Stephen Welch's NAP of the Day (4th December)
2 minutes KALIF D’AIRY is confidently selected to follow up and take the Silver Buck.
2:40 Wincanton
Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Silver Buck Handicap Chase
KALIF D’AIRY - 3/1
Kalif d’Airy finally delivered the performance his hurdle form had been threatening when making a dominant chasing debut at Lingfield last month, travelling strongly, jumping accurately and putting the race to bed in a matter of strides. It was the display of a horse who has always had more to offer over fences and the Moore team, consistently excellent with these progressive middle-distance chasers, look to have found another improver.
What impressed most at Lingfield wasn’t just the margin of victory, but how efficiently he went through the race. Despite the modest pace, he settled beautifully, measured his fences with maturity and quickened smartly when Caoilin Quinn asked him to lengthen. A 5lbs rise feels lenient for a win that was backed up by the clock and his profile suggests this level of improvement is sustainable. He’ll also have no problem with today’s easier surface, having shown all his best hurdle form on soft ground.
This is a competitive race, but one packed with horses who either have questions to answer or less immediate upside. Joe Cotton is consistent but hardly thrown in and switching from blinkers to a visor today hints connections are still searching for an edge. Scorsese has a chance but is far from straightforward and must bounce back from an untimely fall. Sea Invasion may need this after seven months off and is without his usual headgear, while Pilsdon Pen and South Omo Zone both arrive with something to prove.
Verdict: With a highly promising chase debut behind him, ideal conditions and the potential to climb well beyond this 113 mark, KALIF D’AIRY is confidently selected to follow up and take the Silver Buck. A strong winning chance and today’s NAP.
