Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m previewing a cracking day of racing for jumps fans.
ITV Racing have ten live races on Saturday afternoon: five from Wetherby, four from Ascot, and the Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase from Down Royal. As a bonus, ITV4 will also show three Breeders’ Cup races live on Saturday evening. It’s shaping up to be a packed day for racing fans.
I’ve already got my Breeders’ Cup preview sorted, and my Del Mar selections went up earlier this week. That means I could focus fully on Saturday’s action at Wetherby and Ascot and two cracking cards to dive into.
Most of my bets are going to be at Ascot but I’m off to Wetherby for Charlie Hall Day and the card is a good one. Here’s my thoughts on the five live ITV races.
Wetherby
I'm posting this on Saturday and its raining heavily just a few miles from Wetherby so it will be interesting to see if the rain has got into the watered ground.
1:15 – Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m3½f
Only nine go to post but it’s a cracking contest to kick off the Charlie Hall card. Two past winners return – Geryville (2021) and Ladronne (2022) – and they face several unexposed types making their chase debuts.
Lightning Flash heads the betting after quick back-to-back wins at Perth and Chepstow, the first over hurdles and then on his chasing bow. He handled fast ground at Chepstow but seems ground versatile, and the 5yo looks open to further progress. Up 5lb, he’s the one to beat, especially as his yard has a fine record in this race – two wins and a second since 2018.
Strong Foundations has the size and scope to do well over fences. He won first up last season and the yard’s record with Wetherby chasers (2-7 in the last five years) adds encouragement. He’s one to note on debut.
Top Target returned from a 754-day absence when fourth at Warwick in April and showed plenty of ability remains. He now goes chasing for a yard that won this race in 2023 and is dangerous if fully tuned.
Pep Talking appeals most at the prices. A four-time chase winner last season, he shaped well on his return when runner-up at Huntingdon. He’ll strip fitter now, races off a workable mark of 102, and Gavin Sheehan – who’s 8 from 23 for the yard and three from three on this horse – is back in the saddle. At around 16/1 he looked decent value, but that price has now gone.
1:50 Wetherby – bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) – 2m
Just three runners but it’s still an interesting clash. Lucky Champion Hurdle Heroine Golden Ace returns as the odds-on favourite and will be hard to beat if anywhere near her best.
Her main market rival Kateria has smart form over further and represents a yard that’s won this race four times since 2016. The trip is on the sharp side for her and she’s better over 2m4f, but she could have a fitness edge.
Dysart Enos completes the field. She’s a useful handicap hurdler on her day who likes good ground and arrives fit from a recent run on the flat. They say back the outsider in a three-runner race, and while I’m not sure it’s a race I will have a bet in that could prove to be a profitable move.
2:22 – bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The West Yorkshire Hurdle) – 3m
A small but quality line-up for the West Yorkshire Hurdle. Strong Leader sets a high standard. The former Grade 1 winner stays well, won first time up last season, and represents the in-form Olly Murphy yard. He’s the one to beat on form.
Potters Charm is a big threat if he gets the trip. A top-class novice hurdler last season, he racked up four wins including a Grade 1 at Aintree. Good ground is ideal, but he must prove he stays three miles.
Take No Chances adds depth. She won the Mares’ Hurdle on this card last year and ran a cracker when third to Lossiemouth in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Fit from a recent Chepstow run three weeks ago, she’s trained by a man who’s won this twice since 2020.
2:57 – bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) – 3m
The race time aside, 2:57 for Saturday’s feature Chase is an insult to this historic race, it’s not bad looking race despite just the six runners.
Protektorat heads the official ratings and the ante post betting, and connections will be hoping the rain comes to ease the ground.
Djelo remains unexposed at three miles but he’s another who might prefer slightly easier ground. The question is whether he’ll need the run and he might have a bigger target like the King George in mind.
The Real Whacker, last year’s winner, would hold claims of a repeat on good ground. However, if the rain arrives then his chance is diminished. Races in the first time cheekpieces.
Hewick brings race fitness, having won over hurdles at Thurles just 16 days ago. A sound surface suits him perfectly. If he gets those conditions, he’ll be a big player.
Pic D'Orhy isn’t as ground dependent as The Real Whacker, but he still prefers it on the quicker side. This will be his first try beyond 2m6f. Trainer Paul Nicholls is confident he’ll stay three miles, and I tend to agree. It’s a race that Nicholls has won five times.
3:30 – Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m
Don’t Mind If I Do showed plenty of ability on three hurdle starts last season, winning at Wincanton on his second start. Off 275 days, he might need the run, but he could improve on handicap debut for a yard among the winners this week.
Top weight Go Dante drops in class after winning the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March. The 9yo is the class act here but usually needs a first run of the season and that could be the case again here.
Max Of Stars made all over C&D 17 days ago for a seventh career hurdle win. She prefers sound ground and could get another uncontested lead here. Up 2lb and in a better race but she’s not discounted.
Pure Gold is in the form of her life after wins at Perth and Hexham. Up 8lb and in a better race, but she’ll like the good ground and merits respect given her current vein of form.
Irish raider Half A Chance is 1 from 1o over hurdles but has been knocking on the door in Irish handicaps on his last three starts. Good ground suits the 6yo and he wouldn’t be winning out of turn.
Saligo Bay finished 2 lengths third to Max Of Stars last time and is 2lb better off here. He’s in form and another with a chance in an open looking race.
Saturday Selection:
Wetherby
2:57 – Pic D'Orhy – The rain seems to have arrived and the selection has been weak in the betting but I'm sticking with him to provide Paul Nicholls with a sixth Charlie Hall success.
I’ll be back on Monday with a look back at Saturday’s big race action.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John