he ran a race full of promise and Allmankind could go right to the top. At a course he clearly likes and with the stable hitting form, he seems to have a solid chance. 


1pt win Zamza (5/2 General) Newbury 3.35 *use BOG firms

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