Hi all,
Saturday’s Preview is early this week and it gives you a chance to have a relaxed look at it before placing your selections. My selections will be posted either this evening or on Saturday morning so watch out for updates.
Saturday sees the spotlight fall on Sandown where the feature race is Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (3:00). The stellar card also showcases two additional Grade 1 events: the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (1:50) and the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle (1:15).
Aintree takes the stage with the Becher Handicap Chase (2:05) over the iconic National fences, while Chepstow hosts Welsh National Trial Day.
ITV Racing presents extensive coverage of nine races, comprising five from Sandown and four from Aintree, promising an action-packed program for racing enthusiasts.
In today’s main piece I preview all the ITV races. Plus, there are selections from a couple of non ITV races.
Sandown
12:40 – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 2) – 2m 7 ½ f
Top weight Chantry House has a touch of class and there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from his 13 length 3rd of 15 to Buddy One at Cheltenham last month. Back over hurdles, he wasn’t really put into the contest and not subjected to a hard race either. This should get him qualified for the Series Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
Dolphin Square won last year’s corresponding race and is 8lb lower this time around. He struggled badly on seasonal return but a return to softer ground is helpful. The first time blinkers replace the usual cheekpieces and whilst owner David Maxwell is in the saddle he can’t be ruled out.
Brinkley is another who will appreciate the likely testing ground. The 8-year-old wasn’t seen at his best on three starts last season, but he was back to form when a ½-length 2nd of 5 at Uttoxeter on seasonal reappearance 18 days ago. He’s on a handy mark and is another worth considering.
1:15 – Betfair Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m
Rescheduled from last Saturday’s abandoned Newcastle meeting. Let’s hope the ground isn’t too heavy and racegoers get to see Constitution Hill in action. He could run a stone and more below his best and still win this.
1:50 – Betfair Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7 ½ f
JPR One, despite an unfortunate unseating of the rider in a Cheltenham Grade 2 novice chase, last time is the rightful ante post favourite with the bookmakers.
Trainer Jamie Snowden, fresh off last Saturday’s Coral Cup victory with Datsalrightgino, presents Colonel Harry as a strong contender. Colonel Harry, a successful novice hurdler last season, showcased his potential when winning on chase debut at Chepstow last month. A preference for softer ground is anticipated and the odds of 7/2 make him fair value.
2:25 – Rachael Blackmore Serial Winners Fund Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m
Arguably the most competitive race on the Sandown card.
Impose Toi made it 3-5 over hurdles when winning at Cheltenham 22 days ago. Has a 10lb rise in the weights to contend with, on different ground, but could find the improvement needed to defy it.
Bucksy Des Epeires made an encouraging stable debut for Venetia Williams when winning in a Lingfield novice hurdle (2m 3 ½ f) 18 days ago. Didn’t lack pace at Lingfield so the drop back to 2m shouldn’t be an inconvenience and there should be more to come from the 4-year-old on handicap debut.
Arqoob, a winner on the flat for his previous yard,gained a second win over hurdles when successful over C&D 27 days ago. Up 7lb but the 5-year-old has only had seven starts over hurdles so could be capable of better.
Punta Del Este shaped like he remains a work in progress when a good 2 length 2nd of 4 on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby three weeks ago. Goes well on soft ground and should strip fitter here.
Spirit D’Aunou completed a four timer at Chepstow in April. The four timer also included a heavy ground C&D success on handicap hurdle debut in March. Below his best on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham 42 days ago but should be sharper for that run. Open to further improvement this season and likely to be in the shake-up.
Mr Freedom won four times over hurdles during a productive juvenile campaign last season and was unlucky in the run when a 4 length 5th of 21 in the Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The 4-year-old was a respectable 7 ¼ length 3rd of 7 at Doncaster last Saturday. Might not want the ground to testing but can outrun big odds if it isn’t.
3:00 – Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7 ½ f
Jonbon made a stellar comeback in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham, solidifying his favoritism for the upcoming Sandown feature. With a flawless 2-2 record over the course and distance, including a previous triumph in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. Jonbon has started to win me over after his latest performance.
While Edwardstone, last year’s winner comes here rather than heading to Huntingdon for Sunday’s Peterborough Chase. He was a respectable runner-up to Jonbon in the Shloer Chase last month. However, he does look held by the favourite on that running.
I know Tom Segal was very impressed with Captain Guinness after he won at Navan on his seasonal return three weeks ago. However, he won that Navan race 12 months ago and didn’t really follow up in Grade 1 company afterwards. Looks held by Jonbon on their running over C&D in April.
Boothill, an 8 length runner-up to Jonbon last season is an intriguing one for the forecast. He has improved to win both this season’s starts at Ascot and is firmly in the mix for the places.
Haddex Des Obeaux, despite a recent fall, can be competitive in graded races. A bold jumping novice last season, he remains capable of an even better performance and should relish any further ease in the ground. If there is to be a big shock, he could be the one to deliver it.
3:35 – Betfair Exchange London National Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 4 ½ f
Beauport hasn’t really kicked on since winning on chase debut at Carlisle last season. However, this looks like an easier race than he’s been competing in. Stamina for today’s marathon trip must be taken on trust but he looks worth a god at it. Never out of the first two on three starts at the track over hurdles and is on a handy mark.
Fontaine Collonges won first time up last year and in 2020 so first time up maybe the time to catch the mare. Only 1lb above her last winning mark and at her best in the mud he sure to be popular and is high on my race shortlist in a winnable race.
