Morning all,
We have some super jumps action this weekend. There’s Grade 1 action with Champion Steeplechase at Down Royal (2.50). The race is likely to see the return of Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. It’s a sure-fire sign that the winter game is now centre stage when the best racing is over jumps.
This side of the Irish Sea, it’s Charlie Hall Day at Wetherby with the feature race the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase going off at 3:05. The Wetherby card also includes the listed Mares' Hurdle (1.55) and the West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.30) with Paisley Park set to return in the latter race. Jump racing returns to Ascot for the first time this season. The Grade 3 Bateaux Gold Cup (3.20) the highlight of a seven-race card and it looks to have attracted a decent entry.
There’s Listed action on the flat at Newmarket but make no mistake it’s the jumps where its at this Saturday.
You can watch the best of Saturday’s action from Wetherby, Ascot and Down Royal on another bumper ten race programme on ITV.
Inside today’s main piece its time to look ahead to the weekend’s big race action. Plus, I have selection from Nottingham.
Something for the weekend – Part 1
Fingers are firmly crossed that we’ll see some decent jumping ground at Wetherby and Ascot this Saturday. The going description at the time of writing is good at Wetherby and good to soft at Ascot. It’s forecast to be mostly dry for the next few days but both courses are expecting a decent amount of rain on Friday & Saturday.
It's the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby that comes under today’s big race microscope.
Charlie Hall Chase – Wetherby
Since 2008 there have been a total of 89 runners in the Charlie Hall Chase. The race never attracts a big field and this year is no different as there were just eight entries left in on Monday. Cyrname has been installed as the ante post favourite in his bid for back to back wins in the race.
Of the 89 runners – Those aged 10+ are 0 winners from 24 runners 2 placed and those with an Official Rating below 150 are 0 winners from 17 runners 3 placed.
So not much can meaningfully be gleaned from the trends.
Cyrname won this race first time up last season but ran absolute shockers on his next two starts. Still, he’s the most likely winner if he can reproduce his effort here 12 months ago.
Shan Blue won his first three starts last season including twice here. He then went onto win the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton. Three miles on a flat track is probably ideal for the 7-year-old provided he doesn’t go too much out in front as he tended to do last season.
Fusil Raffles was a smart novice chaser last season at up to 2m 5f. Ran with encouragement when a 5½ length 2nd of 4 to Bravemansgame in intermediate chase at Newton Abbot last time. Will be better for that run but his stamina for 3m is an unknown.
No stamina issues for Kitty’s Light. An unlucky 2nd of 16 in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on his final start of last season. The 5-year-old returned to action looking better than ever when a head 2nd of 13 at Chepstow earlier in the month. This a big step up in class but he’s reliable and arguably even importantly progressive. If the ground is good or at worse good to soft, he could cause a surprise.
Verdict: Hard to look beyond Cyrname although he’s not the most reliable. If the favourite was to underperform then there will be worst options this weekend than the improving Kitty’s Light.
Wednesday racing
There’s a competitive looking seven race card at Nottingham this afternoon with the feature race being a 5f Class 3 handicap with £35,000 in guaranteed prize money. And, it’s a competitive race despite a short-priced favourite. There’s jumps action this afternoon from Fakenham & Taunton and evening all-weather fixtures at Kempton and Dundalk.
Nottingham
2:15 – Raasel made it 2-2 over C&D two weeks ago. The 4-year-old is improving, only up 3lb for his latest success and must have a great chance of landing the four timer.
Wrenthorpe was a ½ length second to Raasel last time and gets a 2lb pull in the weight. Raasel is open to more progress but if the ground was to ease further then Wrenthorpe could reverse placings. His form figures over C&D are 121112.
Rebel At Dawn won over C&D (good to firm) last season. The 3-year-old failed to stay over 6f at Haydock 12-days ago but is better judged on his ¾ length 2nd of 9 to Boundless Power at Ascot two starts back.
Josies Kid is the sole 2-year-old in the race which means he gets in off a handy low weight, albeit he’s still 5lb out of the handicap. Much improved when winning on his nursery debut at York (soft) 19-days ago. No problem with underfoot conditions for the juvenile and he could do well in sprint handicaps as a 3-year-old. Tough ask against experienced handicappers but not easily dismissed.
Wednesday selection:
Nottingham
2:15 – Wrenthorpe – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
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