Jumps action from Bangor-on-Dee features live on Sky Sports Racing on Tuesday. Grade Two winner Roadlesstravelled makes his chase debut in the John Hewitt Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Chase. The seven-year-old began his career impeccably, winning three from three over hurdles, including a Grade Two novice hurdle.
He has regressed markedly since, pulling up in the Formby Novices' Hurdle in December 2024, and has spent some time on the Flat since. He ran too keen on his last Flat start and returns to obstacles to make his chase debut off nearly a four-month break. He won an Irish point-to-point quite takingly back in May 2023, so if Jonjo and AJ O'Neill have got him back in decent shape, he could run a solid race.
Captain Cool by far holds the most experience over fences and sets a solid standard with a BHA rating of 131. He can put that experience to good use and serve it up to the rest. Krak seems on a handy mark if putting it altogether.
He was beaten by 10 lengths last time out but did not seem to stay that day and could get back on track down in trip. Ice In The Veins was beaten by 25 lengths to Captain Cool in June, and although it will be a tough task again, being better off at the weights and racing more economically will certainly bring them closer together. San Giorgio and Master Man clash in the Listed Criterium de Lyon.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained San Giorgio is improving by the run, getting off the mark when battling well last time in a fair novice. He holds strong form lines, finishing behind the current top French two-year-old Avec Toi, and perhaps showed most promise on his second start when running on behind a nice two-year-old in Ciceron. Be My Friend was one place behind San Giorgio that day when making his debut.
He seemed to come on for that run when winning in taking fashion next time out at Vichy, and he can prove a huge threat with more experience under his belt. Master Man has held a consistently solid level of form, winning two of his three starts and perhaps sets the standard on what he has achieved thus far. Skyridge narrowly beat Palais Byzantin in July and they should both be competitive, although lack the scope for improvement that the former three do.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
