Royal performance at Warwick

LONDON: After the unforgettable spectacle of the Cheltenham Festival, punters have somewhat less interesting fare on offer today but nevertheless there could be some value available in the shape of Indien Royal at Warwick.

From the successful yard of Paul Nicholls, Indien Royal has yet to add to the stable’s tally but his turn can come in the Systimax SCS Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. The ex-French gelding has raced just three times for Nicholls and has finished second on each occasion and last time out may have been a shade unlucky when beaten eight lengths by the useful Red Wine in a decent contest at Newbury. He deserved plenty of credit that day as he forced the pace, knocked the fifth hurdle flat, all but getting rid of his rider, but was still galloping to the line. Indien Royal’s form reads well and he warrants the nap. At Fakenham, Rainbow River stands out as the best bet on the card in the Holkham Country Fair, 19th & 20th July 2003 Conditional Jockeys’ Maiden Hurdle.

A moderate performer on the Flat, Rainbow River shaped well on his hurdling bow at Market Rasen earlier this month when chasing home the smart Man O’Mystery. He was sent in pursuit of Man O’Mystery from the second last but was always fighting a losing battle and went down by half a length. Although flattered by his proximity to the cosy winner he still had the third horse 14 lengths away and looks well up to the task today.

At Lingfield, Snuki has a great chance to open his account for the season in the Bet Direct On Channel 4 Page 613 Claiming Stakes. Gary Moore’s colt scored twice at the Surrey track in December but has failed to add to that record in three starts this year, but showed enough last time to suggest his turn was near. He finished strongly to take the runner’s up slot, beaten one and a half lengths by Learned Lad. Clearly in good heart, Snuki looks the one they have to beat. Westbound Road can give in-form trainer David Loder and top owner Sheikh Mohammed another success by taking the betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

SELECTIONS: FAKENHAM: 2.10 Son Of A Gun, 2.40 Take The Stand, 3.10 Needwood Lion, 3.40 Cool Roxy, 4.10 Bard Of Drumcoo, 4.40 Rainbow River.
LINGFIELD: 1.50 Far Storm, 2.20 Connect, 2.50 Jodeeka, 3.20 Tease, 3.50 Kelpie, 4.20 Westbound Road, 4.50 Snuki, 5.20 Miss George.
WARWICK: 2.00 Bold King, 2.30 Kadito, 3.00 Over Zealous, 3.30 INDIEN ROYAL (NAP), 4.00 Chief Witness, 4.30 Cassia Green, 5.05 Inner Sanctum.
DOUBLE: Indien Royal and Rainbow River.