I dont suppose Prunella Dobbs and her team have sent Our Girl Salley across from Ireland from their Dunganstown, County Wicklow base for a breath of the Berkshire air, and she can defy a penalty to take the spoils in this afternoons Grade 2 1942 Was A Vintage Year Mares Hurdle at Ascot, 2.05pm live on Channel 4.
Having stumped up the Euros to take their seven year old daughter of 1989 Arc de Triomphe winner Carroll House across the Irish Sea, I wouldnt be at all surprised to see them go floating back tomorrow night with a cheque for £22,780 in the back burner plus a decent celebratory hangover to tide them by too.
James Cracknell Griffin, the rising star of the Irish commentary ranks and heir apparent to Irish calling legend Tony OHehir, has been over to ride her out on the track and he reportedly got a great feel from her, the mare having travelled across and acclimatised well.
The winner of four of her eight starts over hurdles she was seen to best effect at Leopardstown at Christmas, bouncing back to peak form to take a Grade 3 event at Leopardstown with a bit to spare.
Its no mistake that she has earned a mark of 139, she has quality stamped through her like a stick of rock, and despite the weight concession she can give them all something to think about, especially as Barry Geraghty (on board for all four of her hurdles wins) is clearly a vital compenent and is available to take a mount he clearly enjoys.
Question marks about the remainder bolster confidence, and at half the price I wouldnt be rushing to back Kentford Grey Lady, despite her convincing win over a staying trip last time given that there wasnt huge strength in depth to the race she won.
The burning question is will Our Girl Salley have enough petrol in the tank at the business end of the race to get the job done since this is her first attempt at three miles?
I thought she stayed on really well for pressure at Christmas time over two and a half miles, and certainly wasnt emptying by any stretch of the imagination.
The better ground will help in that respect, and given shes now seven I can see her staying every inch.
Youd have to think shed be shorter than the 3/1 available with any of Bet365, Betfred or Stan James if she were trained by someone more fashionable, but dont let that deter you from trying to back a winner, especially as Ladbrokes clearly fancy her and are ducking the issue with a quote of just 9/4, a tip in itself.
Also at Ascot the feature event arrives at 3.10pm with the 25th running of the Victor Chandler Chase, and what a cracker it could turn out to be, not least because the sponsors, Bet Victor, have come up with a real beauty of an offer to mark the occasion new and existing customers get their money back (in the form of a free bet) for a £25 stake win or lose on any selection in the race.
Under those circumstances it seems a shame not to take advantage, and we could do worse than keep the faith with Philip Hobbss Wishfull Thinking in the colours of owner Diana Whateley.
Clearly hell have to return to his very best to chin the market leaders, but he was only just run out of it by the re-opposing Finians Rainbow at Kempton latest, and if connections can get him to run less free in the early stages hell be a danger to all.
Given that theres a risk free £25 at 13/2 going begging with Bet Victor you can afford to take that chance.
Victor Chandler Chase Odds Comparison
By some miracle Haydock has passed its inspection, and I thought David Pipes proven mudlark Consigliere was worthy of further attention in the feature Peter Marsh Chase at 3.30pm.
The winner of six of his 24 chase starts hell love the prevailing conditions, is bang in form after a spell in the doldrums, and has proven he can be competitive off a mark of 145.
Rather like Our Girl Salley hes maturing and looks worth a try at a longer trip, and though there are no guarantees he shapes as though hell stay three miles at this stage of his career.
In a race with no standout solution Consigliere looks worthy of an each way nibble at 10/1 with Boylesports or Coral.