Morning all,

The sun was out on Wednesday and I took a nice bracing walk across Ilkley Moor. I have to say it’s done me the world of good. Don’t get me wrong I felt tired. I suppose a combination of the virus and doing very little exercise over the last couple of weeks meant the body wasn’t as prepared for the shock to the system. Still, I feel better for it.

Well, the NHS Covid passes are in now in place for large sporting events. They were in operation at Newbury yesterday. The Racing Post seemed to indicate things went smoothly. Mind you, I’ve seen reports that suggest that crowds weren’t very big. It will be interesting to see how it impacts on attendances at Ascot on Friday & Saturday and of course Haydock on Saturday. I’m hoping to get to Wetherby on Boxing Day. Provided of course the Omicron virus doesn’t put a stop to it. I fear the odds-on racing taking place behind closed doors must be shortening.

Inside today’s main piece. I take a quick look at couple more of Saturday’s big races, including the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock. Plus, there is a selection from Exeter.

Something for the Weekend – Part 2

The going at Ascot for its two-day pre-Christmas fixture is soft, good to soft in places. It’s set to be mostly dry now for the foreseeable future so the going won’t be as testing as it can be at this time of year.

Up at Haydock. Its heavy on the chase course, soft in places and soft, heavy in places on the hurdle course.    

There were 15 handicap chasers left in at Monday’s confirmation stage for the Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (3:00).

Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase – Ascot

Looking at the key race trends. Don’t be afraid if your fancy is a big price. Of the last 11 winners of the race five of them were returned between 16/1 to 33/1 – 5 winners from 32 runners +91 7 placed.  Four of those winners have come since 2016. 

Looking at wins on the prevailing going description. Those with zero wins are 8 winners from 42 runners +80.5 14 placed.

Regal Encore will bid for a third win the race having been successful in 2016 & 2019. He also finished third in last year’s renewal. This could well be the 13-year-old’s final race and its hard to see him being out of the frame. 

The ante post favourite is Belami Des Pictons. The 10-year-old returned from a 21 month lay off with an excellent 6-length 4^th of 14 to Snow Leopardess at Bangor last month. He’s dropped down to handy mark but I wonder if first time up was the time to catch him.

Annsam ran well over hurdles last time. He remains likely capable of better over the larger obstacles and is the mix if he stays 3m.

Jerrysback is an unreliable jumper but if he was to put in a clear round is on decent mark.

Storm Damage is now 2lb below his last winning mark. However, his best form over fences has come at Cheltenham and over a bit further. He was also a disappointing 100/30 fav when pulling up at Cheltenham in October. Although softer ground will suit him.

Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase – Haydock

Twenty-five were left in the big Haydock race at the five-day stage.  Looking at the race trends.  All eleven of the winners of the race were aged 6yo to 8yo.  Those aged 9yo+ are 0 winners from 32 runners 3 placed.

Horses returned 16/1 & bigger – 0 winners from 27 runners 1 placed.

Last year’s winner Sam’s Adventure will bid for back-to-back successes and the 9-year-old will like the soft ground and has likely been aimed at the race again.

Mind you this year’s contest looks potentially deeper. Ante post favourite is the David Pipe trained Remastered who was still travelling well when taking a heavy fall four out in the Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury. If his confidence hasn’t been affected by that mishap, he will take some beating off a mark of 146.

Empire Steel returned from an 8-month absence with an excellent 1 ½ length 2nd of 7 to Strictlyadancer over C&D (Good) last month. Softer ground won’t inconvenience the 7-year-old and he looks sure to be there or thereabouts.

Rath An Luir won both his starts over fences last Autumn. Not seen for 384-days but he had looked a highly promising staying handicap chaser when winning at Carlisle. It not hard to think there could be nice staying pot in the 7-year-old this winter.

Add in the likes of the veteran C&D winner Vintage Clouds. The likeable and consistent The Two Amigos and you have the making of a pre-Christmas cracker for Haydock racegoers.

Thursday Racing

Soft ground at Exeter means some big fields for its seven-race card. The most competitive race looks to be the 3m handicap chase (1:40). A maximum field of 18 have been declared for the race and it’s the one that provides today’s selection.

Exeter

1:40 – You can make some sort of case for plenty of the 18 runners. However, rather unimaginatively  I like the claims of likely favourite No Rematch. The 7-year-old had looked a promising staying handicap chaser when making a winning debut over fences at Chepstow in February. That was his seasonal reappearance last season and he makes his seasonal return here. The softer the ground the better for him and although he’s 9lb higher than for his last win, he looks capable of defying a mark of 126 over fences this season.

Selection: No Rematch – 11/2.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John