Good morning all,
Crowds are back on UK racecourses this afternoon. The racing isn’t exactly stellar this afternoon/evening but for the lucky few who have got a ticket for Ludlow, Haydock, Lingfield or Kempton that won’t matter. It’s a day out at the races for them and it’s a long time since people have been able to do that.
It’s going to be anything but normal. The COVID-19 security will be tight. You won’t be able to drink alcohol unless your having a “substantial meal”. However, in the great scheme of things all that doesn’t matter for the now. All that does is spectators at sport are back. It’s limited numbers for sure but at least we take the first tentative steps back to normality.
How long it will last?
I suspect that the COVID-19 story which has had more twists than your average Tales of the Unexpected episode, isn’t over just yet. I hope I’m wrong.
Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to Saturday’s Becher Chase at Aintree. Plus, I have a selection from Haydock.
A great weekend of jumps action
We can look forward to great weekend of action and you can see most of the good stuff on ITV. It all starts on Friday with Day 1 of the Tingle Creek Meeting at Sandown. The ITV cameras will be covering four races from there and three from Exeter.
On Saturday the big race caravan moves to Aintree as well as Sandown. The feature race at the latter track is the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase and all eyes will be on Altior who bids for his second win in the race.
Up to Tier 2 at Aintree. The world’s most famous fences are back in action for the first time since this meeting 12 months ago. Those watching on ITV will be able watch a bumper eight races from both tracks.
It’s bonus time on Sunday, as the broadcaster will also be covering the best of the action from Kelso and Huntingdon, as well as races from Punchestown and Cork.
William Hill Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 2f
There's still a tingle of excitement when we get to see racing over the National fences. At 1:30 on Saturday the tapes will be raised for the first race over the big fences for a year. I'm sure those who attended this meeting in 2019 could never have envisaged what was about to unfold just a few weeks later.
Age is no barrier to success in the Becher. Nine of the last twelve winners of the race were nine or older. Indeed 3 winners from 16 runners +33.5 where aged 12+.
Experience of the course is also useful with 6 winners from 62 runners + 7.75 18 placed having run 2 or 3 times there in the past.
The problem for ante post punters is the weather is changeable, although it’s hard to think the track will be any better than the soft it's been described as at the time of writing. In addition, some of those entered at the five-day stage have entries in other races.
Walk in the Mill bids for hat trick
Looking at the ante-post race market. Kimberlite Candy (11/2) and Walk In The Mill (6/1) head the betting and you can understand why. The latter bids for a third successive win while the former looked an improved handicap chaser when winning the Classic Chase at Warwick back in January and was a leading fancy for the cancelled Grand National.
Le Breuil (6/1) was 7th in last years race but he does get a 17lb turnaround in the weights with the winner. His form also ties in with Kimberlite Candy and he now gets 27lb from that one compared with when they met at Warwick. Trainer Ben Pauling said the 8-year-old “wasn’t right last season”. If he’s back to his form of two seasons back he will surely win races off a mark of 141.
Plenty in with a chance
Vieux Lion Rouge (16/1) who won this race in 2016 can never be discounted at his preferred course and distance. He’s one of two possible from the David Pipe yard. The other being recent Cheltenham winner Ramses De Teille (8/1). He disappointed in the 2019 National but looks the type for the race.
Smooth Stepper (16/1) won the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, off 6lb lower, and advertised his well being when 5th of 10 at Sandown last month.
The Paul Nicholls trained Give Me a Copper (12/1) goes very well fresh but he also has an entry in the London National at Sandown which I hope he goes for. Crosspark (12/1) is another with an entry for Sandown and he will probably head there in search of better ground.
Coo Star Sivola (16/1) is a bit of a ‘dark’ horse. The 8-year-old was a very progressive handicap chaser two seasons back winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Last season was a bit of a ‘wash out' for him but there were encouraging signs when he finished 5th of 13 at Bangor on his return to action. If building on that performance he’s on an attractive mark.
Wednesday racing
A couple of races at Haydock interest me this afternoon.
Haydock
2:20 – Seeyouatmidnight might be a 12-year-old but hasn't had too much racing for his age. He showed he was still capable of winning at a good level when successful in a veteran’s handicap chase at Carlisle, off 2lb lower in February. If ready to roll first time he won’t be far away. The Dutchman won the valuable Peter Marsh Handicap Chase over C&D for Colin Tizzard in January 2018. Now with Tristan Davidson, the 10-year-old shaped with a bit of encouragement over hurdles last month on his first start 931 days.
2:55 – Minella Charmer third in this race two years ago, won here on his seasonal return last December. The 9-year-old goes well on heavy ground with his form figures on the going being 1311. Oscars Leader is suited to soft/heavy ground and was a runner-up to the potentially smart Mister Coffey at Sandown 24-days ago. That was his first start for 239 days so he is entitled to come on for the run and the yard is in good form. Previous course winner Ebony Jewel who's open to improvement if staying the 2m 3f. Hijack should appreciate the return to soft ground and has a handicap in him off his present mark. He could be the one to take advantage should leaders set too strong a pace.
Wednesday selection:
Haydock
2:20 – Seeyouatmidnight – 9/2 @ Bet365.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk