Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I look at the best of Saturday’s action at Ascot.
The feature on Saturday is the Grade 1 Ascot Chase (3:35). Six were left in the race at final declaration. They include last year’s winner Fakir D’Oudairies, Shishkin and the progressive Pic D’Orhy.
They have been watering at Ascot where the going was described as good, good to soft in places on Friday.
The ITV cameras are covering four races live from Ascot, three from Haydock and one from Wincanton a seven race Saturday programme.
At Haydock, the highlight is the Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (2.40). Fifteen were left in the race at final declarations. They have been watering at Haydock so It’s good to soft at Lancashire track. Yes, it’s incredible to think that we could be looking at close to good ground at Haydock if there is no rain.
I was looking back at recent running’s of the race, and it’s been run eleven times on heavy going since 2005. Although it was run on good ground when Robinsfirth was successful in 2019.
It’s a similar story at Wincanton where it’s good, for a card that features the Grade 2 Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle (3:12).
Ascot
1:50 – Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase – 3m
Given the prevailing ground not surprisingly just four are to line-up for this Grade 2 contest.
The improving Bold Endeavour who has won his last two starts over fences is stepping out of handicap company but has the same RPR as the favourite and has proven winning form on good ground.
Unlike Bold Endeavour who is unproven beyond an extended 2m 4f there are no stamina doubts about Kinondo Kwetu. He’s won all his five starts over fences including two on good to firm ground. It’s a big step in class but he’s open to further progress.
3:35 – Ascot – Betfair Ascot Chase – 2m 5f)
Looking at the trends which contain – 15 winners from 97 runners 33 placed:
Age: 7-year-old’s – 7 winners from 17 runners +7.75 10 placed.
Odds SP: 6/1 & under – 15 winners from 47 runners +1.59 23 placed.
Favourites are – 10 winners from 15 runners +8.59 11 placed.
Last year’s winner Fakir D’oudairies heads the betting. He’s a solid favourite given their remain question marks over second favourite Shishkin’s well-being. However, if the latter was to return to his best, he would be hard to beat.
Third in the betting is Pic D’Orhy. The 8-year-old has looked a different horse this season winning all three starts including the last two in Grade 2 contests. Granted he needs to prove he’s a Grade 1 horse but going right handed and good ground suit him well.
Millers Bank never got involved when a well beaten 6th of 9 in the King George Vi Chase last time. However, prior to that he had finished a 2 length 2nd of 7 to Pic D’Orhy in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
Sandwiched between the two features are two competitive handicaps. The field sizes for both handicaps have held up remarkably well. Fourteen stand their ground for the Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap). And thirteen line-up for the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (3:00).
2:25 – LK Bennett Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m
Cap Du Nord won a valuable 3m handicap chase at Kempton last February. Back to form effort by the 10-year-old when a length 2nd of 11 in Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last month. Back to down his last winning mark and a big run should be forthcoming.
Phoenix Way finished runner-up in a similar race over C&D last season before winning a handicap chase here (2m 5f). Plenty of encouragement can be taken from both this season’s starts including when a staying on 16½ lengths 4th of 16 to Il Ridoto at Cheltenham last month. Races off his last winning mark and in the mix back at a track that suits. Stablemate Revels Hill is also a big contender. The 8-year-old ended last season looking a progressive staying handicap chaser. And he began this season with an excellent 3 ¾ length 2nd of 13 here over an inadequate 2m 5f. Not able to show his best after being hampered on his next start at Samdown. The first time cheekpieces are applied and he shouldn’t be far away.
Danny Kirwan was an excellent 2 length 2nd of 13 to Our Power over C&D on his seasonal return in October. Not seen since but the 10-year-old is well suited to a sound surface. A strongly run 3m might stretch his stamina but he’s on a good mark.
Gary Moore saddled Vino Griego to win this race in 2013and he’s got Dorking Lad running for him here. The 8-year-old unseated his rider at the first at Kempton 8-days ago. That was his first start at 3m so his stamina for today’s distance must be proven. Not discounted if none the worse for last week’s mishap and looks progressive.
3:00 – Ascot Racecourse Supports Box4Kids Handicap Hurdle – 2m3½f
Djelo a comfortable winner at Exeter on stable debut for Venetia Williams bounced back from a poor run at Haydock when a 3 ¼ length 3rd of 10 at Sandown last month. The step up in trip should suit and he’s a contender.
Fifty Ball ended last season with a handicap hurdle success over C&D (good). And he probably needed the run when pulling up on heavy ground in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton last month. Likely to go well on today’s sounder surface.
I’m not sure about the ground for Petit Tonnerre. He was badly hampered before pulling up in the Lanzarote last time so that run can be excused. Prior to that he’d ran well at Newbury (good) shaping like he was capable of better.
Irish Hill has improved to win his last two over hurdles. Now 6lb higher and up in class than when winning at Ludlow 48-days ago. However, the 5-year-old could be capable of more improvement.
Haydock
2:40 – Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 4 ½ f
Plenty in with a chance as you would expect here. Omar Maretti, a progressive novice handicap chaser last season, returned from a 10 month absence with a solid third at Ayr last month. Shaped that day like a step up in trip will suit.
Notachance’s, last win came in the 2021 Classic Chase at Warwick. He’s struggled since but he was back to form when a 3 ¾ length 3rd of 13 Iwilldoit in that race last month. Stays well and should go well.
Fontaine Collonges showed a liking for the track when winning here (3m 1f) on seasonal return in November. Found 3m around Kempton an inadequate stamina test when a 9 length 4th of 14 to Remastered. Good ground an unknown but today’s trip can bring about further improvement in the mare.
Grumpy Charlie is another potential improver at the trip. A winner at Newbury (3m 2f) two starts back. Probably found the race coming to quick when pulling up in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time.
Small Present a useful staying handicap hurdler, winning twice here. The 8-year-old has just had four starts over fences and posted his best effort so far over the larger obstacles when 3rd of 15 when stepped up to 3m 3 ½ f in the Lincolnshire National. Nicely handicapped on his best hurdles form but yard’s form is worry.
Time To Get Up who won the 2021 Midlands National at Uttoxeter, hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound but he was good second in last year’s renewal of this race. Has pulled up on both starts this season which is a slight concern. However, he’s gone well at this time of the year in the past and he’s become well treated.
Betting Advice:
Ascot
2:25 – Danny Kirwan – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Paddy Power and Dorking Lad – 1pt win – 14/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
3:00 – Djelo – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Bet365 and Fifty Ball – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Bet365
Haydock
2:40 – Time To Get Up – 1pt win – 16/1 @ Bet365 and Fontaine Collonges -1pt win – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
There will be some selections on Sunday so watch your inboxes.
Cheers
John