Dorset trainer Caroline Keevil enjoyed
a red-letter day when Sound Stage
gave her a first Cheltenham winner in this week 3 years ago, and hers is an
outfit I’ve followed fairly closely ever since. Last season was something of a
write off, as she struggled to keep her horses healthy, although she had
initially made a bright start at her new base at Motcombe, having leapfrogged Paul
Nicholls geographically from her old yard at Blagdon, to the south of Bristol
Airport. A break has allowed her to sort things out, and her runners have been
performing better on the whole this autumn. Among those to benefit from her
patient approach is Marshal Zhukov (15:00
Taunton), who built on the promise he showed on chase debut when scoring in
some style at Chepstow in October. He was a creditable third to Ackertack at
Ascot last time, but the result tells only half the story, as he positively
tanked through the race before being prematurely kicked for home by James Best
with 5 fences left to jump. That move was arguably justified given the horse’s
tendency to race with zest, and he certainly benefited from being allowed to
attack his fences, but the effort told on the long run from Swinley Bottom, and
he was patently outstayed on the testing ground. Despite a background in
points, the son of Morozov looks the type to benefit from a drop to 2m, and his
sound jumping as much as his free-going nature will help in that regard. Joe
Tizzard takes the reins today, and the pair should go very close despite top
weight.
Earlier in the card, Keevil can strike
with the Brian Derrick-owned Bally
Legend in the limited handicap for novices at 13:50. This is a horse I’ve always
had an eye on, as his dam, Bally Lira,
was an old favourite when trained by Pat Rodford. She stayed extremely well,
and did most of her winning in the colours of Victor Thorne. It’s no
coincidence that owner and trainer have targeted this contest, which is named
in honour of the late Thorne, and Bally Legend has what it takes to carry on
the family tradition. He was a hurdles winner over 17f at Cheltenham in this
week last year, and has caught the eye on both starts over fences this term. On
his debut at this track, he was unable to go with Molotof and Changing Times,
but wasn’t at all knocked about in finishing third. He built on that when second
to the talented Current Event over 21f at Kempton last time despite not being
seen to advantage given how that race was run (Harry Derham dictated on the
bold-jumping winner which proved crucial). That looked a strong race of its
type, and there is little doubt that Bally
Legend is potentially ahead of his mark. His jumping suffered late on at
Kempton, but I don’t see him as one with a problem in that department, and he
can only improve with experience.
Recommended Bets:
Back Marshall Zhukov in the 15:20 Taunton @ [4.0] (NAP)
Back Bally Legend in the 13:50 Taunton
@ [6.6] (NB)
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