Hi all,
It’s day two at the Breeders’ Cup with nine Grade 1 contests to enjoy from Keeneland.
On Saturday ITV4 are covering 11 races live on Saturday from Wincanton, Aintree, and Doncaster. At Wincanton the feature race of a seven race card is the 61st Badger Beer Handicap Chase (1:50).
The highlight of the racing at Aintree is the Boylesports sponsored Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2:11) which sees the Grand National fences in action for the first time this season.
The 2022 flat season slips quietly away at Doncaster where the highlight is the BetGoodwin November Handicap (3:13).
There’s also Grade 1 action at Down Royal where the feature contest in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2:32).
ITV are also covering all nine races from the Breeders Cup so it’s close to a ten hour feast of action for racing fans to enjoy. So, it’s a case of sitting back and enjoying and be thankful the sport is being given such incredible coverage.
I have covered the Breeders Cup in detail already this week, so I won’t be covering old ground here. That will please those of you who don’t like the meeting.
Inside today’s main preview you’ll find my thoughts on the best of Saturday’s action live on ITV from Wincanton, Aintree, Doncaster and Down Royal. As ever my betting advice follows at the end of the end main piece.
Let’s begin at Wincanton
Wincanton
12:40 – Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (12:40)
Wynn House finished 3 ½ lengths in front of Rose Of Arcadia when the pair were first and third. The winner is 1lb higher here but like last year the mare makes her seasonal return here. Rose Of Arcadia didn’t really go on last season after her effort here but returned to action in form when winning at Chepstow last month.
Sabrina ended last season an improving hurdler switched to handicaps winning over C&D in March (heavy) and then placing at Newbury. She put in another improved effort when 3½ lengths 2nd of 14 at Newton Abbot three weeks ago. Up 2lb but can win a race off her present mark.
Lady Adare took her career record to 3-4 under rules when winning a Taunton novice in February. Handicap Hurdle debut and needs to improve again to win this off a mark of 130. That said she had a Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Hurdle entry last season so could be better than her mark.
Boodles ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (1:15)
Just the six and it looks between chase debutant McFabulous and the more experience Sebastopol.
Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of this four times since 2013 and whilst McFabulous is being sent over fences late in his career he wins this if he transfers his high class hurdle form to the larger obstacles.
61st Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (1:50)
I looked at the race in some detail in Wednesday’s preview. Frodon comes here instead of the Grade 1 at Down Royal. He might be a 10-year-old, but we know he goes exceptionally well fresh, and the handicapper has given the top-weight a big chance off a mark of 158. His stablemate Enrilo is also on a good mark on the best of his form from two seasons back. Out of sorts last season. The 8-year-old is having his first start since wind surgery, goes week fresh and has serious claims.
Lord Accord bounced back to winning way at Cheltenham last time. Effective on a sound surface. He’s up 5lb but won off a higher mark last season.
El Presente & Potterman have gone well in the race in the past. The first named won the race in 2020. There’s a question regarding his well-being but he does get the first time visor. Potterman seems likely to give his running once more and the quicker the ground the better his chance.
Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) (3:00)
A disappointing four runner field and a short, priced favourite in Sceau Royal who bids for a race hat trick. The 10-year-old proved his well-being when winning at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance. 20 days ago. Autumn is his time of year and his latest Kempton success was his 11th win in October & November, and he seems likely to make it 12 here. His biggest rival could turn out to be Knappers Hill. The 6-year-oldended last season with a win in a Sandown handicap and returned to action this season with an improved success in the valuable Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow last month. He needs to improve again to beat Sceau Royal but he’s progressive and might be capable of doing so.
Aintree
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (1:01)
Gericault Roque took well to fences, doing well in staying handicap chases, last season, and he’s of plenty of interest back over hurdles. His stablemate Remastered who was only beaten 1 ½ lengths into third in last year’s race, from 1lb higher, is another who must be respected. We haven’t seen Flight Deck since he won at Carlisle last December. The lightly raced 8-year-old has his quirks but he’s talented and only 3lb higher than when last seen in action.
Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2:11)
Senior Citizen was runner-up in last year’s race and clearly goes well over the National fences. He doesn’t have the benefit of a recent run like he did 12 months ago but he’s a three time winner when returning from a 121+day absence.
