ROBERT (CHOC) THORTON
Racing/Stud manager

Blacko Spot On For Cheltenham Boodle 10/03/20

Blacko has been in great form in the run up to his main target for the season in tomorrows 2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Fred Winter) (Grade 3) (Class 1) (4yo). Coming in to the race off two solid wins, with a very workable handicap mark of 135 after winning at Warwick on the 22nd of January. Arguably not visually impressive that day he did only what he needed to win the race, after making his own running which is far from ideal. This will not be the case tomorrow at Cheltenham with a sure fire end to end gallop. The one thing Blacko does is travel and jump which he will need to tomorrow. His lack of race course experience is a slight concern having only the four outings over hurdles and no runs on the flat. He may not be as battle hardened as his opposition, but I feel this leaves him unexposed and the 16/1 available is massive each way value. Tom Bellamy takes the ride again and it would mean as much to me as riding a winner at the meeting as to see Alan, Tom and Paul be triumphant on the biggest stage in our sport.