Hi all,
A good day for Venetia Williams at Ascot yesterday with a tasty double. How the second of her winners Kapga De Lily was allowed to go off 13/2 was amazing for those on with BOG bookies.
A good start to the weekend and let’s hope it can continue today.
The eyes of the jump racing world will be on Haydock today as the Lancashire track hosts its best jumps meeting of the season the Betfair Chase meeting. ITV are covering four races live from Haydock including the Grade 3 stayers’ handicap hurdle (2.25). The days feature race of course the Grade 1 Betfair Chase (3.00). A race where Cheltenham Gold Cup Runner-up A Plus Tard faces seven rivals. Earlier on the Haydock card high class novice chase prospect Bravemansgame takes on three rivals in the Betfair Graduation Chase (1:50).
TV will also show two races live from Ascot, including the Grade 2 1965 Chase (2.05) and a 2m1f handicap chase (3.15). The Grade 2 Chase see’s the seasonal reappearance of Dashel Drasher who must give 6lb to all but one of his rivals and they include Defi Du Seuil who bids to get his career back on track after two poor performances last season.
Arguably the best horse in action today isn’t running at either Haydock or Ascot. Bob Olinger makes his long-awaited debut over fences in a beginners’ chase at Gowran Park (12:00) and he’ll be long odds on to beat his 17 rivals.
I have had a look at four races at Haydock and three Ascot in this preview. You can find my Saturday bets at the end of the main piece.
Let’s begin at where else but Haydock.
Haydock
The ground is good to soft, good in places on the hurdle track at Haydock for Betfair Chase Day.
12:40 – Because We’Re Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 3m 4 ½ f
Captain Drake shaped like his seasonal reappearance was needed over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month. We know he stays well, as he showed when runner-up in the 2019 Midlands Grand National and a 6 lengths 4th of 18 to Secret Reprieve in last season’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Capable of big run back over fences and a marathon trip
Defuture Is Bright, twice a winner over fences last season. Heended his campaign with a personal best when a ¾ length 2nd of 11 here (good) last April. Not seen at his best on either start this season but his 7th of 17 at Cheltenham was more encouraging and he’s 3lb lower here. The suspicion is there’s a race in 7-year-old off around his present mark.
Verdict: Captain Drake is very much a contender but I just prefer the claims of Defuture Is Bright.
1:15 – Betfair Pays Tribute To Andy Stewart Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m 3f
Our Surprise travelled like a well handicapped horse when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 14 at Wetherby three weeks ago. That was the 6-year-old was making his handicap debut that day and given how keen he was he did well to still be in with a chance in the 110yds. Clearly talented but he did hang badly in the final stages at Wetherby which possibly cost him the win. The first-time hood is applied and if he gets a strong pace to chase could be the answer.
Tommy’s Oscar a useful novice hurdler last season. Has started this season in good form, including when an 8-length 3rd of 9 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle last time. The 1f drop back in trip should suit the 6-year-old who’s capable of winning a handicap hurdle like this off his present mark.
Verdict: The drop back in trip should suit Tommy’s Oscar. Our Surprise looks on a good mark based on his Wetherby run and won on good ground at Newton Abbot in April.
2:25 – Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 3m ½ f
Irish raider Rightplacerightime has only had three starts since switching to Emmet Mullins all over fences. Opened his account over fences when making all to win a Fairyhouse beginners chase 18-days ago. Sneaks into the race at the bottom of the weights and could be well handicapped horse over hurdles, if reproducing his form back over the smaller obstacles, for a shrewd trainer.
Flight Deck made it 3-7 over hurdles when winning at Wetherby on his seasonal return last month. He’s up just 3lb for that success and although is a much better race the 7-year-old doesn’t have many miles on the clock and has only had two starts beyond 2m 4 ½ f.
Orbys Legend looked a very useful hurdler in the making when winning the valuable Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month. The 5-year-old produced a good turn of foot coming to the last to win his race that day. It was good ground at Chepstow but he did win on good to soft & soft last season. He’s just had four starts over hurdles and is open to further progress.
Dans Le Vent ended last season with a career best when 2nd of 22 at Aintree in April. Matched that level of form on his seasonal return when a 4 lengths 2nd of 12 in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las. He was doing his best work at the finish last time and should be suited by 3m.
If The Cap Fits has a touch of class and must be respected off a mark of 149. The top-weight won a Grade 1 hurdle at Aintree in April 2019 and a Grade 2 at Ascot later that year. Didn’t look totally at home over fences last season. Has returned to action in good form back over hurdles finishing a 9-length 2nd of 6 to Brewin’upastorm at Aintree earlier this month. Three miles, a flat track and decent ground are optimum conditions so he’s very much one to keep onside.
Verdict: Rightplacerightimecould be the proverbial handicap blot. Dans Le Vent races like he will be suited by 3m. Top-weight If The Cap Fits ticks plenty of boxes and has a touch of class. Both Flight Deck & Orbys Legend are going the right way. No issues with stamina for Flight Deck but Orbys Legend must prove it.
3:00 – Betfair Chase (Grade 1) – 3m 1 ½ f
A Plus Tard is the class horse of the race on the back of his Gold Cup second. However, this is his seasonal reappearance and he’s yet to win off a 60+ day off.
Bristol De Mai just loves Haydock and this is his Gold Cup, on soft or heavy ground I think he would win but good to soft, has won on it in the past, I’m not sure.
Next Destination, a second season chaser just had the three starts over fences last season and ended last season with a 1½ lengths 2nd of 12 to Galvin in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. However, that did come over 5f further and on a stiffer track.
Royal Pagaille is another who goes well here 2-2 and I have long thought this would be an ideal race for the 7-year-old. However, his best form has come on soft/heavy and quicker ground will put his jumping under pressure.
