*NOTE: After this article was written, it was confirmed that the race meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday has been called off due to a waterlogged track.
I’ve done a lot of running this week with no racing since Saturday, which has been largely very frustrating. I’ve missed around 25 rides, including quite a few favourites, but there’s little we can do and at least everyone’s in the same boat.
Waiting Patiently finished 3rd in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase last Saturday – I was a bit deflated as I thought he’d put up a better performance. I felt he was flat out everywhere, the ground was plenty quick enough and ultimately, he just wasn’t good enough on the day.
I’m heading to Cheltenham tomorrow and have three rides…
Saturday 30th January – Cheltenham
1.50pm – Kauto Riko
The ground won’t be any issue to him and quietly I think he’ll have a little squeak. I’ve ridden this horse for Tom Gretton plenty of times before and have won four races on him. Some of his form is quite good; he finished 4th to Coole Cody in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham’s November meeting, his first run of the season, and was only beaten 5 ½ lengths with a big field. He runs off the same mark again tomorrow and has often improved for his first run. He also runs best when held up so fewer runners should suit him better.
I am very much hoping Cheltenham is on and if it is, you’d like to think he’s got a nice racing weight at 10st 13lbs and has every chance.
2.25pm – Lake View Lad
He beat Santini at Aintree to win the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase, which meant this race was the obvious target. He took a good blow that day and made a bad mistake, so will have improved plenty for the run. He’s only been to Cheltenham once (the Festival) and ran well to finish 3rd behind Beware the Bear in the Handicap off top weight, so the track shouldn’t be an issue. Obviously, he has a penalty for winning his one and only start this season but, having beaten Santini and Native River, I think he’s a big price for his form and has every chance.
4.10pm – Song Of The Hunter
This is his first run for Johnny Farrelly. He won a Maiden Hurdle last March, beating a horse of Harry Fry’s that has won since, and was in front when falling at Hereford two starts ago. I think he’s fairly unexposed and runs off a low weight on testing ground so you’d hope he’d have some sort of chance again.