Morning all,

Not only is Cheltenham back this weekend but so is Aintree on Sunday. The feature race of the Aintree card is Grade 2 Old Roan Chase, whose previous winners include the likes of Kauto Star, Monet's Garden and Albertas Run. Yes, we can safely say the National Hunt game is cranking into gear.

Inside today’s main piece I have an ante post selection for the Old Roan Chase. Plus, I look at the Vertem Futurity and have a selection from today’s meeting at Newmarket.

Something for the weekend – Part 1

If you like your racing action coming thick and fast. You will enjoy ITV’s offering on Saturday as the broadcaster is covering no less than ten races on Saturday afternoon: Five from Cheltenham, three from Doncaster and two from Newbury.

Doncaster’s Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (3:15) is the best race quality wise although no doubt the handicaps will provide most of my bets.

Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes – Doncaster

There’s over £200,000 in guaranteed prize money for this year’s Futurity with just over £118,000 on offer to the winner. The ante post betting is headed by the Aidan O’Brien trained colt Luxembourg. The son of Camelot, who won the race in 2011, made it 2-2 when winning the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last time. He was made the Epsom Derby favourite on the back of that success. However, I wrote in this column:

“The 14/1 available with Paddy Power for next year’s 2,000 Guineas makes more appeal to me at this stage”.

Both his previous runs have come on good ground so softer would be an unknown. I’m hoping and expecting that he can take a further step forward and win this Group 1 contest.

Royal Patronage is next in the betting. The colt followed up a surprise win in the Acomb Stakes at York with an even more surprise win when rallying and catching the useful Coroebus in the final 100yds in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes last month. He can’t be dismissed easily but Luxembourg has the more potential.

A bigger danger to the favourite could be Bayside Boy. The Roger Varian trained colt followed his Group 2 Champagne Stakes success with an excellent 2½ lengths 3rd of 8 to Native Trail in Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last time. He was doing his best work at the finish and should be suited by the step up to a mile.

Monet's Garden Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – Aintree

Pistol Whipped was in great form on good ground in the spring winning at Plumpton & Perth before being beaten a nose at Uttoxeter 147-days ago. He jumped superbly out in front and was four lengths clear coming to the last but was just caught on the line by a stronger finisher.  I’m not sure he will run but he would be of interest if he did.

Last year’s winner Nuts Well will attempt back-to-back wins in the race. The 10-year-old won on his seasonal reappearance at Kelso early in the month, a race he won prior to success here. He’s 4lb higher than 12 months ago but shouldn’t be far away.

Top-weight Allmankind has a touch of class. A Grade 1 winning novice chaser at Sandown last season. He ended the season with an easy win in a Grade 2 at Ayr in April. Not always the best of jumpers but when he gets into a good rhythm, he can be hard to pass. Shaped nicely enough when a length 3rd of 9 to Masters Legacy over hurdles at Chepstow 15-days ago. Should be fitter here and the 6/1 available with William Hill looks too big to me.

Verdict: Pistol Whipped would be interesting on a sound surface if he was to take up this engagement. However, preference would be for Allmankind who looks overpriced.

Wednesday racing

There’s an interesting eight race card at Newmarket this afternoon. Seven of the eight races are for 2-year-olds. If you get a chance to watch the meeting on Racing TV you could well spot some stars for next season.  For example, last year the mile novice (4:25) was won by Hurricane Lane.

There are jumps fixtures from Fontwell and Worcester, while the other Flat action is at Navan and Kempton. I have a couple of interest at Newmarket.

Newmarket

3:50 – Farhh To Shy, put in a career best when beaten a short head 2^nd of 9 here over 7f 18-days ago. The 3-year-old needs to settle better than she did last time over a furlong further today but we know she handles the track and remains on a competitive mark, despite a 2lb rise in the weights.

5:00 – Convection has improved with each of her three career starts and there was a lot to like about her 2-length 5^th of 14 at Kempton 15-days ago.  A mark of 68 for nursery debut looks more than workable and if she handles the track can go close.

Wednesday selection:

Newmarket

5:00 – Convection – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

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