WE ALL fall into the trap of following certain horses blindly and are quite prepared to accompany them off a cliff. GARDE LA VICTOIRE falls into that category for myself. I love this horse even though he let me down at both Cheltenham and Aintree over fences in the spring when he ended up on the floor. He was not far off top class over hurdles and his victory in the Greatwood Hurdle on unsuitably soft ground in 2014 remains one of the finest weight-carrying performances – and rides – of recent years.
On Tuesday Garde La Victoire returns to chasing in the prestigious Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter following his winning return at Ffos Las in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and this race will probably dictate whether he is campaigned over hurdles or fences for the rest of the season. There remains a question mark about his jumping but hopefully he would have learned something from his big race falls in the spring. Dodging Bullets is a potentially formidable opponent especially with Paul Nicholls banging in the winners but Garde La Victoire gets almost a stone. Those beneath him in the handicap, well he should beat them if he jumps fluently. He should not be inconvenienced by the good ground: in fact he relished it over hurdles. He has already been strongly supported, and although he does not make huge appeal at the horse racing odds currently available, I think he’ll win granted a clear round. Of course, he has the peerless champion jockey Richard Johnson on board.
BARNEY DWAN makes his chasing debut for Fergal O Brien in the 2.50 where he takes on the useful Emerging Force and Southfield Vic. His victory in the EBF Final at Sandown last season stamped Barney Dwan as a horse of some potential as he beat off a host of other winners on soft ground. The quicker ground is a slight worry today and he should come on for the run but the receipt of 5lb from Emerging Force could make the difference. His stable is in good form and the trainer is adept at getting one ready first time.
BONVILSTON BOY showed enough at Uttoxeter last time to suggest he is capable of winning a small race and he has the assistance of Johnson in the last at Exeter (4.20).
And finally VISITANT (2.10) did ever so well to win on his debut at Newcastle after falling out of the stalls and runs in handicap company at Redcar. He might have been let in lightly on a mark of 68.
Be lucky!
