Sizing Granite

11th-Apr-2015

God’s Own undoubtedly has the best form in the Maghull Novices’ Chase – winner of the Grade 1 at Punchestown last year and runner-up to Un De Sceaux in the Arkle – but he is not the sort of horse to back at a shortish price in my book. I am taking him on with Sizing Granite, who I think is a little under the radar.

Henry de Bromhead’s horse is a potentially high-class horse in the making. Winner of all three of his completed starts over fences, he has looked very promising each time. Despite unseating on his second run in November, he looks a natural over fences.

He jumped really well when winning at Naas in January, he winged his fences, and he kept on well to beat a couple of useful horses in Fine Rightly (who has won his next two) and Blood Cotil (who won well next time and was sent off joint favourite for the Grand Annual, in which he never recovered from a bad early mistake), giving them both 6lb.

On his most recent run, at Leopardstown at the end of January, he was impressive again. He didn't miss a beat apart from the fact that he got in a bit close to the final fence, having gone a few lengths clear and pricked his ears into a strong headwind. He easily beat Dysios, who was running very well in the good novices’ handicap chase at Fairyhouse last Sunday when he fell at the last.

Sizing Granite will probably stay beyond two and a half miles in time, but for now he shapes as though a better race and a decent pace over two miles will suit him really well. He should be able to travel and jump behind the pace today, and his jumping will be a big asset around here.

Henry de Bromhead’s horses are always to be respected when he takes them to Britain. His horses at Cheltenham performed with great credit all week (three places, all at 18/1 or bigger), his two horses in the Red Rum Chase at Aintree on Thursday both ran really well, and he won this race with Special Tiara at a big price two years ago. It is likely that he has had this race in mind for Sizing Granite for some time.

SIZING GRANITE WON (ADV 11/2, SP 9/2)

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