Hi all,
We some super jumps action this weekend. There’s Grade 1 action with Champion Steeplechase at Down Royal (2.50). The race is likely to see the return of Gold Cup winner Minella Indo. It’s a sure-fire sign that the winter game is now centre stage when the best racing is over jumps.
The side of the Irish Sea, it’s Charlie Hall Day at Wetherby with the feature race the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase (3:05). The Wetherby card also includes the listed Mares’ Hurdle (1.55) and the West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.30) with Paisley Park set to return in the latter race. Jump racing returns to Ascot for the first time this season. The Grade 3 Bateaux Gold Cup (3.20) the highlight of a seven-race card and it looks to have attracted a decent entry.
There’s Listed action on the flat at Newmarket but make no mistake it’s the jumps where its at this Saturday.
You can watch the best of Saturday’s action from Wetherby, Ascot and Down Royal on another bumper ten race programme on ITV.
Let’s begin at Wetherby.
Wetherby
The first five races on the Wetherby card are being broadcast live on ITV.
1:20 – bet365 Handicap Chase (Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Qualifier) (Class 3) – 2m 3 ½ f
Gericault Roque & Revels Hill both make their chase debuts against some more experienced rivals. The former made it 2-3 over hurdles when winning at Sandown in March. The step up to 2m 3 ½ f should suit the 5-year-old who can make up into better chaser than hurdler. Trainer David Pipe has had a quiet month 0-19 in the past 14-days. Revels Hill got off the mark over hurdles at the fifth attempt when winning at Warwick in April. The ground was good last time so he does need to show that he can be as effective on an easier surface.
Of the more experienced chasers Corran Cross makes most appeal. The 6-year-old won twice over hurdles and chase debut for Denise Foster over the summer. Shaped with encouragement on his stable debut when a 5¾ lengths 4th of 6 at Worcester 23-days ago. Travelled well for a long way and seemed to just find 2m 7f to far. The drop back in trip will suit and he’s capable of better over fences.
Verdict: If the David Pipe yard was in better form, I would fancy chase debutante Gericault Roque. However, I’m going with Corran Cross.
2:30 – bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The West Yorkshire Hurdle) – 3m
Paisley Park is the headline act here. He’s clear top on OR’s but I wonder how tuned up he will be here for his seasonal reappearance. If he is then he’s the most likely winner.
Master Tommytucker had a good season over fences winning three of his seven starts winning a Garde 2 at Kempton before finishing a 2-length 2nd of 5 behind Dashel Drasher in a Grade 1 at Ascot. He does tend to make a silly mistake in races over fences. Interesting to see him back over the smaller obstacles. If he stays 3m and Paisley Park isn’t spot on fitness wise he could be the one to take advantage.
Irish raider Run For Oscar comes into the race in great form having won his last two starts in handicap hurdle company. He needs to improve again to win a race like this but it’s not impossible that he can progress further for the step up to 3m.
Verdict: Paisley Park is the one to beat. Run For Oscar is an improver and should go well despite a big rise in class. The more rain the better for Master Tommytucker and he can take advantage should the favourite not be fully tuned up.
3:05 – bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) – 3m
The most important jumps race of the season so far.
Cyrname won this race first time up last season but ran absolute shockers on his next two starts. Still, he’s the most likely winner if he can reproduce his effort here 12 months ago.
Shan Blue won his first three starts last season including twice here. He then went onto win the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton. Three miles on a flat track is probably ideal for the 7-year-old provided he doesn’t too much out in front as he tended to do last season.
Fusil Raffles was a smart novice chaser last season at up to 2m 5f. Ran with encouragement when a 5½ length 2nd of 4 to Bravemansgame in intermediate chase at Newton Abbot last time. Will better for that run but his stamina for 3m is an unknown.
Clondaw Castle improved for the step to 3m when winning the valuable Close Brothers Handicap Chase at Kempton at the end of February. Was not match for Clan Des Obeaux when runner-up to that one in the Grade 1 Bowl Chase at Aintree on his final start. Better judged on his Kempton run but needs the favourite to underperform to win. Reliable and should go well on his seasonal return.
No stamina issues for Kitty’s Light. An unlucky 2nd of 16 in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on his final start of last season. The 5-year-old returned to action looking better than ever when a head 2nd of 13 at Chepstow earlier in the month. This a big step up in class but he’s reliable and arguably even importantly progressive. If the ground is good or at worse good to soft, he can outrun his odds.
