'JULIETTE'S WEEKLY FROLIC
My recovery campaign came to a sticky, futile end when the heavens opened last week and the only selection to brave the going, finished fourth in the wrong race. As the Cheltenham Festival drew nearer, Gold Cup favourites continued to shatter their reputa- tions—The Dikler and Glencaraig Lady's weekend trials being the latest inexcusable disappointments. This Saturday it's make or break day for Into View. Fred Winter's star must win Kempton's Coventry Pattern 'Chase in convincing style to prove his stamina over three miles and justify his position in the Gold Cup market. Titus Oates (and perhaps The Laird) will provide formidable opposition, but if I'm to support the Lambourn horse at Cheltenham, he must win for me here. The following `K.P' Hurdle -features top four-year-olds, Boxer and Melody Rock, plus Why Linger from Ireland and fancied Lincoln candidate, Duke of Parma. The race must lie between the first two and with a 7 lb weight advantage and a presumably more attractive price, I shall put my money on Ryan Price's charge. Still at Kerntiton The Portlane 'Chase could be the opportunity for Fortina's Palace to end a run of bad luck. After a good second to Into View in January, he then ran an erratic, headstrong race here, but last week turned in a very promising third behind The Laird and Bighorn and can account for Get Stepping and Fisher's Lodge.
Finally, north to Teesside for yet another 'National' trial, this year renamed the York- shire Grand Stayers Handicap 'Chase! Of a poor field Mr Toad and Gundagai generate most excitement and although tailed off last time, the latter ran a couple of good races at Catterick and Sedgefield earlier in the season. -
Bank : £90.25. Outlay: £3 to win Into View, Melody Rock and Fortina's Palace.
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