Hi all,
Short and sweet this morning. Fingers crossed both Chepstow & Kempton pass precautionary inspections. ITV 4 are broadcasting a bumper ten races from both meetings and Wincanton. Given most other leisure pursuits are out of bounds. Racing can enjoy being centre stage and offer people a bit of a distraction on a gloomy Saturday in January.
I put-up Master Tommytucker, Erik Le Rouge & Dominateur this week for races at Kempton & Chepstow to add to earlier Welsh Grand National ante post selections Bobo Mac & The Hollow Ginge.
Here are my thoughts on some of the races on ITV this afternoon.
Kempton
1:10 – Three of the 12 declared runners have first preferences elsewhere.
I’m not going to add anymore to the race to supplement to Erick Le Rouge although A Toi Phil would be interesting if he could return to anything like his best form when trained by Gordon Elliott.
1:45 – Two of the 15 runners in this 3m handicap chase have engagement’s elsewhere.
Commodore caught my eye earlier in the week but he would have been a stronger fancy on softer ground than he’s likely to get here.
Two For Gold struggled in the Ladbroke Trophy and probably didn’t stay 3m 2f. A return to 3m and slightly calmer waters will be in the 8-year old’s favour and he’s got solid claims.
Rocco must prove he stays a strongly run 3m but shaped well when 2nd of 10 here over 2m 4f in November. He looks on a winnable mark.
Coo Star Sivola was well fancied (8/1) for the Becher Chase at Aintree last time but unseated his rider early in the race. He’s a well handicapped horse on his best form when winning the Ultima Handicap Chase at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival.
1pt win – Coo Star Sivola – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
2:20 – The rescheduled Relkeel Hurdle. Indefatigable interested me each way early in the week but now there are just seven runners it’s a race I can leave alone.
2:55 – Just the four go to the post for the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase I’m more than happy with 5/1 ante post selection Master Tommytucker.
3:30 – Ladbrokes Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 5f
Twenty handicap hurdlers are set to go to post for the latest renewal of the Lanzarote Hurdle.
Recent Leicester winner One True King looks a fair favourite and should be suited by the step to today’s 2m 5f trip.
Everglow is open to plenty of improvement but he does take on some solid handicappers here on his handicap debut.
Glynn is another making his handicap debut after just two starts over hurdles. A mark of 134 looks workable but like Everglow will find a big field handicap a new experience. Trainer Nicky Henderson has saddled the winner of this race three times since 2013.
Polish needs to jump better than he has so far on three starts this season. If he does so the 6-year-old does have each way claims.
Shang Tang ran well when 3rd of 18 at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance before beating three rivals in an Ascot novice hurdle. Fell at the first at Wincanton last time but if none the worse for that mishap looks interesting on just his third start in handicap company.
Castle Robin has improved with each of his four starts this season winning at Carlisle and following up at Cheltenham. The 6-year-old put in a career best when 2nd of 12 at Ascot 22-days ago. This is a better race and the trainer form could be better but he’s got each way claims.
Hunter’s Call is another with each way claims. He normally travels strongly but doesn’t often find as much as seems likely at the end of his races.
Verdict: Plenty in with claims. Everglow & Glynn are both unexposed and could be better than their opening handicap marks. Shang Tang is one for the shortlist and the improving Castle Robin looks overpriced.
1pt win – Shang Tang – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt each way – Castle Rock – 18/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Everglow – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
ITV are covering a couple of races from Wincanton but nothing appeals from a betting perspective.
Chepstow
12:50 – Recent Sandown third Farrants Way will have his supporters in this 2m 7 ½ f handicap hurdle.
Exploiteur comes into the race looking for a hat trick after wins at Ffos Las and C&D 35-days ago. Up 6lb in a better race but the 7-year-old goes very well in heavy ground (both wins) and is open to further progress.
Flashjack is just 1lb higher than when winning at Haydock last December. He goes well on heavy ground and this looks easier than either of his last two assignments.
Oscar Asche returns to hurdling after failing to complete on three chase starts this season. He’s only had five starts over the smaller obstacles and is unexposed in handicap company. Each way claims at big odds.
1pt each way – Oscar Asche – 28/1 @ Bet365 & Coral (paying 3 places ¼ odds)
3:10 – Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 6 ½ f
I won’t go into the race again, as I have already done so far earlier in the week, my three ante post darts Bobo Mac, The Hollow Ginge & Dominateur stand their ground which is half of the battle in ante post betting.
Of the rest Prime Venture who was 4th in the race 12 months ago and has claims again. He finally got his head in front at the 13th attempt over fences when beating two rivals at Sedgefield on his seasonal reappearance in November. He’s tempting but not enough for putting up as a further selection.
Not sure if there will be any selections tomorrow so watch your inboxes
Cheers
John