Hi all,
In today’s main piece I’m previewing one of Saturday’s big races Doncaster’s Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend – Part 1
On Saturday there’s a bumper day of racing at Cheltenham for Trials Day. It’s now an eight race card with the addition of the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase (2.25) from last Saturday’s abandoned Ascot card. Nicky Henderson will be delighted that the race has been salvaged as it’s a penalty kick for Jonbon. In truth it’s a race that didn’t have to be run and adds nothing to the competitiveness of the Cheltenham card.
Like the Clarence House Chase the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (1.50) attracted just six entries at Monday’s final confirmation stage. Unlike the first named race it looks more interesting with the likes Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille and top novice chaser Stay Away Fay among the entries.
There’s no Constitution Hill in the Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle (3.00), which has been moved from the December meeting. Among the ten entries are the Willie Mullins pair of Lossiemouth and Impaire Et Passe and the Harry Fry trained mare Love Envoi.
Elsewhere on the card Burdett Road and Sir Gino were among the entries for the Grade 2 Triumph Trial (12.05).
There’s a Premier Racing Day at Doncaster. The highlights of another eight race card are three Grade 2 contests and the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (3.15). The latter race offers £100,000 in guaranteed prize money and is likey to be one the most competitive races at either track.
ITV Racing are covering four races from Cheltenham and a further three from Doncaster on the main ITV channel.
Doncaster: Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m
Looking at the race trends which contain 12 winners from 162 runners, 37 places. I haven’t dug into the trends in detail but here are a few of interest.
Horses between 10lb and 15lb lighter than the top weight are – 7 winners from 36 runners +102.5 14 placed (+144.72).
Wins at Distance: 1 – 8 winners from 49 runners +73.5, 17 placed
Last Time Out Track: Aintree Ascot & Newbury – 0 winners from 42 runners, 5 placed.
There was a decent entry of 27 at Monday’s final confirmation stage for the race that was formerly known as the Sky Bet Chase.
Last time out winners Victtorino, Famous Bridge, Surrey Quest and Forward Planare to the fore in the ante post betting.
Victtorino
Victtorino has won both this season’s starts at Ascot (3m). Good/good to soft ground suits the improving 6-year-old and a 4lb rise might not prevent the hat trick, if he’s as good going this way around.
Famous Bridge
Is another bidding for the hat trick after a couple wins at Haydock over slightly further than 3m. Not sure the drop to 3m on goodish ground is what the 8-year-old wants though. If the ground eases further, it will bring his stamina into play. Trainer Nicky Richards is 1-4, 3 places with his runners in the race in the past 10 years.
Surrey Quest
Surrey Quest is also seeking the hat trick after wins at Huntingdon and latterly Newbury. Like Famous Bridge he’s another who may need further than a bare three miles. That said given his present vein of form the hat trick could be on.
Forward Plan
Forward Plan built on the promise of his seasonal reappearance when winning over C&D last month. That latter race was marred by omitted fences, but the 8-year-old goes well on flat galloping tracks and a 4lb rise may not prevent the follow up.
Cooper’s Cross, Cap Du Nord and Ga Law Set for Rematch
Cooper’s Cross had Cap Du Nord a length back in second when winning last year’s race. He's been running on unsuitable ground, and inadequate trips so far, this season which means he’s just 3lb above last year’s winning mark. He looks big at 16/1 but he would want a sound surface.
Cap Du Nord is handicapped to finish in front of Cooper’s Cross. He’s been well out of form so far this season but has tumbled down the weights. He could be gone at the game but once more 16/1 looks big if he was to bounce back to last season’s best.
Ga Law was in the process of running a big race when falling at the last 12 months. I don’t think he would have beaten Cooper’s Cross, but it was going to be a good effort. Ran well for a long way when 7th of 20 in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time. Might need to drop a 1lb or two and looks plenty short enough compared to Cooper’s Cross and Cap Du Nord.
Of the rest….
Atlanta Brave fought a driving finish with Surrey Quest at Newbury last time. He’s got a 6lb rise in the weights to contend with for that runner-up effort. However, he’s a progressive staying chaser but further than 3m might be preferable.
Erne River bounced back to winning ways over C&D last month. The application first time cheekpieces seemed to have the desired effect last time. Will they work a second time? On the plus side the 9-year-old has produced some of his best performances at Doncaster.
Verdict:
I haven't had an ante post bet in the race yet and I'm happy to hold fire until I have a better idea of the ground. Cooper's Cross and Cap Du Nord look the overpriced horses at the time of writing. However, the former probably needs good ground like 12 months ago and Cap Du Nord needs a big revival on this season's form. Of those at the front end of the betting the improving Victtorino makes most appeal on the prevailing going. If the ground was to ease further both Famous Bridge, Surrey Quest and Atlanta Brave would be of more interest. If the headgear works for a second time Erne River won't be far away.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John