ITV Racing is covering the Breeders’ Cup live from the US for the first time this weekend, but there is also plenty of UK racing to follow on Saturday from 1pm.
Wincanton
1:50
The Rising Stars Novices’ Chase is all about one horse, Bravemansgame. He was very impressive on his first start over fences last month at Newton Abbot and his trainer Paul Nicholls will be hoping for the same here today.
I can’t see any of the field beating him if he jumps round safely, but if he was to slip up his stablemate Mick Pastor could take advantage.
Selection – Bravemansgame – 17/2
2:25
Fergal O’Brien has made a strong start this season and he has the favourite here with Une De La Seniere. She won with ease on her last start coming away in really good style and another big run must be expected here today.
I’m going to take a chance on the lightly raced Wynn House for Alan King. She has won 3 of her 8 starts and she goes well fresh. Tom Cannon has been in good form recently and he will be in the saddle today.
Selection – Wynn House – 6/1
3:00
As ever the Badger Beer Handicap Chase is ultra-competitive and Cap Du Nord just heads the market for Christian Williams. His first run of the season at Chepstow wasn’t very good, he never got into the race and was tailed off turning for home. He is likely to improve for that run, so he could go close here today.
The Potterman was second in this race last year and he was only beaten by a short-head. This will be his first run of the season, so he might not be fully tuned up here today.
I’m going to go with Some Chaos for Michael Scudamore. He won a veterans race last time out at Chepstow in great style, pulling clear of the field before easing up close home to win very comfortably indeed.
Selection – Some Chaos – 15/2
3:35
The best race on the card today at Wincanton is the Elite Hurdle and last year’s winner Sceau Royal is back to defend his title. He had long season last year running 9 times and 4 of them was over fences. He only finished 4 lengths behind the winner of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March. He kicked off this season with an easy success at Kempton in a listed race, which should have put him spot on for this.
His main danger is Goshen for Gary and Jamie Moore. His season never really went to plan last year, but he did manage to win the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton back in February, which was by far his best run since unseating Jamie Moore in the 2020 Champion Hurdle. It all depends which Goshen turns up today, but I’m going to stick with the classy Sceau Royal.
Selection – Sceau Royal – 5/4
Aintree
1:08
The first live race on ITV comes from Aintree the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle. Dr Richard Newland has the favourite in the race, South Terrace. He has been very well-backed since the market was priced up. He won last time out and was given a great ride by Sam Twiston-Davies who is onboard again today.
The Irish challenger Act Of God could be his main danger, he brings some good form into the race and could be well treated off today’s mark.
Selection – South Terrace – 4/1
2:15
The next race ITV are showing from Aintree is the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences. The money all week has been for the Jonjo O’Neil trained Time To Get Up. He was last seen winning the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, where his was given an amazing ride by Jonjo O’Neil Jnr. He would have been onboard today, but he has suffered an injury, so Tom Scudamore will be in the saddle. If he can repeat that performance, he will probably be your winner.
I’m going to take a chance on Five Star Getaway for Christian Williams and the excellent Nick Scholfield. He was in great form at the end of last season winning 4 on the bounce. He has had a come back run which was disappointing, but I’m pretty sure they had this race in mind and I would expect him to have come on a lot for that run.
Selection – Five Star Getaway – 15/2
Doncaster
1:25
We have 3 races on the flat from Doncaster and the first race is a handicap over 7-furlongs. Tomfre heads the market and he has been running consistently well all year without winning. His last win was in this race a year ago, and I’m sure he will be there or thereabouts today.
Orbaan ran a much better race last time out to finish second. He was held up and was going well 1-furlong out, but could never quite catch the winner. He has the expert onboard for that type of ride today, Jamie Spencer.
Selection – Orbaan – 17/2
2:05
Kings Lynn for the Queen heads the market for the Wentworth Stakes. He finished a close up second last time out in a Group 3 and he will no doubt go very close here today, if he can back that run up.
Tarhib has only had the 3 runs so far, winning 2 of them. Her last run at Yarmouth was just a gentle canter, she ended up going off the 1/40 favourite. She cost over a million pounds as a yearling, so you would like to hope she could go close to winning this.
Selection – Tarhib – 7/1
2:40
The last race of the day from Doncaster is the hugely competitive November handicap. First Light for John Gosden heads the market, he came 7th in the King George V at Royal Ascot and that form has worked out quite well. Since then, he has also won a handicap at Ascot and was well-beaten in a listed race last time out.
Farhan for John Butler has been very unlucky this season, he has finished second on 4 out of his 5 runs. He has been going up in the handicap which is not ideal, but his last run was arguably his best run of the season, finishing 2 lengths behind Siskany in the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket. We’re paying 6 places on the race, so he is probably a great each-way bet.
Selection – Farhan– 10/1 e/w
