Hi all,
Saturday’s ITV Racing served up 11 live races, keeping us entertained throughout. While the quality might not have been the highest, it was an enjoyable afternoon of action. The season's best is yet to come, but Saturday was a fair starter.
The persistent November gloom over the UK finally looks set to break on Monday, bringing some brighter skies. However, racing needs rain, with Cheltenham’s November meeting starting Friday and mostly dry conditions in the forecast. A shift to colder weather might also be on the way to, with winter’s first snowfall potentially just around the corner.
Wincanton: Nicholls Dominance
Paul Nicholls was the star of Wincanton’s Badger Beer meeting once again. After his standout performance last year, he trained five winners on Saturday, maintaining his impressive record at the meeting.
Rubaud captured another Grade 2 Elite Hurdle victory. In the early part of the season, he’s a smart hurdler on a sound surface. He was foot perfect at most of is hurdles and crucially quick away from the obstacles particularly at the last hurdle. Although Brentford Hope challenged him until the last, the good ground wasn’t ideal for him, giving Rubaud the edge.
Rubaud was giving his two rivals 6lb, so it was a cracking effort. He’s and now he’s set to transition to chasing. If he’s as agile over fences as he is over hurdles, he could be a contender in the novice chase division, on away from very soft ground.
Al Dancer pulled off a stellar front-running win in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase. Even at the age of 11 he was able gallop his rivals into the ground. As a spectacle it was by far the most compelling watch of the NH season so far.
I thought age might have caught up with Al Dancer, but I was wrong and ignored his brilliant record first time up, he’s now won six times on his seasonal return. Conditional jockey Callum Pritchard deserves credit for his ride, using his 7lb claim skilfully, making him a young jockey to watch this season.
Some of Al Dancer’s rivals faced issues—runner-up Lord Accord made crucial errors, Gustavian (3rd) remains 1-17 over fences. Remastered was still going well before an unfortunate fall four out. Likewise, The Changing Man fell at the 16th, if he’s none the worse for this mishap there will be other days for the big 7-year-old.
King Turgeon Reigns in Aintree Grand Sefton Triumph
King Turgeon produced a standout performance in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, with a great ride by Jack Tudor. Despite carrying a 7lb penalty after a recent Chepstow win, he powered home to secure the Aintree feature. There was a moment around the final bend where it looked like he might be in trouble, but Tudor clearly trusted the horse’s stamina and King Turgeon responded beautifully.
A natural over fences, the 6-year-old’s jumping was impressive, even if today’s National fences don’t test as rigorously as in years past. He’s proving to be a horse with untapped potential over these obstacles, and his trainer David Pipe knows how to target this meeting as I highlighted on Thursday, having won the Grand Sefton back in 2014 and saddling two winners here in 2022. I tipped up King Turgeon for Victor Value subscribers party due to the trainer’s record at the meeting.
Sadly, the thrill of the National fences has gone. It’s no longer the challenge it once was. If the focus is solely on preventing fatalities, then we might as well reconsider the future of jumps racing altogether.
Lord Melbourne Claims November Handicap at Doncaster
The British flat season wrapped up in good style in the Doncaster gloom on Saturday, with the November Handicap providing a thrilling finale. A large field battled to the end, but it was Lord Melbourne, ridden by 5lb apprentice Jack Doughty, who edged out his rivals. This marks his third win from six starts since joining Ralph Beckett’s yard, showcasing steady progress through the season.
One of my picks, Waxing Gibbous (14/1), made a later challenge from the rear to finish second, just a length behind. The other Valvano, also from Beckett’s yard, claimed fifth despite struggling to settle early on, and he can improve further as a 4-year-old.
Room Service Revels in the Mud
Earlier in the day, Room Service claimed the Listed Wentworth Stakes (6f), once again proving his preference for soft ground. With suitable conditions, he has the potential to break through at Group level next season. In Saturday’s column, I mentioned, “I think he wins, but I’d want closer to 7/2 than 5/2 to press the betting button.” He did drift out to 7/2 before being returned at 100/30, so I hope a few of you got on.
In the Gillies Fillies' Stakes (1m 2f), David O'Meara's Estrange initially looked vulnerable two furlongs out, but the further she went the better she looked. A promising winner on debut at Goodwood in August, she relished the return to soft ground, pulling away comfortably at the line. The 7/4 favourite Danielle seemed poised to strike two furlongs out but couldn’t match Estrange’s finish—she looks a bit soft. Looking ahead, Estrange could be even more effective as a 4-year-old, especially if stepped up in trip on soft ground.
When I was a teenager, I always felt a touch of melancholy as the flat season ended. I wasn’t into jumps racing back then, and even now, despite how things have changed, that feeling still lingers.
I’ll be back from holiday for Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Good luck with the week’s bets!
John