1:50 – Discorama 4/1
3:00 – Ballyandy 9/1 E/W (6 places with Paddy Power and William Hill)
Discorama
This will be a stern test given the rain that’s fallen and one horse we know that relishes a test of stamina is the Irish raider, Discorama.
Placed at in the Martin Pipe, NH Chase and the Ultima in three consecutive seasons, he clearly has a liking for the track and he’ll be fully geared up for this following his 2nd at Galway back in October.
It was also encouraging to see Vinnidication, who was 4th in the Ultima behind Discorama, run well in the Charlie Hall. The front five were clear that day and it looked to be a decent renewal and Discorama was given an awful lot to do that day having been ridden with a great deal of patience by Bryan Cooper.
Paul Nolan has 4 winners from 14 runners at the November meeting (28% S/R, A/E 2.67) while Mrs Milner went extremely close for him on Saturday when finishing 2nd. Robbie Power is riding high after a successful Saturday at Cheltenham and he’s the type of jockey I can see getting a good tune out of Discorama and backing this duo blind would’ve yielded you a small profit over the years.
Ballyandy
Ballyandy is far from the most exciting option in the race, but he looks sure to give his running at a fair price.
A proven graded performer, including a respectable 8th in the Champion Hurdle, albeit that was a below par renewal.
Despite being 9 years old, his seasonal reappearance was superb and it showed he’s no forlorn hope just yet. He finished 2nd the Welsh Champion Hurdle behind Sceau Royal (giving him 4lbs) who went on to frank that form when winning the Elite Hurdle next time out. Mario De Pail (5th) won at Wetherby on Saturday so the form is strong and I suspect the Welsh champion hurdle is one of the best handicap hurdles we’ve seen this season.
The rain will be ideal for him and he’s proven in big fields; he looks primed to run a big race.
After his last run, Nigel Twiston-Davies seemed keen to target graded races on route to the Champion Hurdle so it’s interesting that he’s rerouted him here. I’d take that as a positive sign for his chances.
Edwardstone is the archetypal Greatwood winner but I was concerned with Alan King’s stable tour comments of late, where he indicated that the lack of prep run wasn’t ideal and this race will be used to decide whether they go chasing or stay hurdling. Still, he looks well treated off 142. Recent Cheltenham winner Tegerek completed my short list.
Ballyandy is the class horse in the race and we often see class rise to the fore in handicaps. He looks sure to run another big race.
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