Ascot
1:50: Howden Handicap Chase
We get underway with a handicap chase and Palmers Hill for Jonjo O’Neil heads the market. He comes here off the back of a nice success last time out at Wetherby, where he was pushed clear to win comfortably. Knight In Dubai was last seen running at Aintree at the start of November and he was very strong in the betting that day, but he was pretty disappointing. Guy is another runner who has been running ok in these sorts of races, but always finding one too good for him. I’m going to go with Diego Du Charmil, who ran ok last time out at Ascot. He can build on that run again and I see him going very close.
Selection – Diego Du Charmil – 7/1
2:25: Howden Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1)
Thyme Hill would have given Buzz a lot to think about, but unfortunately, he misses this race due to an injury suffered on the gallops. Thyme Hill’s first start this season in Auteuil was not his best and will need to find that form from last season. The old champion Paisley Park is also in this high-class field and will be ridden by young Fergus Gregory, who will be over the moon to pick up such a big ride and hopefully Paisley Park can re-find that form from two years ago when he won this race. Thomas Darby outstayed Paisley Park at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle is going for Grade 1 glory for the first time and he has a decent chance.
Selection – Buzz – 2/1
3:00: Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase
Belami Des Pictons has been really well-backed all week for this Silver Cup and I can see why with the strong form of the trainer, Venetia Williams. He was last seen running at Bangor and the form of that race looks pretty good with the winner Snow Leopardess going on to win the Becher Chase at Aintree. Grand Sancy is next in the market and he will need to improve quite a bit on his runs this season. We also have Cloth Cap in the field, who went off favourite last April in the Grand National. He made a couple of mistakes and then weakened at Newbury in his last run, so he has something to prove now. Jerrysback fell in early in the London Gold Cup at Ascot when last seen, but he was really well punted that day and deserves another chance.
Selection – Jerrysback – 15/2
3:35: Betfair Exchange Trophy (A Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3)
We finish the day with an interesting Grade 3 handicap hurdle and it’s a pretty wide-open field. No Ordinary Joe for Nicky Henderson heads the market and his only run of the season was at Cheltenham in the Greatwood Hurdle, where he finished third behind West Cork. It was an impressive performance that day from West Cork, but he is up in the weights now, so could be vulnerable. The four-year-old Samarrive won going away last time out in a listed race at Sandown and I expect him to improve again and go very close. Goshen will have to carry top weight, but he is by far the class horse in the race. Onemorefortheroad has won his last 3 races and has a solid each-way chance, he also has the services of Bryony Frost onboard.
Selection –Samarrive – 11/2
Haydock
2:05: Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle
I tipped Mackleduff up last month when he finished third at Cheltenham and he ran a strange race that day. He looked like he was struggling down the back straight and then stayed on like a train down the home straight. Hopefully the flat spot he hit last time doesn’t happen again and he can stay on strongly to win this race. Something was wrong with the well-backed Stellar Magic at Warwick last time out when he was pulled up quickly, but before that he had won 3 races on the bounce for Philip Hobbs.
Selection – Mackleduff – 5/2
2:40: Virgin Bet Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase
Remastered heads the market and he was unlucky last time out when he fell 4 out, as he looked like he was going very well. If he can get a clear round, he has to have a big chance as this is a weaker race than last time out at Newbury. At a big price, Mr Hendricks on stable debut could be worth an each-way bet. Nick Scholfield takes the ride and he has been in good form over the past couple of weeks. He could be the ideal person to get Mr Hendricks back to form and give him a confident ride from the front.
Selection – Remastered – 5/2
*All odds are correct at time of writing.
