DOWN ROYAL SAT ?

Some race in prospect here, a pity there's only seven runners though. Quality rather than quantity it would seem.

BOSTONS ANGEL: a thoroughly likable sort who refuses to go down without a fight. His chase wins include three Grade 1's and an easy win over the smart Royal De La Thinte. He's as game as a pebble, as seen when fending off all comers in the RSA last year at Cheltenham. In one meeting with Quito De La Roque, he won by a fast diminishing 3/4 of a length. He always pulls out more when something comes to him though, so who knows what would have happened had Quito got to him. Western Charmer was third that day and in one other meeting with that horse Bostons beat him by over thirty lengths but Western Charmer's run seemed too bad to be true that day. Quito De La Roque faced that rival twice since the Fort Leney, slamming him twice by 14 lengths. Take from that what you will. Jessica Harrington's horses seem to be needing the run, and Bostons Angel has himself needed his seasonal debut to blow away the cobwebs so it's likely he'll improve from tomorrow's outing. Still a major player though. ****

COOLCASHIN: Good stayer on his day, and only finished a couple of lengths behind Sizing Europe last time out, although it seemed a case of Rubi Light first the rest nowhere until that horse fell at the last obstacle. This should be too hot for him. *

MIDNIGHT CHASE: Ran up a hat trick of wins in handicap chases at Cheltenham last year, before running a good fifth in the Gold Cup. A far better chaser than he ever was a hurdler, he hacked up on his first start last season so fitness shouldn't be a problem. However, I for one don't think the form of last year's Gold Cup is anything special in the context of this race, and think the likes of What A Friend would struggle. Therefore I'm not backing a horse who finished eight lengths behind him in the Gold Cup. ***

QUITO DE LA ROQUE: Wasn't much between this fella and Bostons Angel last season, but I think Quito was a shade unlucky the day he was beaten in the Fort Leney. He lost a fair bit of momentum when he hit one down the back straight and struggled to make the ground up thereafter. When they met the rising ground he was finishing faster than anything and there would have been nothing between them in another fifty yards. He again made a couple of awful mistakes at Aintree but found making the ground up a lot easier on the better ground to even defy slipping on landing over the second last to win a shade cosily imo. Like Bostons Angel, he's as tough as they come, emphasized by his win in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse two seasons ago when everything else was crying no more. I've just taken the 25/1 for the Gold Cup, and imo he's the one to beat. *****

RARE BOB: Grade 1 winning novice chaser but hasn't really made the grade at the top level since. A big staying handicap might be more within his compass, but he would have place prospects on a going day. Whether that'll be tomorrow is anyone's guess. **

SIZING EUROPE: Second in this race last year behind the mighty Kauto, he then reverted back to two miles and took the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Connections seem intent on making a Gold Cup horse out of him, but it's hard to see him even lining up in that, given how he won the Queen Mother last year. He looked well beaten when left infront last time out but he will surely have come on a lot for that run. A reproduction of last year's effort would probably see him go close. Undoubtedly has the class but still question marks over his stamina. ****

THE NIGHTINGALE: Won the Ladbrokes.com Chase on the same card last year when hosing up from the decent Roberto Goldback. Nicholls has targeted this meeting in recent years and I'd say The Nightingale will be straight enough for this. He handles soft ground but has doubts surrounding his stamina given the speed he has shown over 2m4f in the past. If it turns into a log others will out battle him imo. ***

Small each-way on Worldly Wise 1.50,hoping its held up in mid field and come through late.Consistent performer has found one too good lately,on its last run had Sea of thunder over 6l behind,Sea of thunder franked the form by winning it,s maiden comfortably.At double figures hoping at least for a place.
GL

kauto stone and monksland

Backed The Nightingale @ 9/2 in the Champion Chase. He is a horse that runs well first time up having won his bumper 1st time and novice chase 1st time. He would of won 1st time over hurdles too only for jumping the road when clear after the last and coming down. Yes he has a bit to find with some of these but he won the grade 2 over 2m 4f here last year so clearly likes the track, the ground is fine and although he has to prove his stamina for the trip i do think he will stay. Some on Nicholls horses have needed the run, some haven't and i expect this lad will be ready for this grade 1 first time up which looks his best chance to date to win a grade 1.

Also when going through the opposition i think there are a lot of negatives against them. Quito De La Roque looks the horse to beat but Colm Murphy has said he could of done with more time and would rather the horse be more forward for this. Bostons Angel is another with big claims but the way Jessie Harringtons horses are running suggests this lad will improve drasticly for the run and added to that fact he has never won 1st time up. Sizing Europe still has to prove his stamina for the trip as i don't think his distant 2nd place last year to Kauto Star was conclusive. He also looks more of a spring horse to me. Midnight Chase was a revelation last year but all those runs where around Cheltenham and well this is a different test (course) altogether.

I basically think The Nightingale has the least question marks against him and today could be his big day as the others have bigger fish to fry later on in the season.

The trainer states he would rather the horse be more forward so that is surely a worry for Quito De La Roque?? If ready he has every chance and is probably the one to beat but i'll take on board Colm's comments. I personally think the trip will be fine for The Nightingale.

Anyone watching ATR . What a joke these betting firms coming on telling us whats being backed . Hayley O Connor from ladbrokes is on telling us that Fahermore in the first well backed 6/4 into 13/8 !!!!!! ......horse dead as a door nail freely available at 3 s ....stop coming on waffling

That was a game performance by the winner there,battled back bravely,wd norn.

Norn on fire, wd

A great race - that quito has balls like danoli - never gives in

Kauto Stone looks pretty useful

80k purchase, looks weak. Going to stick a nice wad on this lad...I guess when Meade is flying you just got to stick with him.

Was easy wasn't it Fly...The fact she rode it like that was a hint in itself.

160 i think