Hi all,
I’ve written Saturday’s preview before racing on Friday, so I don’t know who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
I’ll be looking back at the Cheltenham Festival in Monday & Tuesday’s columns.
Inside today’s main piece, I’m focusing on the ITV races from Uttoxeter.
Saturday's Racing
Saturday’s highlight is the Jennings Bet Midlands Grand National (3.00) at Uttoxeter’s biggest meeting of the year. Even on drying ground, the 4m 2f marathon remains a stamina test. ITV4 are showing four races from Uttoxeter and further three more from Kempton.
It’s not Cheltenham-level quality, but there are betting angles to explore.
Oh, and on Sunday, just 48 hours after the Festival ends, the Irish Flat season kicks off at the Curragh, with the Irish Lincolnshire (3.45) headlining an eight-race card. The return of the Flat season always gets me excited. I enjoy the jumps, but the Flat is where my passion truly lies. With the Curragh starting things off on Sunday, the real action isn’t far away.
Uttoxeter
(No view on the 1:50 Handicap Hurdle)
2:25 – JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (2m 7½f)
Joyeux Machin caught the eye when second to Altobelli at Ascot (2m 3½f). He shaped as though further would suit and could go one better for a yard that won this last year.
Red Dirt Road improved for 3m when winning a valuable Sandown handicap. A 9lb rise makes things tougher, and this is quicker ground.
Chasingouttheblues has enjoyed a strong novice season, winning two of his last three. He was hampered three out when third to One Big Bang at Haydock. That form is working out well—the winner placed 5th in the Pertemps Hurdle, and the runner-up won the Coral Cup. Unexposed as a stayer, he’s the pick.
3:00 – Midlands Grand National (4m 2f)
Mr Vango is progressive staying handicap chaser who improved again to with the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock last time. Likely to relish the step up 4m+. However, he does like the mud and on good to soft could be a non-runner.
Tanganyika has won his last two and is still improving over fences. A 9lb rise looks fair, and if he stays, he can win.
Apple Away improved for 3m 4f when second in the Haydock Grand National Trial last time. Should relish this test and is a big player.
Knockanore relished 4m when winning the Eider Chase and is unexposed over marathon trips. Has won at Uttoxeter over shorter and has solid claims.
My Silver Lining has been out of form this season but is 7lb lower than when third in this race last year. If she bounces back to last season’s best, she’s got a chance.
3:35 – Novices’ Handicap Chase (3m)
Walk On Quest jumped well when making it 4-4 over fences at Kelso (2m 5 ½f) and remains well treated. Big player if he stays.
Latenightrumble has run well in defeat the last twice and would have won last time but for a stumble on landing after the last. More to come from beyond 3m.
Eyed is on the up on his last four starts (form figures 1F11). Up 5lb for last month’s Kempton success but going the right way and should go close if as good going left handed as he is the other way.
Isaac Des Obeaux could be interesting in first-time cheekpieces, if ridden aggressively from the front, and looks suited to a good stamina test.
I’ve got a handful of strong fancies for tomorrow’s Curragh card. If you want them, along with my selections for the rest of the month, you can get them here.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John
waste of time trying to state that removing horses from a short-list because of pre conceived GOING requirements is not the best way forward so who wins the big race MR VANGO, and your comment about becoming a non-runner because of the going being Good to Soft falls on its face. Forget Going as a trend to delete horses, it should be a help but I know everyone will still apply it……shame you picked losers but another blank day I assume on VV