Hi all,
There are nine races live on ITV this Saturday. Five of those come from Ascot, where the highlight is the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase (3:35). Three races are from Haydock, featuring the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial (3:15), and one race from Wincanton – the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle (1:35).
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the best of Saturday’s action.
Ascot
The two ITV handicaps provide the best betting opportunities on the Ascot card unless you’re a backer of the short-priced favourites.
1:15 – Not my sort of race, but if the ground isn’t too soft I would fancy Etna Bianco to return to winning ways.
1:50 – With ante post favourite Thomas Mor now a non-runner, it’s between The Jukebox Kid and Western Knight for me. Joe Tizzard has won two of the last three running’s of the race, so Western Knight commands respect, but this looks The Jukebox Kid’s to lose.
2:25 – Lightningupourdays, Fiercely Proud and Range are the three on my shortlist. There’s just enough juice in their current odds to back all three.
3:00 – Joyeux Machin is still waiting for his first win since joining the Dan Skelton yard and today could be the day he puts that right. Threeunderthrufive isn’t the most consistent of handicappers, but he was only beaten a nose in this race last year. The more the ground dries out, the better his chance. Your Darling, 2 from 3 at Ascot, was back to form when beaten a neck at Kempton (3m) last month. Nudged up 1lb, but he’s more than capable of winning this off his current mark on a going day.
3:55 – Barring accidents, it’s a match between Jonbon and Pic D'orhy. If the latter were around 11/4 I would be interested, as he might get his own way out in front, but at 15/8 there’s no juice in the price and I think Jonbon can gain a twelfth Grade 1 success.
Haydock
A Friday treble at Kelso for the Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore yard will be a confidence booster for backers of Myretown in the William Hill-sponsored Grand National Trial.
1:28 – Not on ITV, but recent C&D winner Throatlash looks to have a good chance of landing the four-timer.
2:05 – If Kabral Du Mathan stays the 3m, he wins. Soft ground is ideal for Lud'or, who can get into the money. Another who could hit the frame is last year’s runner-up Beauport.
2:40 – Dalston Lad and Reckless Spending are sure to be popular, alongside Legendary Luke who is open to further progress stepped up to 3m. Whiskey Yankee is another who should be suited by three miles and, at the prices, is the pick.
3:15 – I previewed the race on Wednesday. If his jumping holds up, Myretown can take advantage of what looks a good mark. Monbeg Genius isn’t the most consistent of chasers, but he’s capable of winning on a going day. Grand Albert is open to improvement for the step up to a marathon trip and could be running into form.
3:50 – Another race not on ITV but its a cracker of a Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier. Just half a length separated Go To War and Doughmore Bay when first and second at Windsor last month and there shouldn’t be much between them again at the revised weights. Nurse Susan looks to be over her physical issues and comes into the race having won her last two starts and should make a bold for the hat trick. Stay Away Fay was back to form in the first-time blinkers when runner-up to Dalston Lad over C&D last month. Needs the blinkers to continue to have the desired effect and if they do, he’s handicapped to go close.
Wincanton
1:35 – Alexei should win this if he handles the heavy ground. If he doesn’t, Secret Squirrel, off for 12 months, could be the one to take advantage.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John