Look no further than Josies Orders for me in the Cross Country (a race I really like actually, think i’m in the minority with that though!). Dissapointed to not see him today but I presume the Bolger didn’t want to risk him on the ground? Without Nina being in the saddle I would have thought he’d try and book up Jamie Codd for the ride come March but Codd again rides Bless the Wings in todays race. Seems he is building up a nice little partnership with the horse (and continuing the partnership with Elliott). I could be reading too much into today but i’d be surprised then if he wasn’t to keep the ride for BTW. Not sure who’d be the likely jockey for Josies Orders? Any ideas? A good jockey booking is the only question mark for him winning the race for me.
On the Fringe is arguably one of the best hunter chases there’s been. I don’t think his age is a huge barrier to him winning again though it may be a case that it takes him a few more races now to get into his peak - he only just won at Cheltenham last year but then stepped up markedly at Aintree onwards. I’d echo billy’s shout on It Came To Pass too in the Fox Hunters though at the price (16’s). He was the horse to take out of last years race definately. Similar to Josies Orders actually in that he is markedly younger than the majority of rivals so should have improvement to come rather than the majority of the horses who have had their best years behind them. I think the likes of Paint The Clouds, Mendip Express, Current Event and co have all had enough shots at the race now and there’s not much else in the race bar ICTP and newcomers switching codes (the like of Grand Jesture). I remember Robbie McNamara being very keen on ICTP before last years race and saying he was held in very high regard so it wouldn’t be too surprising if they wanted to try and target better races?