Equinties - clash up in the air

Gm Equinauts

This

is

depressing!

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

EL FABIOL-OH

National Hunt Racing could be in for a tough time this week with frost and cold weather sweeping the land. 

Ascot’s Clarence House Chase card on Saturday could be in doubt, and at one stage yesterday it looked as if EL FABIOLO wouldn’t even be making the trip over to Berkshire as the exchanges were telling a story. 

Market moves aside, Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, confirmed late on Tuesday that the plans for EL FABIOLO are unchanged. 

The Arkle winner is still trading as a general 2.3 chance on the Betfair Exchange for the Clarence House Chase, so it seems as if his appearance in Ascot is solely dependent on whether the race will go ahead or not. With the day in doubt, he did get cut into 2/1 on for the Dublin Chase at the DRF so bookies are not taking any chances at all.

Furthermore, connections have confirmed that if the race is rescheduled for Cheltenham on Trials Day, he won’t be making the journey over. 

AWAY TO CHELTENHAM

Many moons ago (last month) we suggested the crazy idea that APPLE AWAY could be a National Hunt Chase horse. Here, just to prove it:

Following her effort at Warwick on Saturday, connections are weighing up her options at the Cheltenham Festival as “Peter Scudamore is headed for every other race at Cheltenham apart from the Brown Advisory” whereas trainer Lucinda Russell “is still very much headed for the Brown Advisory”, Old Gold Racing CEO Ed Seyfried told Racing TV.

He continued: “He [Scudamore] is also thinking about maybe the Mares’ Chase and even the three-mile-six amateur novice, so there will be massive discussions at Arlary.” 

APPLE AWAY getting into a rhythm from the front at Cheltenham could be some sight!

THE PRINCESS IS BACK

Turning attention away from the jumps, everyone’s favourite HIGHFIELD PRINCESS will stay in training in ‘24, trainer John Quinn confirmed yesterday!  

The seven-year-old is by NIGHT OF THUNDER and would likely be a hot property to be covered if she headed for a second career as a broodmare. 

However, her retained enthusiasm on the track in 2023 is the reason behind the decision to keep her in training, as Quinn said: “She had one disappointing run in the Curragh when she slipped, apart from that she was second in the Duke of York, placed twice at Royal Ascot, fantastic at Glorious Goodwood, second in the Nunthorpe and put up a tremendous performance in the Abbaye. “She's having a break now and will be back in (training) on Feb. 1. I think she'll kick off in the Duke of York again. It might be cold and snowy this morning, but it will soon come round, and then we'll aim for Royal Ascot.”

YOUNG BLOOD

Only Southwell on today and no bumper, so like we did yesterday, we’ll supplement this section with a maiden at Kempton.

18.30 KEMPTON

GAIDEN is a good MEHMAS filly for Hannon and heads the market here at a short even money. We’re surprised she hasn’t won yet but this race looks one of the toughest for her yet.

SUPERB FORCE for Balding is by NIGHT OF THUNDER. An expensive recruit, a half to good horses like EL BODEGON. Might need a trip but the Kempton straight always feel like longer.

AIDAN ANDABETTIN is getting backed. By rocket sire BLUE POINT who seems to be upgrading his mares. Likely type given sire.

INNS OF COURT is the opposite to BLUE POINT - a very slow start to life as a stallion. He sires SECRET ATTACK for Boughey. There has to be a reason Amo bought this one so not going to discount too readily.

QUEEN JEAN is a KINGMAN filly for Beckett. She’ll need handicapping and will probably be sold.

The others are for handicaps too.

Verdict: All the money is for the Richard Spencer’s BLUE POINT, AIDAN ANDABETTIN, but we’re going to side with Balding’s SUPERB FORCE who has the best pedigree.

RISK ON

DERCOL is out of the tracker, he was useless yesterday but we saw something potentially quite smart in Johnston’s SINDORIYNO. A good win for the newsletter.

We’re still looking for a bet. If there is one, we’ll post it to X @equinties.

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