Kin to burn off Chepstow rivals
Halcon Genelardais would appear to hold all the aces in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on Wednesday, but Kinburn can give him something to think about.
For although Alan King has long thought of his imposing six-year-old as the ideal type for the slog through, he has been left with a difficult task following the defection of those at the top of the weights.
Carvill’s Hill was the last horse to carry more than 11st to victory in this race in 1991 and he ended up being Gold Cup class, and not even King would confess that Halcon Genelardais is ready to mix it with Kauto Star and the like just yet.
As a result, Howard Johnson’s Kinburn is the one to side with. He has stamina in abundance and is feasibly treated on some of his form.
He chased home Naunton Brook in the Northumberland National at Hexham last month when some sloppy jumping errors probably cost him his chance.
That is a worry, as the Chepstow fences certainly take some jumping, but he is much better off with Naunton Brook and the slower pace should mean he gets more time to organise his fencing.
He is a young horse with untapped potential and will be very difficult to keep out of the frame.
Paradi can continue David Pipe’s fine run of form in the Grade One Coral Future Champion Finale Juvenile Hurdle.
A winner of both his starts on the Flat for Francois Doumen in France, he landed what looked like a decent little event at Leicester on his debut for the Pond House team.
Both Leamington Lad and Marodima have gone close since and this does not look to be a strong race for the money on offer.
Raffaello is the one to be on in the Coral Backing The NSPCC Beginners’ Chase.
Paul Nicholls’ charge only lost to the smart mare Refinement in three starts over hurdles and looks tailor-made for the bigger obstacles.
Nicholls said last year he was only biding his time over hurdles and now is the time to collect.
There will be some long faces if Im Spartacus does not oblige in the Coral Bet By Freephone On 0800 242 232 Novices’ Hurdle.
The former useful Flat performer has now joined man-of-the-moment Evan Williams for a winter campaign and hosed up on his debut over timber. He could be on his way to Cheltenham if he collects again.
Twist Magic looks well treated in the Grade Two Stan James Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
He did not live up to his billing over hurdles but the way he toyed with Royal Shakespeare at Fakenham showed that this is his game.
As that rival ran Briareus to three lengths, he has the look of one of the leading novice chasers seen out this season.
Accordello can follow up a recent Aintree win in the stanscasino.co.uk Mares’ Only Handicap Hurdle.
Keith Reveley’s charge did not live up to expectations on the level but she showed a smart turn of foot to land the odds last time.
Voy Por Ustedes looks unopposable in the Grade Two Desert Orchid Chase but he will have a new partner following Robert Thornton’s injury.
The Arkle winner found Kauto Star too hot to handle in the Tingle Creek but there was no disgrace in that.
Ben Pollock looks to have found the ideal opportunity to allow his improving chaser Launde to bring up a hat-trick in the skybet.com Castleford Handicap Chase at Wetherby.
He has always been touted as a horse of some potential and has two smooth victories to his name this term.
He has been saddled with top weight but it will be a disappointment if he can not collect again.
At Southwell, Michael Chapman’s useful hurdler Orpen Wide should have the class to see off the opposition in the Photo Gifts From Bonusprint.com Handicap.
