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Racing A wet weekend of racing

WHEREVER we go for racing this afternoon/evening a brolly and a full length waterproof coat will be needed to keep the elements out, but that will not bother old boy AINTREE MY DREAM in the veterans handicap hurdle at Newbury due off at 1.30.

The now 10-year-old has been running really well over fences this winter, hitting the bar on several occasions, none more so than when losing out by three parts of a length to that good yardstick Mystical Clouds last week. Rated as high as 145 as a novice hurdler, he is set to return to timber here off a rating of just 119 when you factor in his rider’s claim, this looks a very suitable opportunity.

The other plus for the selection is that he will get the fast pace in the race that he needs to bring his stamina into play on ground which will hold no terrors for him.

The big race of the day at the Berkshire track is the Greatwood Gold Cup over two-and-a-half miles at 3.15 and this looks a cracking opening for the bottom-weight ENRICHISSANT to follow up his success at Huntingdon last time out. You could make an argument that he had his own way up front that day, but he jumped like an absolute buck and readily pulled a full 18 lengths clear and more from his rivals at the line. 

The selection has been given a big hike in the weights, but he is firmly on the upgrade and can make the most of the weight he receives from both Clondaw Castle (wouldn’t want it too soft) and the hugely in-form Bennys King.

The Veterans Handicap Chase at 2.05 has a field full of old “friends” running with the top-weight Virgilio set to try and defy 149 so the old boys are still running to a useful level.

The extended three mile and one furlong trip may well be as far as a few of these want to go nowadays, but it will hold no fears for DARK FLAME who should be in his element.

The 11-year-old has run two solid races this term over three miles at Sandown Park and a repeat of his staying on second to Houblon des Obeaux in November would see him go very close to landing the gold medal here at the chief expense of the Nick Williams-trained Le Rocher.

Following a wind operation, I am going to give another chance to the Colin Tizzard-trained FAUSTINOVICK off top-weight in the novices handicap hurdle at 3.50, while the drop back to two-and-a-half miles looks just the job for MASTER TOMMYTUCKER (NAP). He travelled like the wrath of god in the Reynoldstown before weakening badly turning for home and taking a tired fall down the home stretch. He returns to the scene of his emphatic victory earlier on in the season at 4.25. 

Up at Doncaster, the big race of the day is the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase over three-and-a-quarter miles at 3.35 and Definitly Red will carry top weight here before his main assignment of the season in Grand National in five weeks time.

If he wins he will of course not incur a penalty for the big race at Liverpool, but this time around I suspect that Brian Ellison wouldn’t want him to have too hard a race under the burden of 12-7 and the best play here is to oppose him with CESAR ET ROSALIE.

He was still going plenty well enough last time out at Wincanton before departing at the 14th fence in a race won by Worthy Farm and is now a full 12lbs better off at the weights and off his lowly mark here I fancy we will get a huge run from the selection at odds in the region of 25/1.

On the level, PORTO FERRO (nb) has been given a real chance by the handicapper in the opener at Lingfield Park at 1.25 off a lowly mark of 47. In just over 18 months he has dropped from a rating of 75 and can use his blitz finish from a good draw to gun down his rivals in the home stretch.

Later on, ALSVINDER may land the feature sprint at 2.00, while the best bet at Southwell in the evening could come in the form of THE RESDEV WAY in a class four staying handicap at 6.30 after running well in a bumper at Newcastle last week.

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