The Weekend Angle 12/11/22

Rain. The four letter word that is at the forefront of Racing matters at the moment. More or less?. That is the question. It's an almost similar scenario to the famous children's story Goldy Locks and The Three Bears. One track has had too much rain, one track has hardly had any. Which tracks will feel that Mother Nature has got it just right?.

Carlisle were forced to abandon this week due to waterlogging. Sandown got as far as the third race on Sunday before drawing stumps. A decision that sparked uproar due to the fact that six fences were omitted from the chase course all afternoon. Rain soaked racegoers were not compensated. An outcome that left a sour taste.

I can totally understand that Sandown's Clerk Of The Course Andrew Cooper did everything possible to ensure Racing went ahead for racegoers, as well as stable staff and connections. It is easy for people to watch on from afar and judge what must be an extremely challenging job. In my opinion, once you start to omit a fence here, a hurdle there it will only end with one outcome. Sunday was a frustrating day for everyone involved. Racegoers should have been compensated for what was a farce of a meeting.

I begin my Racing analysis at Cheltenham on day two of The November Meeting with The Paddy Power Gold Cup taking centre stage.

Cheltenham

2:20 Paddy Power Gold Cup

The first offering of a two part series over two and a half miles. The Paddy Power comes up first, closely followed by The Racing Post Gold Cup (formerly The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup) in December. A sixteen strong field go to post in what looks to be a cracking renewal.

Cheltenham stalwart and past winner of this race Coole Cody prepares for his sixteenth run at the course he loves. Will it prove to be sweet sixtteen for Evan Williams and Coole Cody?. I can imagine the Cheltenham winners enclosure will be a sea of emotion should Coole Cody defy the odds once again. A pipe opener over hurdles at The Showcase in October should be the ideal prep.

I was extremely impressed with Ga Law's reappearance in The Old Roan Chase a couple of weeks ago after a very lengthy absence. I originally had question marks as to whether or not Jamie Snowden would have his stable star fully fired up for that particular race, but my original doubts were met with an authoritative 'yes'. In the end, this six year old son of Sinndar was only beaten narrowly into third by over a length.

Provided Ga Law comes on for his Old Roan effort, I'd expect to see him again hitting the frame if not winning this. I believe the form tied in with Hitman could turn out to be pretty useful reading later on in the season.

Stolen Silver thrives at Cheltenham. From six starts at Prestbury Park, the Cardiff trained grey's form reads an impressive 2241. The latter two being a fourth in The Plate at The Festival and a comfortable eleven length success in The Silver Trophy, with the reopposing Simply The Betts a distant second.

The only slight question mark (a very slight one) would be a seven pound rise. That leaves Stolen Silver to race off a career high mark. With the way the Sam Thomas yard has started the season, Stolen Silver has a big chance.

Two I would recommend at big each way prices are Umbrigado and Simply The Betts.

Umbrigado at his peak in 2021 was good enough to win a Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury by a length with some useful handicappers in behind. Unfortunately, everything appeared to go pear shaped after that and plenty of disappointing runs over both hurdles and fences followed.

However, David Pipe should be encouraged by two positive runs over hurdles at Newton Abbott over significantly longer trips. The first time blinkers will be a boost and I'm expecting a good run at big odds here.

Simply The Betts. His Cheltenham record speaks for itself. A Festival winner in The Plate during the 19/20 season as well as an abundance of consistent efforts since. Cheltenham is where he thrives.

Now in the well recognised chocolate brown and red colours of eccentric Amateur David Maxwell, one eye will be on The Foxhunters in March. However, I would not rule Simply The Betts hitting the frame at a course and distance he thoroughly enjoys. David Maxwell is in for a great spin.

Wetherby

1:53 Racing Forever Handicap Chase

I expect the inform Pam Sly yard to have a good day at Wetherby starting with the progressive seven year old Xcitations. This son of Universal has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Millers Bank and Major Dundee in the past. Two smart chasers.

A pair of chase victories at Doncaster and Leicester should put Xcitations spot on for this. Regular rider Paul O'Brien is once again an excellent booking. Soldier Of Destiny was last seen in The Old Roan at Aintree but comes here having to carry top weight of twelve stone.

Karl Phillipe comes into this with a good chance, but his jumping has been his undoing in the past. It's the risk you take despite the very talented Jack Hogan taking off a valuable seven pounds.

Sunday: Cheltenham

2:55 Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

In a typical minefield of a handicap at Cheltenham, I like the look of the Ben Pauling trained Severance at a big price. I believe a big field, strong gallop is exactly what Severance needs.

This son of Nathaniel ran with credit when third in The Welsh Champion Hurdle in behind Effernock Fizz. That form proving to have substance with Effernock Fizz narrowly beaten by Dads Lad over fences at The Showcase. Dads Lad reappears here.

Severance is no stranger to a good performance in a big field handicap as proved when finishing second in The Swinton at Haydock in May. If they go off fast here, it could play into the hands of Severance to pick up the pieces.

Thank you for reading.

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