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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
[current diary] 2b1os
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| Updated: 1st February 2013 - GG.com |
Fab February Warmers
The bell sounds for February's jumps action with the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on February 2. Most racing at the Welsh venue is of a humdrum nature but this is the one decent race that they hold all year.
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Twelve months ago Oscar Whisky landed the spoils at very short odds but in his absence a more open race for increased prize money should be on the cards for the 2013 renewal. Over at Sandown on the same day the best of the young novice chasers will be action in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase and this grade one chase over an extended two and a half miles is always won by a horse that is worth following.
This time around Captain Conan is sure to land the spoils and continue Nicky Henderson's grand run of Saturday results. In a normal year, Henderson's charge would be good enough to win an Towton Novices' Chase on the same day offers the staying stars of tomorrow the opportunity to gain more experience around Wetherby's tough jumps course. Jonjo O'Neill often sends one of his stronger novices to the West Yorkshire venue and any runner he turns out should be noted.
February 9 is a key date in any punter's planning as far as the Cheltenham Festival is concerned because this is a day that often throws up a powerful clue or two regarding the outcome of some of the championship races at the following month's Prestbury Park spectacular.
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The following weekend - February 16 - sees Ascot stage the Jan 2013
