Wednesday October 17th

Sundays action at Chepstow, was on a par with Saturdays...

I need to spend some time re-watching the racing from both days, as I'm sure there were a host of future winners on show.

A couple of things that struck me across the 2 days, were that race fitness was a significant benefit.
It was easy to assume that the reappearing 'better' horses would be able to beat those who had been on the go over the summer – but that was not the case in quite a few of the races...

Also, Paul Nichols seems to have his string well forward.

Almost all of his runners performed creditably, with him securing 4 wins...

There are a couple of reasonable mid-week fixtures tomorrow, at Punchestown and Wetherby - and whilst there isn't quite the quality that was on show over the weekend – there are some fair races taking place at both venues...

Punchestown

3:40

This is a fascinating novice chase, in which at least 4 of the 6 runners, can be given a good chance.

Ornua is just about favourite this evening, on the back of his impressive last time out win at Rosscommon.

However, he has to give 16lb (weight for age, plus sex allowance) to the Gordon Elliot trained Mitchouka – and that could prove to be too much.

Mitchouka would have won last time, if she'd not tipped up at the last - and with a clear round tomorrow, will take all the beating.

Winter Escape could be the one she has to beat, on his third run for Aidan Howard.
Formerly trained in the UK, by Alan King, the horse has always had a huge reputation – and his last time out win at Galway, suggested he might be about to fulfil it.

Cadmium is the 4^th one of major interest – and whilst he was beaten last time by Ornua, there should be little between the pair, at tomorrows revised weights.

Selection: Mitchouka at 7/2

4:10

This is the best race of the day – but it's a hard one to call...

Outlander and Road to Respect, are grade 1 performers running in a grade 3 race – but both are making their seasonal debuts and have to give wight to the other runners.

Sub Lieutenant is best in at the weights – and on the back of a win at Galway last time, is probably the one to beat.

That said, he is pretty exposed – and I would slightly prefer Snow Falcon, if that one is allowed to take his chance (the ground may be too quick for him to run).

With all of the uncertainty, it does feel more of a watching race than a betting race – but it should be a good (and informative) watch !

Wetherby

3:45

The high-light of Wetherbys open meeting of the season, is the Bobby Renton chase.

Ballyandy heads the market and this former Betfair hurdle winner, is undeniably well handicapped – if he is at his peak and able to reproduce his hurdles form over fences.

He was a bit disappointing last season, in his first season over the bigger obstacles, so now has something to prove.

He's not an easy one to take on – because of his class – but at price of 5/4, I would be tempted...

Willie Boy is the obvious alternative, on his debut for Charlie Longsdon.

He won a decent race at Newbury on his seasonal debut 12 months ago, when trained by Venetia – and looked destined for high rank.

However, he only ran twice more last season and disappointed on both occasions.
Back tomorrow, for a new trainer – and having had a wind op – I suspect he will be ready to do himself justice.
If Ballyandy isn't at his best, then I think Willie Boy will beat him.

The other 3 runners are all useful – but non have the potential of the 2 market leaders.

Selection: Willie Boy at 10/3

5:25

He may be a relatively short priced favourite (7/4) - but if Midnight Shadow is tuned up for this, he should win.

On his final outing last seasons, he won the Scottish Champion hurdle - and that was a far better race than tomorrows.

He's been raised 6lb for that win – but that's hardly punitive.

The horse is only 5, so should still have plenty of improvement in him – he also won on his seasonal debut 12 months ago (and on his racecourse debut) – so whilst there are question marks over whether he will be fit enough to do himself justice, his past record gives definite cause for optimism...

There are question marks over his 2 main rivals (Aristo du Plessis – ground: Innocent Touch – class), making it even harder to get away from Midnight Shadow.

I'm sure the betting will tell more nearer the off – but looking at things this evening, I think he should be hard to beat.

Selection: Midnight Shadow at 7/4