Verdict: Cyrname is the one to beat if in the same form as when winning this last year. Kitty’s Light is going the right way and can out run his odds provided the ground isn’t to testing. Not sure he’s one I will be backing though.
3:40 – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 3 ½ f
Despite slight going concerns top-weight Pagero should go well.The 6-year-old took advantage of the drop in class when winning at Worcester last month. Only raised 2lb for that success and trainer Jonjo O’Neill won this race 12 months ago.
Haafapiece might well have won but for making mistakes at the final two hurdles on his seasonal return at this meeting last year. Handicapper has given the 8-year-old a chance as he’s on the same mark as at the start of last season.
Bourbon Beauty put in a career best effort when winning the Mares ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Final on her handicap debut at Newbury in March. Up 8lb for that success means she needs to have improved over the summer but it’s possible she can do so.
Rattle Owl made it 2-3 over hurdles when winning a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last month. Unexposed over hurdles and looks the type to do better. The 5-year-old must have a chance off a mark of 120 on his handicap debut.
Verdict: Tricky handicap hurdle. Pagero has race fitness on his side and is just 2lb higher than when winning at Worcester last time. Rattle Owl looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut if as effective on an easier surface. Haafapiece probably should have won here 12 months ago and is another inn the mix on ground that should suit.
Down Royal
Plenty of returning stars on show at Down Royal today. Envoi Allen makes his seasonal return in the Grade 2 Chase (3:25). There’s also a competitive looking 14 runner handicap hurdle (2:15).
However, the race of the card is the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Steeplechase.
2:50 – Ladbrokes Champion Steeplechase – 3m
Like the Charlie Hall Chase the race has attracted a small field of just five runners. However, the do include the likes of Gold Cup winner Minella Indo and the ever-reliable Frodon who should like the track. Sadly, my fancy for the race Road To Respect is a non-runner.
The race fit Galvin who won the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and showed his well-being when winning a Grade 3 at Punchestown earlier in the month. Gordon Elliott has indicated that the Grand National could be on the agenda for the progressive 7-year-old. Personally, I think he could make up into a Gold Cup horse given his rate of improvement. He’s a best priced 4/1 with William Hill for this but a more interesting 33/1 generally for next year’s Gold Cup.
Verdict: Minella Indo is the one to beat and he did win first time up last season. Galvin could well make up into a Gold Cup horse. He’s got race fitness on his side. I won’t be backing him though given the easing of the ground.
Ascot
The ITV cameras are covering the first four races on the Ascot card. It’s a cracking early season card and the field sizes have held up well in three of the four handicaps.
1:35 – Ascot Underwriting Chase (A Novices’ Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 3) – 2m 3f
A tough little race with several horses who look capable of improving for going over fences and the race should provide plenty of future winners. Kid Commando heads the betting. The 7-year-old a winner here over hurdles last season at this meeting on his seasonal return so we know he goes well fresh. Has a wind surgery since his last run Trainer Anthony Honeyball saddled the winner of the race last year.
Of others in the race both Sam Barton & Sizeable Sam have the size to so much better over the larger obstacles although the latter may need further to be seen at his best. The 4-year-old Nassalam gets the 10lb weight for age allowance and must be respected if he takes to fences. Whatsupwithyou finished 4th off 22 in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle and is another capable of winning races this season if he makes the transition to fences.
2:10 – Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) – 1m 7 ½ f
Boothill looked useful when winning a bumper at Kempton in February 2020 and won his sole start over hurdles at Taunton in December. Looked a high-class hurdling prospect when winning at Taunton. A mark of 135 on his handicap debut won’t be easy to defy given his inexperience but there’s a good chance he will prove much better than his mark.
Megan caught the eye on her seasonal return at Chepstow earlier in the month. The filly looked like she would make a winning return to action but she crumpled on landing three out and came down. It looked coming to three out that she would make a winning return to action. Although she jumped three out, well enough she crumpled on landing and came down. Given how well she travelled through the race she looks like she’s started off in handicap company on a competitive mark. Provide her confidence hasn’t been hit by this mishap she can win races.
Ajero has a productive season over hurdles last season winning four times, including twice in handicap company at Market Rasen & Huntingdon. Outclassed in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on his final start. Needs to go right-handed and looks worth a crack at a race like this.
