IT'S like spring outside and the daffs can't be far away. It should come us roses for our Greystoke handler Nicky Richards, who is looking for MONET'S GARDEN to get back into the Cheltenham picture.
Monet's ran a shocker last time, said HG, when we settled in after a bacon butty (great buy at Booths) at the Flared Nostril.There must have been an explanation, said Restless, rummaging through the Press, and sure enough it transpired the grey was dehydrated. Probably travelled down on the day and didn't get enough fluid, quoth Ishmael . Well we're all for a second chance here and MONET'S GARDEN get the Nostril's vote to beat Cerium, who may not be Paul Nicholl's second-string in this race, though stable jock Ruby Walsh in on Thidsthatandtheother.
My Immortal didn't live up with big boys last week but is on a recovery mission in the 1.10 at Ascot and the longer trip with suit.At 12-1 each-way, he looks tempting but he's not set a good timefigure yet so SLEW CHARM is our idea of the winner with great form, having beaten Heathcote (big race winner since) and finished runner-up to Blazing Bailey, who gave a top-notcher a bloody nose.
Gungadu ticks all boxes in the 1.45 but OVER THE CREEK is due a bit of luck and is just preferred.
It's testing at Hadydock, says, HG, and the 2.00 is a cracking race. The Outlier finished well clear of LEADING MAN last time and is well fancied, and Cloudy Lane is going places from the bottom of the handicap.
But why would Ferdy Murphy put Leading Man in the mix again, if he's didn't think he was better than last time.
We reckon he'll love the ground and at 14s is an each-way looker. MATERIAL WORLD is highly-rated and should do the business in the 1.25, while MONOLITH clocked a great time when winning at Cheltenham and is only 5lb higher. Might have wanted better ground, says Ishmael , but is worth chancing.