Hi all,

In today's main segment, I'll be delving into Thursday's racing at Perth, Beverley, and Warwick. Also, continuing from my look ahead to the weekend’s action, I'll take a closer look at some of the intriguing races on a potentially exciting Sandown card.

Looking Ahead to the Weekend – Part 2

In Wednesday's column, I covered the Sandown's bet365 Gold Cup, and now I'd like to delve into some other races on Saturday’s card that catch my attention.

Sandown

1:50 – bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m

There should be a good-sized field for a race with £100,000 in guaranteed prize money. The first one to catch my eye was Steel Ally. Steel Allyhas been steadily progressive over hurdles this season. The 6-year-old got off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when winning a Wincanton novice hurdle two starts back. He then improved for going handicapping when finishing a neck 2^nd of 14 at Newbury last month. A 7lb rise for not winning seems harsh but the winner Doyen Quest went in again at Cheltenham last week and the pair pulled clear of the rest. Good to soft ground suits him ideally and I think he’s got a good chance here. He’s 12/1 with sponsors bet365 which look fair odds to me.

Others with claims include recent Taunton scorer and handicap debutant Secret Squirrel, albeit he may prefer a sharper track, and Go To War who bids for the hat trick after wins at Ludlow. Both those successes came on soft ground, but he should be fine on a sounder surface and is open to more improvement on handicap debut. Like Steel Ally he’s 12/1 with sponsors, which looks more than acceptable.

2:25 – Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (For The Menorah Challenge Trophy) – 2m 6 ½

Jungle Boogie looks a fair favourite at 7/2 with bet365. The 10-year-old ran better than his 21-length 6^th of 11 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup suggests. He wasn’t far behind the leaders when making a bad mistake three out. But for that error he might have got into the places. The drop back in trip should be a plus and if handles quicker ground is the one to beat.

I’m not sure about the drop back in trip for The Real Whacker but he was another to run a better than his pulled-up effort in the Gold Cup suggests. Better ground should suit him and if he can get into a good jumping rhythm, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go close in this company.

3:00 – bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7 ½ f

Provided there’s no errors in his jumping then odds on favourite El Fabiolo should have too much pace and class for Jonbon. However, I can't go near him betting wise at his present odds given as we saw at Cheltenham, he’s got one race ending error in him.

With the field likely to cut up and good ground likely, he says hopefully, then I would prefer to be with Boothill each way at 25 /1 with the sponsors. Normally an accurate jumper, the 9-year-old has blotted his copy book on his last two starts by falling. However, with a clear round and decent ground I can see getting into the places.

4:45 – This 2m 4f handicap chase isn’t on ITV but if it’s good ground I want to be with the bold jumping Nickle Back. The 8-year-old jumped his rivals silly to win the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase over C&D two starts back. Ok he only beat one rival in a Grade 1 at Aintree last time. However, he couldn’t get to the front that day and the soft ground wouldn’t have suited him either. Back in a handicap company he will take some pegging back if getting out in front.

If you want my final Saturday selections you can get them here.

Thursday Preview

Onto today’s action starting at Perth. It could be a good afternoon for trainer Olie Murphy and jockey Sean Bowen.

Perth

3:35 – Ollie Murphy and Sean Bowen combined for a winner here on Wednesdayand they could so again with Champagnesuperover. A winner here over fences May 2022, the 9-year-old hasn’t been seen since finishing last of four at Aintree in October 2022. You must take his wellbeing on trust after a 550-day layoff. But if he's ready to roll after his long absence he looks on a winnable mark back over hurdles. Bingoo won an Aintree handicap hurdle on Boxing Day on his seasonal return and although he hasn’t fired on either start since this is calmer waters than when pulling up Coral Cup at Cheltenham last time. Needs to bounce back but could well do so and has to be considered.

4:10 – Sure Touch bids for a handicap chase hat trick after wins at Uttoxeter and Taunton. Up 7lb but he’s progressive and could be another winner for the Murphy/Bowen combination.

4:45 – Secret Trix handled soft ground well enough when returning from a 153-day break to win at Haydock 26 days ago. Has a 7lb rise to contend with and stamina for an extended 3m 1f to be proven. If he stays, he’s the one to beat.

Beverley

3:55 – Sea The Dream showed the benefit of a gelding operation when winning on seasonal return at Thirsk (heavy) 16 days ago. He had 2 ¾ length in hand of Catton Lady but is 3lb worse off with the latter today. Sea The Dream looks the type to continue to improve as a 3-year-old and 2lb rise shouldn’t stop him winning again off his new mark. Catton Lady wasn’t as well positioned as Sea The Dream and this stiffer 7f should suit her. There should be more to come with that run under her belt and she’s got strong claims in an intriguing little handicap.

Warwick

4:20 – Hyland won here (2m 5f) on good ground on seasonal return in October and followed up later that month at Cheltenham (3m).  Ran disappointingly, as did many of the yard's runners, at the Cheltenham Festival in the Pertemps Final. However, he’s down in class here and back on better ground. Looks on a competitive mark and is a strong contender.

Thursday Selection:

Wednesday’s selection Apple Away got the job done in the Listed Mare’s Chase at Perth. It was nice to get a winner for the column as it seems ages since I gave you one.

I was close to putting up Hyland as Thursday's tip. However, I have opted for Champagnesuperover.

Perth

3:35 – Champagnesuperover – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John