We had a decent Saturday last weekend on Champions Day with a couple of places at 25/1 and 66/1. I think if the ground had been softer Stormy Antarctic might have won, but credit has to go to Roaring Lion who proved he is as tough as he is classy by grinding out a victory on ground that didn’t suit.
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| Lucy Gardner gets a good tune out of Trans Express. |
The ground will be good at Cheltenham tomorrow and I like one at a huge price in the 21f handicap hurdle at 3.10 who his making his seasonal comeback. Trans Express was a gallant 5th in this race last season off 112 and he is only 3lb higher here. He was a good way behind the winner that day but I think he showed he could handle the track and trip and this year’s renewal has probably been on Sue Gardner’s radar ever since.
On the face of it this 8yo son of Trans Island has it to prove off today's mark but he was beaten just under 2L by Ballinure off 115 at Towcester on his final start of last season. That showed that he can at least be competitive off his current rating and further encouragement can be gleaned from his excellent record on his seasonal comebacks for the last couple of seasons.
On his return to action in 2016 he ran a cracker in a handicap hurdle at Sandown (16f gd/sft) when beaten 5L in 2nd by Limited Reserve when conceding 5lb off 104 and that horse is now rated 138. In 2017 he reappeared in an 18.5f handicap hurdle at Exeter off 105 and he made mincemeat of his rivals, winning easily by 4L.
I think it is very interesting that connections have opted to swerve a repeat bid in that race and have decided to come straight to Cheltenham instead. He sneaks in off bottom weight and though Lucy Gardner may not be the most stylish of jockeys, she gets a good tune out of this fella and has ridden him every time he has run under rules.
Trans Express has yet to win over further than 18.5f but he stayed on all the way to the line when a close 3rd behind Ballinure over 19f at Towcester on his last start and there is loads of stamina in his pedigree so I don’t think the trip will be an issue. This is a competitive race so keep stakes small, but at odds of 40/1 I think Trans Express could surprise a few people with a big run.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: 3.10 CHELTENHAM-TRANS EXPRESS E/W @ 40/1 5 PLACES
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