Certainly Red, 7th of 16 in the Bet365 Gold Cup over C&D in April, had looked like a progressive handicap chaser prior to that run. Raced the run was needed when an 18 ½ length 4th of 11 in the Badger Beers Handicap Chase at Wincanton and warrants serious consideration albeit his stamina for 3m 4f will be tested here.
Aintree
The three Aintree handicaps live on ITV all look competitive contests.
1:30 – Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f
Brave Seasca was a comfortable winner of this corresponding race on seasonal return last year and can now race off 1lb lower. Disappointing seasonal return when last of 6 in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on return to action and needs a return to C&D to revive.
Heltenham improved for going over fences last season and completed a handicap chase hat trick at Newbury in March. Fell on his final start of last season but had a nice confidence booster when winning over hurdles at Wetherby three weeks ago. Looks capable of better over the larger obstacles and should be thereabouts.
Richmond Lake made it 3-5 over fences last season and ploughed through the mud to win a Wetherby handicap hurdle on his return to action last month. Remains with potential on his second season chasing.
War Lord didn’t really build on a good novice chase campaign (2021/2022) last season. However, he looked back on track when a 3 ¾ length 3rd of 6 to stablemate Elixir De Nutz in the Haldon Gold Cup (2m 1 ½ f) at Exeter last month. Doing his best work at the finish the return to 2m 4f looks a plus and he’s another in the mix.
Donnas’s Double won a heavy ground handicap chase at Ayr in January. He was below par on three subsequent starts last season but was back on track when a 1 /2 length 3rd of 10 at Ayr last month. The yard’s runners have tended to need their first start so the 7-year-old is entitled to have come for his first start.
2:05 – Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 2f
Ashtown Lad is just 2lb higher than when winning last years 12 months ago which must give him an excellent opportunity to follow up.
Percussion was beaten 5 ½ lengths into third in last year’s race and gets a 2lb pull with Ashtown Lad. His form figures over the National fences are 332 and he’s surely going to pop in one of these races sooner rather than later. He looked in need of further when a 2 length 2nd of 10 in the Grand Sefton Stakes (2m 5f) last month and looks set for a big run.
Highland Hunter might be a 10-year-old, but I’ve always felt there’s a nice pot in him. He returned from a 21 month absence to finish a 2 length 2nd of 6 to Elvis Mail at Kelso (3m 2f) 43 days ago on hi first start for Fergal O’Brien. He won the London National at Sandown in 2021 and then finished runner-up in the Welsh Grand National. Interesting that connections aim him here rather than go back to Sandown for that race. This trip might be a bit on the short side for him but with plenty of rain forecast between now and Saturday will bring his stamina into play.
Coko Beach gained a fourth success over fences when winning the valuable Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan. Last time out was clear personal best for the 8-year-old and although he does need to improve again to follow up his good jumping is an asset and can’t be confidently ruled out even off top weight.
Chambard the 2022 Kim Muir Handicap Chase winner at the Cheltenham Festival, showcased a return to form with a strong performance, finishing 1 ¼ length 2nd of 16-horse amateurs’ riders handicap chase at Cheltenham (3m 1f) last month. Despite a 4lb rise the 11-year-old, excels in soft ground, and remains a formidable contender if taking to the fences.
Celebre D’Allen, having secured a 10lb increase for winning a Veterans Handicap Chase on the Mildmay Course, faces the question of whether, at 11, he can deliver another 10lb improvement. While it may seem improbable he can’t be easily dismissed either given his latest performance.
2:40 – Boylesports Daily Money Back 2nd Juvenile Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 1f
This race used to be a Grade 2 contest and it returns as a Listed contest. Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner three times since 2016 so his runner Liari must be respected. The son of Cracksman a winner on the flat in France won hurdle debut for the trainer at Wincanton in October. Le Fauve finished runner-up on one start over hurdles in France and has since joined Dan Skelton for €105,000. In truth it’s not a race I will be having in a bet in.
3:15 – Boylesports Extra Place Races Handicap Hurdle – (Class 2) – 2m 4f
Sonigino won three times in a productive 2022/23 and ended last season with an excellent 3rd of 20 in a valuable C&D handicap in April. Two solid efforts this season including when fourth in last month’s Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2m) at Cheltenham. Return to 2m 4f is a positive and he’s got a nice pot in him.
Benson was runner-up in this race 12 months ago and went onto win at Musselburgh and the valuable Morebattle Handicap Hurdle at Kelso in March. Fourth of 7 on chase/seasonal debut at Ayr 51 days ago and is interesting back over hurdles.
Fingal’s Hill failed to complete the four timer when a below par 7th of 10 at Haydock 10 days ago. Softer ground and today’s extra furlong are more suitable for the 7-year-old, but he does need to bounce back from last times lesser effort.
Bashers Reflection was steadily progressive for going handicapping earlier in the year and looked better than ever when winning at Wetherby (heavy) three weeks ago. A 7lb rise isn’t harsh given he was well on top at the finish last time. In a much deeper race here but has definite claims once more.
Rafferty’s Return was a 7 length third in that Wetherby contest won by Bashers Reflection and is 8lb better off here. A bit of a Wetherby specialist, he seems to be building towards a win and is now 1lb below his last winning mark.
Stablemates Holmes St Georges & Largy Shark can’t be ruled out either. The former, a useful handicap hurdler, returns from a 222 day layoff but his form figures when returning from a 121 to 365 day layoff are 11 and he’s 2-5, 4 placed on soft/heavy ground. Largy Shark should be fitter for his seasonal return/handicap debut 6th of 20 at Navan three weeks ago. The return to today’s distance should see him in a better light and he can’t be discounted.
See you later.
Cheers
John