It’s the biggest day in the calendar for Wetherby as the west Yorkshire track stages its premier jumps meeting and the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase – the first major graded staying chase of the UK jumps campaign.
It has been won in recent times by the likes of Cue Card and Bristol De Mai and today sees Britain’s highest-rated chaser Cyrname bidding for glory.
Racing at Wetherby is from 12.25-3.55 and you can view all seven races via live streaming when logged into MansionBet. Our tipsters gives a view on the Yorkshire action.
12.25 – Price Promise At bet365 Handicap Chase (3m)
Financial Outcome comes here in rude health after a near miss at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) on his return to action early in the month. With Peter Bryan taking off 7lb and the Rebecca Curtis team in good health, his chance is certainly a strong one. Tom George’s AIR NAVIGATOR could have a big run in him from a mark of 118. He ended last season with a decent runner-up effort at Wincanton on soft ground over this sort of trip and tends to go well when fresh from a layoff.
Selection: Air Navigator @ 8/1
1.00 – bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (2m3½f)
He was too keen on his comeback over C&D 17 days ago but the Dan Skelton-trained ASHTOWN LAD still managed to force odds-on favourite Ask A Honey Bee to pull out all the stops before eventually finishing second, way clear of the remainder. That’s probably a good effort against a smart bumper horse and the Skeltons can avenge that defeat by taking care of another Fergal O’Brien inmate here in Brief Ambition, who also finished second on his hurdles bow at Uttoxeter this month – with the winner finding only one too good at Cheltenham last weekend from a mark of 125.
Selection: Ashtown Lad @ 6/4
1.35 – bet365 Handicap Chase (2m3½f)
Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies won this a year ago with Kapgarry and recent impressive Huntingdon winner GUY appears to have plenty going for him despite a 12lb hike for that smooth success. He was an absolute natural at the obstacles and looks a five-year-old to remain onside with for now. Given his excellent record when fresh, Thomas Todd could be the each-way alternative. He ended his term with a personal best in scoring at Market Rasen, has twice won off long layoffs and remains on a feasible mark.
Selection: Guy @ 3/1
2.10 – bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed, 2m)
On ratings, the Grade 1-winning mare VERDANA BLUE simply looks too good for this lot. She’s been in good form on the Flat this term, placed in a soft-ground Ebor at York in August, and finished second-best behind a bang in-form Silver Streak in a Listed event at Kempton 13 days ago. Back against her own sex, she’s got everything in her favour. Whitehotchillifili is best equipped to capitalise if she falters.
Selection: Verdana Blue @ 8/13
2.45 – bet365 Hurdle (Registered as The West Yorkshire Hurdle) (Grade 2, 3m)
He sprung a 50/1 shock to land the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and Lisnagar Oscar is once again relatively unfavoured in the betting for this return. There was no fluke in that win for Rebecca Curtis’ charge and he’s a proper contender, but the penalty he concedes makes life tough today. Roksana is also an open Grade 1 winner for Dan Skelton and proven at this trip but preference is for the likeable WHOLESTONE – second in this in 2017 and still a determined performer. He had a good time over fences last season and, with his record fresh a strong one, may give this a real go back over timber.
Selection: Wholestone @ 15/2
3.20 – bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2, 3m)
The main dish and it promises to be a cracker. Cyrname didn’t get home over three miles in the King George on Boxing Day and was beaten when he fell at Ascot in February. His early season defeat of a half-fit Altior last year can now be picked at. He’s the highest-rated chaser in Britain but has to prove that isn’t an inflated mark. VINNDICATION is a hugely promising and lightly-raced seven-year-old that trainer Kim Bailey truly believes will be a Gold Cup contender. He is very capable fresh and his trainer calls this a ‘pivotal moment’ in his career. The yard are in form and David Bass rides Wetherby better than anyone. They can do the job.
Selection: Vinndication @ 11/4
3.55 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
A host of unexposed sorts in contention here and a trappy contest to finish things off. DO WANNA KNOW won both completed starts over timber last season having joined Charlie Longsdon on the back of finishing second behind the useful Longhouse Poet in his only Irish point-to-point outing. He’s almost certainly got further progress in him and a mark of 125 may be within his reach after a summer wind operation.
Selection: Do Wanna Know @ 6/1
*All odds correct at time of writing.