Jumps racing is at Coleraine on Sunday and it is one of my favourite tracks.
Two things are important to know about it.
Firstly, it often races quite firm.
Secondly, and most importantly, you need to find runners that race on the speed, ideally leading.
It is a very tight turning track with races being mostly run on the inside of the course proper, only returning to the main course in the final stretches.
Race 1 – Maiden Hurdle (3300m)
Keen on the first starter over jumps Castronfrancaru. John Leek Jnr hasn’t had many jumps runners in recent years but he is a very good trainer and he has this horse flying on the flat. His recent trial win at Traralgon was excellent as well. The gelding races on the speed on the flat and suspect it will be the same here. The main danger looks the Steve Pateman trained jumping debutant, Stan The Caddy.
Strategy: Back Castrofrancaru to win.
Race 2 – BM120 Hurdle (3300m)
Going with another Leek runner here, this time Heir to the Throne trained by Andrea Leek. It was a dominant winner last Sunday at Sandown in a stronger race and while he is unlikely to lead, in a small field he should be close enough to move when it counts. Also, with three natural leaders here in Slipintothis, Tolemac and Mighty Oasis, they should run along.
Strategy: Back Heir to the Throne to win.
Race 3 – 0-114 Hurdle (3300m)
This is a race in two between Latin Beat and Bedford. Latin Beat is now with Kath Durden and produced a dashing, front running display to win a recent trial by panels. My concern is his jumping, he had a couple of goes over hurdles in 2020 and it proved a problem. Nonetheless if there was ever a track for him, this is it. Bedford is a very smart flat galloper who made a highly encouraging jumping debut recently at Pakenham and should only be improved from that. At the prices, Latin Beat is the clear value.
Strategy: Back Latin Beat, take quinella with Bedford.
Race 4 – Great Western Steeplechase (3600m)
This is a terrific race and you can make a case for almost every horse in the field. I think the main chances are, in order, Onset, Roland Garros, Under The Bridge, San Remo and Historic. None would surprise if they won. At the odds, I will be playing the bonny mare Onset.
Strategy: Back Onset.
