Equinties - Ryanair plane

February 20, 2023

Equinties

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Gm Equinauts

He’s BACK, and oh does he look good. 

Let’s dive in.

Headline roundup

ShishkIN full contention for Ryanair

SHISHKIN put his Tingle Creek and Champion Chase disappointment behind him on Saturday as he bounced back to bolt up in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase by 16 lengths. 

The nine-year-old beat PIC D’ORHY by 16 lengths and FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES by 23 lengths to run to an RPR of 178 – the beast is now an evens money shot for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. 

It seems like it is all systems go ahead of March, and the word is that Shishkin was all okay yesterday morning at Seven Barrows after his run, so we could be set for a great race, something Twitter is looking forward to, though there was a bit of disagreement between the Racing higher-ups! 

Hendo’s Festival squad is getting stronger and stronger and boy can’t we wait to see this lad back out.

He Likes To Win, and win well 

I LIKE TO MOVE IT moved very fast Saturday as the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trainer hurdler bolted up in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday. 

Interestingly, coming into the race, Twiston-Davies thought the track may not suit him, however, his own queries were put to one side as the six-year-old beat KNAPPERS HILL by 17 lengths. 

I LIKE TO MOVE IT is now a general 33/1 shot for the Champion Hurdle in March and he should have genuine claims to run on into a place, though CONSTITUTION HILL absolutely no one is going to be a match for CONSTITUTION HILL… obvs.

More:

Wincanton: 'We can't back away from Constitution Hill' - I Like To Move It camp up for Champion Hurdle

Do not let connections of I Like To Move It, who bolted up in the Kingwell, hear the Champion Hurdle trophy is all wrapped up and destined for Nicky... Read More

Grand National Trials 

And finally, we had two Grand National Trials this weekend in both Britain and Ireland. 

Starting with QUICK WAVE, the winner of the Grand National Trial at Haydock on Saturday for Venetia Williams and the mustard man Harry Bannister on his comeback tour from a long lay-off due to injury. 

Off a mark of 148, the 10-year-old mare might find it difficult for the big event in Aintree when she is surely put up a few pounds, but connections will be happy with the extra £56,000 in their back pocket. 

And over the Irish Sea, it was Gordon Elliott dominance in the big race at Punchestown as he trained the first three home in the Irish Grand National, though it was the COKO BEACH who lead the pack across the line. 

Again, he won the race off 146, so he will be put up for the run – 7lbs for the win, plus the Irish tax, if he was to come over to Aintree, would probably see him too high in the handicap, however, a spin at the main Irish Grand National could be one for him instead. 

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Stats

Not many qualifiers today.

McCain is 2 from 3 in the 13.15 and sends the good flat horse WHITEHAVEN to go for the hat trick. Similarly, Dixon is going for a hat trick in the 15.50 with CAPTAIN ZEBO.

BLACKCURRENT 20.00 is 5 from 12 at Newcastle and only won there last Tuesday. Quick turnaround, yard land 1 in 3 when running them again this quickly.

Risk on

Bad racing today but there’s two horses worthy of a small size play at ew prices.

14.00 VIA DANTE

Stinks up 7. Out of dam who’s a half sis to yards Kim Muir winner so well related and step up in trip will most defo be a positive if trying. Small play at 12’s.

16.10 SHERBORNE

Yard fancied this lad on penultimate race at Chepstow. Fences clearly a problem so Joe going back to hurdles… and back to the scene of his last win. Small ew at 15/2. If he runs like shit I’ll stop following this horse.