Consigliere

7th-Jan-2012

David Pipe’s horse ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival in March and, after a couple of lack-lustre runs, including a non-descript run behind Chance Du Roy in a handicap chase at Newbury’s Hennessy meeting this season, he shaped a lot better when he finished third behind the progressive Quincy Des Pictons in a handicap chase at Chepstow over Christmas. The handicapper has dropped him 2lb since then, and that gives him a chance, he is now down to a mark that is 9lb lower than his Byrne Group Plate mark, and just 1lb higher than his highest winning mark.

This race may not take a lot of winning. Pasco is vulnerable, Rougham has stamina limitations and Coup Royale is very inconsistent. The fact that Atouchbetweenacara has been attracting all the money all morning gives an indication of the quality of the race. Venetia Williams’s horse may well win, but he shouldn’t be the same price as Pasco on form.

Consigliere probably has his optimum conditions, two and a half miles and soft ground with a fast pace probable. David Pipe’s horses are in really good form, and his stable jockey rides, unlike the representatives from some of the other top yards. He wore cheekpieces for the first time at Chepstow last time, and he wears them again today. There is nothing as progressive as Quincy Des Pictons in here, and he is worth backing at 8/1 (guaranteed).

CONSIGLIERE WON (SP 10/1)

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