Hi all,
The recent disappointing run continued yesterday but hopefully we can turn things around today.
It’s good to see Warwick’s excellent ‘Kingmaker’ card being rescheduled for today. Besides Allmankind and Sky Pirate taking each other on in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (2:50). We also have Grade 1 winning mare Paul’s Saga coming over from France for the Mares’ Listed Hurdle (3:25). However, from a betting perspective it’s the handicaps that interest me most. None more so than the 2m 4f Class 2 handicap chase (3:55) which has attracted a very competitive field.
Normally Monday’s a write off as far as quality racing is concerned. Today is an exception to the rule. In addition to the Warwick card, we also have two Class 2 handicaps on Wolverhampton’s evening card.
Warwick
3:55 – Paddy Power Warwick Castle Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f
Smarty Wild won at Kempton last time. He’s 7lb higher here but has the potential to rate higher. If he’s jumping holds up, he won’t be far away. Richard Johnson opts for the 7-year-old ahead of stablemate Gala Ball.
Admiral’s Secret has become a reformed character, winning his last three starts over fences, including one this season. All three of those wins came right-handed, so the 10-year-old must show he’s as good going this way around. Jockey Alan Johns has struck up a good partnership with the horse with form figures 22111.
Two For Gold won a Grade 2 novices chase here over 3m last season. He’s also run well on two of his three starts this season and wasn’t suited by good ground when pulling up in the Ladbroke Trophy two starts back. Last time shaped much better when 3rd of 11 to Double Shuffle at Kempton again over 3m. The first time cheekpieces look an interesting addition for his drop back in trip. Goes well on soft ground with form figures 41112.
Mister Whitaker has a touch of class as he showed when finishing 3rd of 23 behind Simply The Betts at Cheltenham Festival. This is his first start since being well beaten in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby 107-days ago and connections may have one eye on the Festival again.
Top weight Aso is on a losing run that dates to January 2019 but he did finish runner-up to Frodon in the Ryanair Chase that season. He’s not been at that level of form since but has now dropped 3lb below his last winning mark. The 11-year-old goes well on rain softened ground and would be a danger to all if bouncing back to his best.
Verdict: Not often you get as good a handicap chase on a Monday as this. The thirteen runners have won 33 races between them over fences. Two For Gold needs the cheekpieces to have the desired effect on this drop back in trip. Smarty Wild is getting better with racing over fences and his jumping was better when winning at at Kempton last time. Admiral’s Secret seems to be a reformed character. Return to 2m 4f is a positive and although he’s 6lb higher in a slightly deeper race he’s one for the shortlist.
1pt win – Smarty Wild – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Admiral’s Secret – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
There are also a couple of big field handicap hurdles at Warwick to consider and one handicap at Wolverhampton.
Warwick
2:20 – Orkan showed a good attitude to win at Wetherby 51-days ago. He’s only been raised 4lb for that win and shouldn’t be far away again for a yard among the winners.
Jaisalmer won a C&D handicap (soft) last January. He’s only 1lb higher here and he’s got each way claims at a big price.
1pt win – Orkan – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt each way – Jaisalmer – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
4:30 – Ballymillsy has just had the three starts over hurdles. The 5-year-old put in a career best effort when 2nd of 15 to Paddys Motorbike at Huntingdon back in December. He looked a stayer at Huntingdon and should relish this marathon 3m 2f on his handicap debut.
Wolverhampton
6:30 – Al Muffrih won Redcar’s Zetland Gold Cup, off today’s mark, when trained by William Haggas. Now with Stuart Williams. He shaped like a return to today’s distance would suit when a staying 4th of 7 here last week.
1pt win – Al Muffrih – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John