Gavin Cromwell’s William Hill blog: Arkle an option for Only By Night

William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell offers his insight on this week’s runners at Gowran Park, Fairyhouse and Naas, as well as providing an update on some Cheltenham Festival chances.

Arkle an option for Only By Night

Only By Night was due to run at the weekend just gone, but we pulled her on account of the ground. We’ve given her an entry in the Arkle, but it’s not definitely her main aim. We’re yet to try her over two-and-a-half miles over fences and if she weren’t to stay that trip then we might send her to the Arkle instead of the Mares’ Chase.

If the ground came up soft for the Mares’ Chase over two-and-a-half and we had any concerns about her staying, then we could go to the Arkle.

You can back Only By Night for the Arkle Trophy or Mares’ Chase with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Another possibility for the Festival is Now Is The Hour. He ran well on his handicap chase debut at Navan over the weekend and he has a couple of options. We’re not certain on where he’ll go yet, it could be the National Hunt Chase or the Kim Muir.

Bet on Now Is The Hour for the National Hunt Novices’ Chase or Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Thursday, Gowran Park

We have a few runners at Gowran Park on Thursday with two in the feature race on the day, the Thyestes Handicap Chase (2.48pm). Keith Donoghue rides Yeah Man and although it’s a while since his last run, we’re happy with him at home. The slower the ground the better, so we’re hoping the rain comes. It looks an ideal race for him and he’s probably our best chance.

We also run Velvet Elvis in the race and he’s another who would love the ground to be as soft as possible. He seems in good form and worked well last week, so hopefully he has a chance. I wouldn’t rule him out here with Conor Stone-Walsh claiming five pounds.

In the beginners’ chase over 3m1f we run Union Station. He’s a nice horse and we’ve been looking forward to going chasing with him. He’s had plenty of schooling and we’re hoping that he can run a nice race with a clear round of jumping.

Also worth a mention on the day are Journey So Far and Aspurofthemoment

Journey So Far will be having his first run in the maiden hurdle over two miles (1.03pm). If there’s a bit of ease in the ground then we’d be expecting a nice run from him. Aspurofthemoment was with Eugene O’Sullivan and this is his first run for us. His work at home suggests he’s up to winning off this mark, whether that be here or another day, so we’re expecting him to run well.

Saturday, Fairyhouse

Kazakh D’Arthel is back out on Saturday in the handicap chase over 2m1f (12:28pm). The penny is finally starting to drop with him. He’s running in a handicap for the first time and although we’re not sure how well handicapped he is, he has youth on his side. Hopefully he’ll keep learning and run a nice race here.

A nice horse that I’ve always like is Kamino Bello. He’s run in a couple of point-to-points where his jumping probably let him down a little bit, but he still put in good runs. He goes here in the bumper (3.47pm) and I’d be hopeful of him running a big race.

Sunday, Naas

We also have a few entries at Naas on Sunday, including Pinot Gris in the Grade Three hurdle over two miles (2.00pm). He’s not certain to run because he has a bit to find with some of the other horses entered there, so it might not be the best option for him. He could potentially go straight to Cheltenham for the William Hill County Hurdle.

Bet on Pinot Gris for the William Hill County Hurdle with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Another potential runner on the day is Bioluminescence in the Grade Three novice chase (2.30pm), though it’ll depend on what rain comes our way. There’s some rain forecast which will help her cause and she’ll be a very interesting contender if she does run. We would love to get a run into her before Cheltenham but if the conditions don’t go her way then she could go straight to the Mares’ Chase.

Bet on Bioluminescence for the Mares’ Chase with our Non Runner Money Back markets

Unlike the others, Individualiste is a horse that won’t want the ground too soft. He’s going for a hat-trick in the Novice Handicap Chase (1.00pm) and you’d have to give him a chance there. He’s been in good form and will just be hoping the rain doesn’t come.

A potentially interesting runner for us in the Handicap Hurdle (3.30pm) is Hartur D’Arc. His hurdle mark is a lot lower than his chase mark and he just hasn’t jumped well enough over fences this season considering he won the Leinster National last season. Hopefully he’s up to winning of the lower hurdle mark.

To finish off the weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing Champagne Jury run in the bumper (4.05pm). He’s only recently come to us and he’s a nice horse that works well at home. Hopefully he can put in a good performance.