In his exclusive column, the National Hunt jockey and Betway ambassador discusses the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and his Friday rides
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup
It was a very hard decision to split the two in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (1.50pm).
I love Champagne West, but I think the ground is going to be pretty testing and I’ve gone for the horse who’s had two runs and has a light weight.
Champagne West has got a great chance, but race fitness is an obvious advantage and that was just enough to sway it for me.
They’re both improvers. Champagne West is a second season novice and, although he fell on his last run, his three performances prior to that were all decent.
He’s a raw, young horse and is open to improvement.
Village Vic has been very good so far this campaign and I don’t think the handicapper has overly penalised him.
We’ve always thought the world of him. He finished second to The New One but unfortunately injuries slowed his progress.
He jumped well at Musselburgh and Wetherby and Saturday’s race should really suit him. He’ll run up with the pace, he’s fit and well. Saturday is the target.
Annacotty and Buywise, who finished first and second in the Gold Cup, are obvious dangers, but they were reasonably exposed before the race and produced excellent performances.
Both of Philip’s (Hobbs) are improvers and they should run big races. Fingers crossed I’ve chosen the right one.
Friday
I get under way with Mad Jack Mytton in the handicap hurdle (1.10pm).
He’s been very consistent. The faster the pace the better for him. Funnily enough, we didn’t go that quick in the Greatwood and a fast run race should really suit him.
A Hare Breath was obviously very impressive last time and he is the one we all have to beat.
We were really pleased with Sausalito Sunrise at the last meeting and it’s fantastic to get him back on track (1.45pm).
Philip and I talked about Chepstow and, as the ground is certain to be very testing there, we thought the race would suit him better.
Never say never, but I think it will be very unlikely that he will go for the Welsh National after Friday.
He’s a relatively young, inexperienced horse and we’re hoping that last win has really boosted his confidence. I think there’s plenty more to come.
Any Currency should have a good chance in the Cross Country Chase (2.20pm). I’ve never ridden him before, but he knows his way round there better than I do.
Josies Orders is still going to be a big threat even though we have a nice pull in the weights from last month’s race.
Things have really fallen into place for Monbeg Gold and I think he has a good chance in the handicap hurdle (2.55pm).
He’s won his last two races at Exeter and hopefully he’s still on a competitive mark.
We had a bit of a nightmare with Drumlee Sunset last time when he shied away from the tapes, but he ran a really good race before that and should go close (3.25pm).
I’ll definitely get a lead over the first after last time. His form is very solid and that should stand him in good stead.
I’ll update the blog on Friday when I know more about my other weekend rides.
READ: Richard Johnson: It was right that Tingle Creek result stood
