Hi all,
A tidy profit made on what had looked a tough day’s punting. Saturday is likely to be tricky with plenty of rain being forecast for Saturday morning. The going at Haydock is good to soft on the jumps course and soft on the flat course. At Ascot it’s good to soft and Lingfield’s going description for its Classic Trials card is good but the going at all three tracks is likely to ease given the weather forecast. You’re going to have to factor in that in your calculations today.
In today’s preview I have looked at all seven races on ITV.
Haydock
It’s a mixed card of flat and jumps action at Haydock this afternoon with the feature race being the Grade 3 Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (3:10).
1:25 – Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 3m ½ f
My initial fancy was the likely favourite Jersey Wonder. The 5-year-old has improved for stepping up in distance. Winning on his handicap hurdle debut at Fontwell and then following up at Exeter over (2m 7f) 22-days ago. He’s an improver but both those wins came on good to firm.
One runner who will appreciate the rain is Corrieben Reiver. The 7-year-old returned from a 16-month absence to win easily at Kelso (heavy) two starts back. He maintained that improvement off a 11lb higher mark when 3½ lengths 2nd of 11 at Ayr last time. The step up to 3m should suit on pedigree and he remains open to more progress off 4lb higher than at Ayr.
1pt win – Corrieben Reiver – 9/1 – Gen
3:10 – Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 1m 7 ½ f
Rowland Ward and Camprond were first and second in handicap hurdle at Aintree last time. They have been raised 10lb & 9lb respectably which demands more improvement from the pair. The form of the Aintree race does look strong and both horses are improvers.
At the revised weights there shouldn’t be much the pair but my preference is for Rowland Ward to confirm Aintree form here. A big field strongly run 2m suits the 5-year-old and he can go close.
Copperless also ran in the Aintree race. He was travelling very powerfully when coming down two out. At the weights he should be very competitive. However, soft ground would be an unknown for the 6-year-old.
1pt win – Rowland Ward – 11/1 @ Bet365
Lingfield
The feature races of Lingfield’s seven race card are the Novibet Oaks Trial (2:15) and Novibet Derby Trial (2:50). ITV are covering three races from Lingfield including both Classic Trials.
2:15 – Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 3 ½ f
Technique finished a head 2nd of 8 to Wirko in Listed race at Epsom last time. She should be capable of more improvement but the winner did nothing for the form at Chester this week and she might be worth taking on here.
There are a few improving fillies who also look capable of more improvement including Ocean Road and Save A Forest. The latter has race fitness on her side but the former looked potentially smart when winning here on the all-weather last time.
John Gosden has saddled the last two winners of the race; He runs Loving Dream & Regent. The former is the pick of Frankie Dettori and ran Oaks fancy Noon Star to 2 ½ length on her seasonal return at Wetherby 13-days ago.
2:50 – Novibet Derby Trial Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 3 ½ f
Adayar finished runner-up in Sandown’s Classic Trial on his return to action 15-days ago. The step up to 1m 4f can bring out more improvement in the colt who won on soft ground at Nottinghm on his final juvenile start.
Aidan O’Brien brings over two in Kyprios & Carlisle Bay. They both get the addition of the first time cheekpieces which could really benefit the latter.
Scope won a Newbury novice on his racecourse debut. That win came on heavy ground so he won’t be too concerned should the rain arrive in the forecast amounts.
3:25 – Novibet Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Should the rain arrive there is a doubt about the participation of the likely favourite Double Or Bubble.
Bounce The Blues made a nice return to action when 5th of 11 at Doncaster last time and did win on soft ground when trained in Ireland. Return to 7f and soft ground will suit.
German raider Axana must be respected although her best form has come over a mile. Returned with a win last time and could go well.
Ascot
The feature race of a competitive Ascot card is the big field Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) (3:40). There are three races being covered on ITV Racing.
1:55 – Exclusively At tote.co.uk British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Dreamloper made an encouraging return to action when 4th off 11 at Haydock on her seasonal reappearance. A C&D winner last season she’s capable of winning off her present mark but soft ground would be an unknown.
Lights On put in a career best when winning at Nottingham last time. Open to further improvement this season. Soft ground would be an unknown for the 4-year-old but her pedigree offers encouragement that she will be effective on it.
Separate was a never nearer third behind Lights On at Nottingham. That was the 4-year-old’s first start for new trainer Julie Camacho. Entitled to be sharper today but the winner is open to more progress.
Poets Lady was 5th to Lights On last time. Can finish closer should the ground ease significantly and might get an easy lead out in front.
Conservatoire won twice on heavy ground last autumn. Open to more progress as a 3-year-old and should give a good account on her return to action.
2:30 – tote+ Pays More At tote.co.uk Buckhounds Stakes (Listed Race) – 1m 4f
The likelihood of soft ground brings Deja, Without A Fight and Albaflora into the mix.
Without A Fight has the benefit of race fitness and ran well over here over 1m 6f last October.
Albaflora finished one place ahead of Without A Fight here last year. The filly could progress further as a 4-year-old but may be better over a bit further.
Tyson Fury is an intriguing contender he won a novice over C&D last season on soft ground and ran like the race was needed when behind Without A Fight on his Newbury return 20-days ago. Lightly raced, just the four career starts and has the size to do better with racing.
1pt each way – Tyson Fury – 12/1 @ Bet365
3:40 – Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 7f
Just a 29-runner puzzle to solve. Plenty in with a chance and here are the five on my shortlist:
Acquitted ran Palace Pier close on his seasonal reappearance last season but didn’t beat a rival on his next two starts. Made another good seasonal reappearance when a neck 2nd of 20 in the Spring Mile at Doncaster. Only up 1lb for that effort and remains ahead of his mark. Softer ground another likely positive.
River Nymph failed to stay the mile when well fancied for the Lincoln Handicap last time. A C&D winner last year. He will be suited to the drop back in distance and won on soft ground at Newbury last August.
Escobar ran well in big field handicaps here over 7f/1m in 2019 winning the valuable Balmoral Handicap (heavy) over a mile, off 2lb higher, on his final start of that year. Plenty of encouragement to be taken from his 3rd of 6 in a tactical race at Haydock last time.
Chiefofchiefs won the 6f Silver Wokingham at Royal Ascot in 2020. Returned from a five months absence with a promising 5th of 10 in the Listed Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster. These big field handicap really suit him although his hold up style means he needs plenty of luck in the run. Has the ideal man in Jamie Spencer for the race. Slight concern that he might be better on a sounder surface though.
Jack’s Point was in good f Buckingham Palace Handicap on his first two start last season, making all the win at Newmarket before finishing 2nd of 23 over C&D in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot. First start for new year trainer and looks set to be the pace angle for those drawn low. Andrea Atzeni is a positive jockey booking and is 5 winners from 19 rides when riding for trainer Tom Clover.
1pt win – Acquitted – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Escobar – 16/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt each way – Jack’s Point – 20/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John