Wednesday racing is another busy day with action at Warwick, Ffos Las and Hexham over the sticks whilst we have a rare mid-week card at Dundalk plus the all-weather late meeting at Wolverhampton.
Nap Of The Day
Given my recent poor run I resisted the temptation to tip in jest the walkover in the first at Warwick. It does sum up why some have concerns around how the jumps season program operates. Instead, we are going to head to Ffos Las and get behind Lump Sum, owned by Dai Walters, who was behind the building of this track. His horse, trained by Sam Thomas, looks a nice type here and I think is better prepared to handle the forecast ground than Onewaywest who looks the most likely danger. Lump Sum won at Bangor on debut in a bumper which was a decent effort before ending up third at Hereford last April. That day, he wasn’t too far behind the winner or the second, who went on to win next time out. Lump Sum can hopefully get off the mark at the first time of asking over hurdles.
The Must Watch Race Of The Day
I think I will nominate the 2.05 at Warwick as the race of the day. This two-mile five novice hurdle has a few contenders which all could be nice prospects for the season over hurdles. Big Fish made a winning start to life over hurdles at Exeter last month whilst Yes Day has a similar profile winning over a similar trip at Uttoxeter, I think it will be three miles that sees this point-to-point winner at his best. The Skelton duo run Cherie D’Am and I think that will have plenty of people keen to side with this mare who justified favouritism on her first start over hurdles. Push The Button, Grand Escaparde, Lark In The Dark and Luke The Drifter round off the field.
Bold Changes Required To See The Best Clash
After a glimmer of hope, again the schedule means racing fans do not get to see a great clash as Shishkin is now confirmed as 99% likely to head to Ascot on Saturday and not run in the Betfair Chase. Blame shouldn’t be laid at the door of trainer Nicky Henderson, if I was in his shoes I would 100% do the same thing and take on a race that on paper looks an easier task. We as racing fans do perhaps need to ask if the current fixture list is fit for purpose in terms of creating big clashes.
In my view perhaps small field sizes, an issue at every level, means that it will become increasingly hard to sell the sport if, bar four days in March at the Festival, we do not get to see the best taking on the best. It is a complex issue but for the long-term health of the sport one that needs further addressing in the coming months.
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