Juliette's Weekly Frolic
It is somewhat unorthodox, not to say embarrassing, when a racing correspondent of my age and experience arrives at Cheltenham without a selection to her name. That, however, was the situation once Canasta Lad had defected from the Champion Hurdle and any hopes I might have entertained of emulating 1972's Festival feats appeared well and truly shattered. Still, life — especially where racing's concerned — is full of surprises and few have been more unexpected or timely than the sight of one of those long-forgotten horses-to-follow, The Chisler, battling on to victory in Tuesday's National Hunt 'Chase — though I fear my colleague Will Waspe, with a substantial interest in the vanquished Ashville, did not share my enthusiasm.
A glimpse of a future champion in Lanzarote, two competitive events for gentlemen riders and a balmy Saturday afternoon, enabled Kempton to more than hold her own against the Cheltenham circus and though this coming weekend's four meetings can boast no world beaters, there should be few complaints at the size of the fields. Joe Corals offer the top prize of g2,000 for the second running of their Newcastle 'chase and here Clear Cut will be out to defy a 12 stoneplus burden -for the fourth time
this season. However, he has some tough nuts to crack fur ther down the handicap in the shape of sole southern challenger Vulgan Town, Ran Barry's ride Knock Twice, and Ken Oliver's Recast. The last-named narrowly failed to give weight to Red Sweeney and Proud King in a blanket finish at Teesside, and may be good enough this time.
Certainties and handicap hurdles make unhappy bedfellows but whichever way you look at it Nantar appears home and dry for Chepstow's Gardner Steel race this Saturday, and not just because he happens to be trained by Fred Winter. Brought down by Jabeg at Kempton, he had earlier trounced Harbour Bar and gets in here with only lOst 91b.
Foxtor, Manicou Bay and Money Market are all weighted on identical terms in three-mile chases at Lingfield on both Friday and Saturday. The lastnamed who has a third choice of engagement at Uttoxeter, got rid of his jockey in Haydock's Greenall Whitley but had earlier scored in three out of four attempts and seems worth support wherever he chooses to show up.
Assets: £79.08 (Five to follow, assets: £16.52). Outlay: £3 to win Recast, Money Market and Nantar.
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