Hi all,
Inside today's main piece you can ready my thoughts on the best of Saturday's action.
Saturday's main jumps action centres around Wincanton, where the Badger Beer Handicap Chase (3:30) takes top billing, supported by two Grade 2 races—the Rising Stars Novices' Chase (2:23) and the Elite Hurdle (2:55).
Aintree brings a strong jumps card too, with the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2:40) over the famous Grand National fences. Meanwhile, Doncaster hosts the final big flat event of the British season, the Virgin Bet November Handicap (3:45). Although the race has lost some prestige since Champions Day,
ITV Racing will cover an impressive lineup of 11 live races, with five from Wincanton, three from Aintree, and three from Doncaster.
With many horses making seasonal returns on good ground and non-runners, I'm treading cautiously with jumps selections this weekend.
Wincanton
Good ground is expected for Badger Beer Day, with ten declared for the feature handicap chase and 13 for the Richard Barber Memorial Mares' Handicap Hurdle. The other races feature smaller fields, including just three for the Elite Hurdle.
Trainer Anthony Honeyball, who took last year's Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton, returns with a strong hand in today’s race (3:30). He saddles three of the ten runners: Forward Plan, Lord Baddesley, and Gustavian.
Aintree
Aintree is likely to see good ground, with the possibility of softer patches. Looking at the going stick reading of 7.6 on Friday morning it looks there won’t be much soft around.
Despite the prospect of good ground, the Grand Sefton Handicap has a solid field of 13, not far off its ten-year average of 14. The three that I like most are Sure Touch, King Turgeon and Gaboriot. However, you can make some sort of case for most of the 13 runners in the Aintree feature race.
Doncaster
Soft ground awaits for the closing day of the flat season at Doncaster. With 23 declared for the November Handicap, it’s a nostalgic reminder of days past with the largest field on Saturday. It’s shaping up as one of the day’s most intriguing handicaps.
Room Service thrived as anticipated on his return to soft ground, producing a career-best performance on Racing Post Ratings when finishing a close ¾-length second of 22 in the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap at York 28 days ago. This progressive gelding has shown consistency over 6f on soft ground, with form figures of 112. With a well-run race—though not a given—he looks well positioned to secure a victory in the Listed Wentworth Stakes (1:20). I think he wins but i would want 7/2 to press the betting button.
I'll be back on Monday to look back on a busy Saturday of racing.
All the best,
John