THE Greatwood Hurdle and Jonbon will dominate the paper today – but I want to delve a bit deeper with the tale of two horses.
Wonderwall and City Chief respectively run in Cheltenham’s Cavani Novices’ Handicap Limited Handicap Chase and Jewson Handicap Chase live on ITV.
Why is that remotely interesting you may ask? Well they met at Doncaster in a maiden hurdle back in January 2022, when the then exciting Wonderwall defeated City Chief by three easy lengths.
Since then their careers have gone different ways. Wonderwall hasn’t done much over jumps and is rated 132. City Chief is 10lb higher on 142. It’s odd how things work out.
Wonderwall’s race is such a nightmare to sort out that I’m going to chance he gets his career back on track for James Bowen and Richard Spencer.
The gelding was last seen in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. It’s a huge risk but let’s hope ‘today is gonna be the day that he’s gonna win for you and me’!
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In the City Chief race over over an extended three miles and three furlongs TRUCKERS LODGE is of interest even though he is 11 years old now and clearly not going to be getting any better – indeed he’ll be 12 in just over a month.
He has everything in his favour to run a huge one here for the champion Paul Nicholls and Freddie Gingell, who takes off 5lb.
The old boy loves a slog in the mud and ended last season with a win at Ffos Las off a mark of 132. He’s still well handicapped here on his best form on 137 and should have an each-way chance.
Up in class for the feature Grade 2 Shloer Chase over two miles. If there is a champion in this field there is no doubt for me it’s JONBON and he’s the selection.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, Jonbon was top class last season scoring in Grade 1 company at Aintree and Sandown and suggesting he can mix it with the best this term.
Whether that’s over two miles or two and a half only time will tell, but this should be a good starting point.
As for the Greatwood Hurdle, well Onlymatteroftime could be thrown in for Willie Mullins, but I’m happy to chance last year’s runner-up GIN COCO who is just 2lb higher than when chasing home the late I Like to Move It this time last year.
My selection never got in the hunt when fancied for the County Hurdle in March, but he should be ready for this after a comeback effort at Ffos Las last time.
Good luck!
