The racing worlds are swapping over soon. Cheltenham has gone, but there is still Aintree and Punchestown to come for jumps fans. On the Flat, the Lincoln is only a week and a half away with the Dubai World Cup coming only seven days later.
The Classics will be here before we know it, and we’re looking at the big stories concerning both codes this week.
Grand National Teams Coming Together
After Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin was scratched this week from the Grand National, Intense Raffles (Thomas Gibney) is the new favourite at around 6/1. The Gold Cup hero will instead be heading to Punchestown.
Intense Raffles will get his run too, currently showing as 21st on the remaining list of 67 horses which was shorted from 81 on Tuesday. I Am Maximus is topweight and 8/1 third favourite, but owner JP McManus has already reportedly told his trainers that Iroko is “his Grand National horse”, though he’s as short as 7/1.
Paul Nicholls is readying a strong team of his own. Kandoo Kid had a prep at Newbury and should turn up under Harry Cobden, while Bravemansgame is set to be ridden by James Reveley. Bryony Frost is pencilled in for the yard’s Stay Away Fay.
Another big booking has been secured for the stable’s Threeunderthrufive (66/1), with Harry Skelton set to ride. It seems Freddie Gingell will be aboard Hitman.
Henderson Big-Hitters to Remain Busy
Nicky Henderson had some high-profile disappointments at Cheltenham, but it’s not over this spring for his bigger names.
Lulamba (Triumph Hurdle) may now run again in a U-turn, while Champion Chase runner-up Jonbon is also set to reappear. As well as this, Constitution Hill will head to Ireland, which is encouraging but given his troubles could he yet have Flat targets in mind?
Nicky Henderson can and does win staying races at Royal Ascot on the Flat. Some say Constitution Hill is losing some judgement over his hurdles, so could he turn up there and go for bigger money?
The Group 1 Ascot Gold cup is a possibility and, on the numbers, you’d think he’s turn up favourite. He may well struggle against some of the better, regular Flat stayers however and it’s not certain Henderson will risk his or the horse’s reputation.
Flat Action Around the Corner
The most underrated horse of last year on the level is possibly Lockinge winner Audience, who never really got the media credit he deserved for a couple of genuinely outstanding runs.
He has plenty of pace and although seven-furlong and mile races await, it seems we may see him as early as April 5 over six furlongs on Dubai World Cup Day.
In the big race, defending champ Laurel River is unfortunately now out, but we should keep an eye that day on results affecting upcoming British races. That’s especially true of any horses gaining valuable fitness and experience before the Classics, particularly those trained by Charlie Appleby.
It’s been announced that the Sunday Series will return. Musselburgh (April 13), Newmarket (May 18), Chelmsford (June 1), Hamilton (June 15), Haydock (August 10) and York (September 7) are the venues.
There’s lots of prize money on offer, including a £100,000 bonus to the first horse to win three races across the series.
The Classics are coming fast. The 2000 Guineas is run on May 3 at Newmarket, with the 1000 Guineas run the following day. In that event, Godolphin’s filly Desert Flower has suddenly been shifted from 11/4 to 2/1 overnight and that’s worth keeping in mind.