Waiting Patiently has switched from the Ruth Jefferson yard and would be having his first start for Christian Williams. He was never the easiest to keep sound but he’s got the back class to go close if retaining his ability and first time could be time to catch him.
Imperial Aura beat Galvin at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. He won his first two starts last season but unseated his rider at Kempton and pulled up in the Ryanair Chase on his final start, was said to have bled. Best form so far over shorter but stays 3m and isn’t totally out of it.
Verdict: It’s Bristol De Mai’s Gold Cup and even on good to soft shouldn’t be far away in his bid for a fourth win in the race. Gold Cup runner-up A Plus Tard is the best horse on ratings and has been aimed at this race although he’s tended to need his seasonal reappearance in the past. This could be the day to catch Waiting Patiently on his first start for a new yard. Next Destination was a useful novice chaser last season but a stiffer stamina test would suit him better and Imperial Aura isn’t out of this given he does go well fresh.
Ascot
It’s good, good to soft in places at Ascot.
2:05 – Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 5f
Just the six are set to go to post for the feature race of Ascot’s seven race card. Dashel Drasher made it 4-4 at Ascot when winning the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February. Might prefer more ease in the ground ground but has won on good/good to soft in the past. He must give 6lb a way to four of his rivals on his seasonal return but he could be capable of doing it.
Defi Du Seuil twice a Group 1 novice chase winner, including the JLT Novices’ Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival. Won his first three starts the following season including the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown and the Clarence House here. Two poor runs last season but he’s had wind surgery since and gets that handy 6lb from Dashel Drasher. Looks worth another try back over this trip 5-6 over 2m 5f/2m 5 ½ f.
Lostintranslation was winning the Betfair Chase two years ago and ended that season finishing third in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Completely lost his way last season and looked regressive but has had wind surgery since his last start and although this will be on the short side for him if the breathing operation has had the desired effect he can’t be ruled out. He should like the ground and the yard has already revived a couple of horses this season.
Pistol Whipped was in super form in handicap company in the spring winning at Plumpton & Perth before being beaten a nose when 2nd of 18 at Uttoxeter in May. He jumped superbly out of front in Uttoxeter, under top-weight of 11-12. This is a big step up in class for the 7-year-old but he goes well fresh and even more importantly his form figures on good ground are 10112.
Verdict: All the six runners have a few questions to answer. Dashel Drasher makes his seasonal reappearance. Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation have questions to answer regarding their well-being. Pistol Whipped has a class question mark against his name but will like the ground and should be fit and ready for this.
2:40 – Coral Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (Grade 2) – 2m 3 ½ f
Cesarewitch winner Buzz return to hurdling. The 7-year-old ended last season with a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 11 to Abacadabras in the Garde 1 Aintree Hurdle. Could develop into a Stayers Hurdle contender if he wins this. Ground versatile, he’s won here over hurdles and looks the one to beat.
Goshen returns. He going the right way around here but ended last season with poor runs at Cheltenham and Punchestown so has questions to answer and may need softer ground.
Mollys Ollys Wishes has returned this season in great form winning a 7-runner Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Wetherby last month. Might prefer softer ground and this is a lot tougher away from her own sex. However, she’s gets the mares’ allowance and can’t be totally dismissed.
Song For Someone won this 12 months ago on his seasonal reappearance and improved again to win the Garde 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham the following month. Quicker ground this time and it looks a hotter race than last year.
Verdict: Song For Someone won this last year but this looks a much stronger renewal. Molly Ollys Wishes is in form but this tougher than last time. However, its hard to look beyond Cesarewitch winner Buzz.
3:15 – Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 1f
Just the seven runners for this handicap chase but it’s a competitive looking contest despite the small field.
Before Midnight made all to win at Cheltenham (good) last month. He’s been raised 8lb for that win but there could be more to come from the 8-year-old and he should get another uncontested lead here.
Sky Pirate was 6-lengths behind Before Midnight in second at Cheltenham but does get 8lb here. He shaped like the run was just needed and although he’s 0-4 going right-handed looks set to be go close.
Amoola Gold and Monsieur Lecoq were first and second in a C&D handicap last time. A head separated the pair at the line and Monsieur Lecoq gets 1lb from the winner. There shouldn’t be much between the pair but Amoola Gold does get the first time cheekpieces and his Ascot record is now 121.
Sully D’Oc AA was a well beaten 5th in the Ascot race but may have needed the race that day and should get closer on better ground but he’s 8lb higher than when winning at the Punchestown Festival.
Paul Nicholls saddled Capeland to win this in 2019 beating one of Nicholls runners Diego Du Charmil. A previous C&D winner Diego Du Charmil had a hurdling campaign last season and likely needed the run when dropping out tamely in the Welsh Champion Hurdle last month. Back over fences and he has won four times on good ground. Dolus’s best run last season came when a 1 length 2nd of 7 at Sandown in February, off 4lb higher. Well, treated on his best form and has won three times on good ground but shaped poorly on his reappearance at Chepstow last month.
Verdict: You can make some sort of case for all seven runners. There shouldn’t be much between Before Midnight & Sky Pirate on their Cheltenham run with a slight preference for the latter. Dolus and Diego Du Charmil are lurking on good marks, in particular the latter. However, neither come into the race in form.
Betting Advice:
Haydock
1:15 – 1pt win – Our Surprise – 4/1 – Gen
2:25 – 1pt win – Flight Deck – 8/1 @ Bet365 – 0.5pts win – Dans Le Vent – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook and 1pt win – If The Cap Fits – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Ascot
2:05 – Pistol Whipped – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
3:15 – 1pt win – Sky Pirate – 9/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook and 0.5pts win – Dolus – 16/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
Cheers
John