Arise Sir Jimmy
Sir Jimmy Shand was a well above-average bumper performer last term and appeals as the sort to take high rank among the current crop of novice hurdlers.
Nicky Henderson has a talented team at his disposal and, as this lightly-raced and imposing five-year-old would probably be one of his more exciting prospects, it will be disappointing if he cannot score in the E B F Daily Mail “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle at Folkestone tomorrow.
The Accordion gelding served notice of his talents when hosing up on debut in a run-of-the-mill Ludlow event in January before going on to enjoy further success at a similar level in a 17-runner Huntingdon affair.
His unbeaten record went up in smoke at Aintree in April, when he was thrown in at the deep end against the best of his generation in the National meeting’s Champion Bumper.
On the face of it, that high-profile eclipse would suggest Sir Jimmy Shand will struggle to hold is own against the elite but the run looked too bad to be true and he should perhaps be forgiven one disappointment.
An extended two miles and one furlong ought to be ideal at this stage of his career and he is expected to put these rivals to the sword before stepping up in grade once again. Venetia Williams has shown signs of a revival in recent weeks and Jimmy Tennis, good enough to run in the Racing Post Chase two years ago, should be up to taking the Daily Mail Handicap Chase if fit enough.
He has been off the track for a year but he has loads more ability than any of his rivals.
Williams is a dab hand at looking after fragile sorts, as her handling of Teeton Mill proved, and for her to persevere with this one he must still have a modicum of ability.
He is still only nine and he has not got many miles on the clock.
Champagne Shadow could be the toast of Wolverhampton punters as Kevin Ryan’s charge looks the best bet on the card in the Ringside Suite 700 Theatre Style Conference Handicap.
The Kahyasi gelding has been operating at a fairly lowly level but has won two of his last five races and seems sure to be suited by this two-mile trip after finishing to good effect over shorter last time.
All-weather action is also staged at Kempton, where Fun Time should go close in the Lay Back And Relax With iBetX.com Banded Stakes.
