Newton Abbot 15:45
Trained by Paul Nicholls, Ruddy Article has a great chance in my opinion to land the main race on the card at Newton Abbot this afternoon. He stayed on really nicely to win over hurdles at the course last month and the extra distance this time around appears to be right up his street.
Nicholls knows exactly what it takes to win around here and I think he has an excellent chance.
The obvious danger is Abolitionist. Ridden by champion jockey elect Richard Johnson, he is easily the best horse in the field on ratings and has already won twice over the larger obstacles. He will be carrying a ten pound penalty because of this though and that may prove his undoing if Ruddy Article can continue his improvement.
Henllan Harri made a few mistakes on his chasing debut but he was rated as a decent hurdler, so if he can eradicate those errors he definitely has a good chance. The excellent Sean Bowen is on board as well so his three pound claim is a bonus.
Gleneagles Set For The Juddmonte
Gleneagles is due to run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois on Sunday but they have already had 10mm of rain this week at Deauville and there are thunderstorms forecast for later on in the week. Gleneagles was pulled from the Sussex Stakes and a clash with Solow due to the ground not being firm enough and trainer O'Brien will likely do the same if the ground isn't on the firmer side.
If he does miss Sunday's appointment and heads for the Juddmonte at York she will face Golden Horn, this year's Derby winner, over the ten furlong trip. It is a mouthwatering prospect and although Gleneagles looks an out and out miler, it will be intriguing all the same.
To add to the excitement of the race, Roger Charlton, trainer of the excellent Royal Ascot winner Time Test, has indicated that he is a likely runner.
Golden Horn has been pushed out to 4/6 from 4/9 with the Gleneagles news.
We were a little unlucky with our horse selection Media Day yesterday. Richard Fahey's filly was making it's racecourse debut and ran a little bit green. She dwelt at the start but after the penny dropped she really kicked into gear and was gaining on the winner all the way to the line to lose only by a neck at 6/1. She is definitely one to keep an eye on as this experience should men she is capable of winning next time out.
Today's Selections.
Newton Abbot 15:45 Ruddy Article - 3 points @ 2/1