Equinties - Nicholls yard day

February 28, 2023

Equinties

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Only tomorrow, the start of March, is when I'll feel comfortable talking about Cheltenham.

Let's dive in.

Headline roundup

RIP Jim Lewis  

The racing world woke up to the sad news yesterday that prominent owner Jim Lewis, a man who had seen his silks carried to three Gold Cup successes thanks to BEST MATE, had died at the age of 88. 

THAT leap at the second last fence in 2004, the injection of pace in 2003, and “Best Mate, THREE GOLD CUPS” are iconic moments associated with this legendary horse and silks, so it truly is a sad moment to see Jim Lewis pass away. 

Please, if you have the time, watched the video attached in the above tweet. Racing heritage. 

We at BGP send our thoughts to Jim’s family and friends. 

Nicholls press day 

It was one of the final stable press days yesterday as champion trainer Paul Nicholls opened his Ditcheat doors to the finest press talent the UK has to offer. 

As usual, he went through his stable stars for the big Grade 1s, and also revealed some of his better chances in the lower Graded events. 

The general gist is that he thinks BMG is a right one for the Gold Cup and at the same time admitted he is constantly learning how to train a horse.

Big Paul hopes SECRET INVESTOR will run well in the Hunters’ Chase due to his back class, and STAY AWAY FAY is an each-way bet in the Bartlett. 

The raiders stable

Over the water in Ireland, Cullentra House Stables was raided by the Irish media for Gordon Elliott’s press day. 

For his day, Elliott says Jack Kennedy has a 50/50 chance of making it back for the Festival, he thinks MIGHTY POTTER may be a slightly overlooked one for the Gold Cup (this could shape up into a classic renewal), and his two novice chase hopefuls of MIGHTY POTTER and GERRI COLOMBE will be hard to beat (that’s why they are favourite). 

More:  

Saturday Entries 

Look, apart from the two stories above, not much else happened yesterday, so let’s give you a freshen-up on who has been entered for the weekend. 

ZANZA, PAINT THE DREAM, and WAR LORD remain currently for Newbury’s Greatwood Handicap Chase. 

MCTIGUE, receiving 10lbs in allowances for being a four-year-old, heads the market for the Morebattle at Kelso, a field that includes COLONEL MUSTARD, CORMIER, and TRITONIC. 

And this season’s Hennessy winner, LE MILOS, could make his return to the track in the Listed bet365 Chase against SOUNDS RUSSIAN, GA LAW, and MINELLA DRAMA. 

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Today's best stats

HIWAY ONE O THREE 15.00 is turned out again after only winning Tuesday. Chris Gordon has a 40% sr when running them so quickly.

Evan Williams sends SABBATHICAL 15.15 all the way to Catterick today (lands 1 in 4 when travelling this far) for a race type yard have a 50% sr in.

Risk On

A bad days racing today with no A* set ups. There was a lot of noise around local trainer Scott Dixon's ROSE KING lto (I was there). He's the best horse by far in the 17.30 but the pen is a big issue against the second fave filly carrying a stone less, hence the generous pricing of 2/1 93's last night). I wouldn't be surprised to see him go in again tbh.