Verdict: Boothill could be well head of his mark and will win this if he is. Megan caught the eye on her seasonal return at Chepstow and looks on a winnable mark.
2:45 – Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) – 2m 1f
Editeur Du Gite made all to win the valuable Red Rum Handicap Chase at the Grand National meeting. He’s been raised 8lb for that success but should remain competitive in races like this when he gets a chance to dictate the pace as he did at Aintree.
Sully D’Oc AA was a length behind in second at Aintree and boosted that form when going onto win at the Punchestown Festival but is now 10lb higher. Frero Banbou was back in 4th in the Red Rum and Grey Diamond was 5th.
Frero Banbou gets a 10lb pull in the weights from the winner for a nine-length beating. Three from six over fences. The 6-year-old shaped like a horse who can do better in races like this. Today’s slightly longer trip will suit and trainer Venetia Williams saddled the winner in 2013 & 2015.
Grey Diamond was a further ¾ length behind Frero Banbou but is 1lb worse off here although he did chase the strong pace at Aintree and paid for it at the finish. A winner at Sandown in March, off 5lb lower, he can’t be dismissed given he hails from the inform Sam Thomas yard (3-7 in the past 14-days).
Top-weight One For Rosie also has to be respected despite a mark of 149. The 8-year-old has won both his starts over fences early this year. Handicap debut over the larger obstacles here but won’t find it easy to dominate like he did last time at Carlisle. Another who goes well right-handed though and is in the mix. Trainer Kim Bailey & jockey David Bass are 5-15 33% +11 9 placed 60% when combining in chases at Ascot in the past 5-years.
Verdict: A lot depends if Editeur Du Gitecan get into a good jumping rhythm out in front like he did last time. Grey Diamond and Frero Banbou finished behind Editeur Du Gite but are weighted to get closer here. My preference is for the former but I do fear the Venetia Williams runner. One For Rosie will appreciate any more rain but it’s going to be a tough ask to win this off top-weight.
3:20 – Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m
Fourteen are set to run in the Ascot feature. Two past winners of the race are set to meet the starter. Vinndication won this 2019 and is the overnight favourite. The 8-year-old is 7lb higher this time around but is a better horse now. Put in an excellent effort when a 2-length 2nd of 10 to Cyrname in Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on return last year. Hasn’t gone right-handed since winning this two years ago, he’s better horse going this way around 3-3 here, and has excellent record fresh. The top-weight tick’s plenty of boxes and is a worthy favourite.
Last year’s winner Regal Encore is another with an excellent course record and the 13-year-old is bidding for his fifth C&D success. He won this first time up last season, off 4lb lower, and will likely have been prepared for this. Stablemate Sojourn won first time up last season and then put in a similar effort when 2nd of 10 in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock, First run since pulling up in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February. Has had a breathing operation since his last run. The 8-year-old has only had five starts over fences and he’s 3-3 when returning from a 180-day absence. A sound jumper of a fence but this trip maybe on the short side on this sort of ground.
Jerrysback has twice run well around here. He looked as good as ever when returning from 13-month absence when a 5 lengths 3rd of 14 to Dashel Drasher in January. Disappointed on his next two starts, excuses for the first of them, made a bad mistake four out. Has dropped 5lb in the weights and the Philip Hobbs yard is in much better form now.
Johnbb took another step forward over fences when a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 13 stepped up to 3m for the first time at Aintree in April. He’s only had the six starts over the larger obstacles, winning two of them and remains unexposed over 3m. A winner first time up last season he should be fit enough to himself justice here.
Verdict: Vinndication has plenty in his favour and is a worthy favourite. The old boy Regal Encore can never be ruled out around here and this looks his race. Add in the likeable and progressive Johnbb and the well treated Jerrysback and you have the makings of an excellent race.
Betting Advice:
Wetherby
1:20 – 1pt win – Corran Cross – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:30 – 1pt win – Master Tommytucker – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook
3:40 – 1pt win – Haafapiece – 7/1 @ Bet365 or 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Ascot
2:10 – 1pt win – Megan – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:45 – 1pt win – Grey Diamond – 5/1 @ Bet365
3:20 – 1pt win – Johnbb – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 0.5pts win – Regal Encore – 14/1 @ Bet365.
Cheers
John