Wincanton 04 November 2006
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All eyes will be on KICKS FOR FREE as the Champion Bumper third takes to hurdling for the first time and he shouldn't disappoint. He backed up that Festival effort with another close third in top-class company at Aintree, both his wins came at this venue and his powerful stable is firing on all cylinders at present. Fellow hurdling debutant Presentandcorrect has also shown ability in bumpers and can fight it out for the silver medal with The Big Canadian who will have learnt from his first outing over timber last month.
Bold Fire and REFINEMENT look like the ones to concentrate on here. They established themselves as useful novices last term and are both better than they showed on their respective seasonal reappearances last month. However, Jonjo O'Neill's charge receives the tentative vote having scaled greater heights earlier in the year with a comfortable Listed success over 3m at Aintree in April. She's Our Native was four from six in hurdle events last season and looks best of the remainder back over timber on her return to action.
Some talented sorts here, with top-class novice hurdler Boychuk, a 3-length winner from Bowleaze on his chasing bow, and Jonjo O'Neill's improving unbeaten chaser (three from three) Predator, but TURKO rates the selection. The 4-y-o confirmed expectations that chasing is his game when running out a very impressive winner on his debut over fences at Aintree last month and could take all the beating today in receipt of a huge weight-for-age allowance.
An open event despite the lack of runners. Kaldouas, a 2m4f maiden winner over hurdles, is expected to come in to his own over fences, while Petitjean is another who has the scope to improve as he takes to chasing. A C&D winner in May, Kosmos Bleu is dropping towards a realistic handicap mark again, but preference is for FREE GIFT who was returning from a lengthy absence when just running out of steam late on in a similar event at Huntingdon almost six weeks ago. He will strip fitter today and is only 2lb higher in the weights.
Iris Bleu won last year's renewal of this event and can't be dismissed with any confidence off the same mark, but he has not been out since a disappointing run at Kelso in May and could need the run. LADALKO is also returning to action from a summer break, but he was in top form earlier in the year, finishing a close second in the Scottish Grand National, and looks the one to follow in this stayers' contest. Keltic Bard is another who should give a good account of himself.
Providing DESERT QUEST can cope with a 16lb rise in the handicap he will take all the beating following an impressive victory in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Ascot last weekend. Connections have already stated that he will be aimed at next year's Champion Hurdle and, if those ambitions are in any way realistic, victory today should be a formality. Noble Request is the one who could upset the selection, especially as Tony Dobbin has ignored Faasel in order to ride at Kelso.
The top three on the card are of most appeal here with Lincoln's Inn the only one of them to have already graced a racecourse. Preference, however, is for the well-bred KIA KAHA who's yard boasts an impressive NH Flat record and is currently firing on all cylinders. Market support for Mutual Respect should not be taken lightly and he is selected for the forecast.
