Salsify is firmly in the hunt

UP THE ANTE:

NEWS that several of Paul Nicholls’ horses are coughing has prompted bookmakers to extend the odds about some of his stable stars for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

And while it is too early to press the panic button, I would certainly be a little worried had I already lumped on one of the Ditcheat maestro's hotpots.

The likes of Big Buck’s and Kauto Star will have been heavily backed ante-post and, despite the excellent Nicholls’ assurances that all should be well, I am glad my cash is not on either horse.

This column usually focuses on a single race at the Festival, but this week readers will receive three selections for the price of one!

The first advice is in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle for which Irish hope Boston Bob is the 5-1 favourite.

However, Lucinda Russell’s Brindisi Breeze was tremendously impressive at Haydock on Saturday and I have no hesitation in recommending him at 12-1.

As I wrote on Monday, had this horse been trained by one of the big boys, it would be half the price.

My attention has been directed this week at the chance of Salsify in the Foxhunters’ Chase.

Now I must admit that Irish hunter chasers are not my forte, but racing websites offer the chance to view racehorses’ recent displays and the one Salsify put up on his last outing was tremendous.

He jumped well – and particularly so when asked for a long leap down the back straight – and quickened up smartly.

This horse has three wins from as many runs on the good ground he is likely to get at Cheltenham and fits my profile for this race of younger horses tackling ex-handicappers. Get on at 12-1 because Irish punters are likely to be backing him soon.

Finally, a contact of mine alerted me to the chance of New Year’s Eve in the Festival Bumper before he sluiced in at Market Rasen on Sunday.

Trainer John Ferguson confirmed New Year’s Eve is being aimed at Cheltenham and his optimism for the horse is infectious. Another available at 12-1, he appeals as much as anything at this stage.



RECOMMENDATIONS: Brindisi Breeze, Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, 12-1 (general); Salsify, Foxhunters Chase, 12-1 (general); New Year’s Eve, Festival Bumper, 12-1 (general).



ALREADY ADVISED: Medermit, Ryanair Chase, 16-1 (now 8-1); Our Father (Pertemps Hurdle, 12-1 (7-1); Grumeti, Triumph Hurdle, 10-1 (10-1); First Lieutenant, RSA Chase, 8-1 (8-1).