Al Dancer is a very useful handicap chaser on his day. He’s back for the first time this season but has an excellent record fresh. If he takes to the National fences, he’s on a winnable mark.
Spiritofthegames usually goes well in these big field handicaps without winning. He has the benefit of a run having finished a 2nd of 8 at Fakenhan 20-days ago. The cheekpieces that were left off last time return here.
Irish challenger Lifetime Ambition developed into a very useful novice chaser last season winning a Grade 3 at Limerick in March before finishing a 6 ½ length 2nd of 7 to Capodanno in the Grade 1 Champion Novices’ Chase at Punchestown. He goes well fresh and If he takes to the fences he should go close.
Broken Halo made it 2-4 over fences when beating two rivals at Fontwell in March. Trainer Paul Nicholls has saddled the winner of this race three times since 2013 so Broken Halo deserves serious consideration.
Gesskille made it 3 wins from 4 starts when winning a Listed race at Auteuil in June. He stays much further than 2m 5f so there are no stamina issues with the 6-year-old isn’t out of this if taking to the fences.
Cooper’s Cross is steadily progressing over fences and made it 2-6 over fences when running out a comfortable winner at Carlisle on his seasonal return 16-days ago. It won’t be an easy task to win this from out of the handicap but he’s improving, and a big run is expected with Sean Bowen who has a great record over the National fences. booked for the ride.
Doncaster
Download The BetGoodwin App Wentworth Stakes (Listed Race) (12:50)
Art Power drops in class here and will take some beating back in Listed company here. Granted the 5-year-old has a 5lb penalty to carry for his Curragh Group 3 success but will take the beating if at his best. Chipstead has really improved on his last four starts and is worth his place in Listed company. A winner of a Sandown handicap August. He was first past the post in the valuable Portland Handicap (5 ½) here in September before putting in a career best on RPR’s when winning the Catterick Dash three weeks ago. While his improved form has come at 5f there’s no reason why he can’t be as effective over 6f. Tarhib was well beaten in this race last year, but she comes into the race in good form having produced a career best to win a competitive handicap at Nottingham over 5f. She relished the testing ground and a strongly run 5f that day but she won over 6f at Yarmouth in September so the extra furlong shouldn’t pose a problem for the filly.
BetGoodwin New UK Betting Site Irish EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (1:30)
Trainer Ralph Beckett has trained the winner of this Listed contest four times since 2010. He runs Moon De Vega & Star Fortress here. The latter ran down the field in the Galtres Stakes at York in August. Ran like something might have been amiss that day and has been given a break to freshen up. Moon De Vega won a soft ground maiden here last October. An eyecatcher when 4th of 9 in the Cheshire Oaks in May before finishing 8th off 11 in the Oaks. No seen since finishing 4th in a Group 3 at Newcastle in June. The return to soft ground should see the filly in a much better light. Something Enticing was a ¾ length 2nd of 18 in last years raceon similar ground.The 4-year-old bounced back to her best when a ½-length 2nd of 13 at Newmarket last month. Solid claims once more and is my pick in the race just ahead of Moon De Vega who could be capable of a big run back on soft ground.
BetGoodwin November Handicap (Class 2) (3:13)
John Gosden saddled Royal Line to win the 2018 renewal and has the ante post favourite in Israr. The 3-year-old was a good winner over C&D on heavy ground 14-days ago. He’s had a light campaign, just five starts, and was only raised 7lb for his latest win. It’s not hard to think that he could turn out to be a Group horse running in a handicap.
Next in the betting is Nathanael Greene, trained by William Haggas. The 3-year-old seemed to relish easy ground when winning at Haydock two starts back. Back from a 3 month lay off he ran well again when 4 length 4th of 14 to Post Impressionist at York last month. He stays 1m 6f well so his guaranteed stamina could come in handy.
Prydwen has developed into a useful handicapper and posted a career best on RPR’s when winning at Haydock last time. He’s up 6lb for that Haydock success but he’s only had two starts at around 1m 4f so is unexposed over the distance. Yet to race on ground worse than good to soft but if he handles today’s more testing ground has a much better chance than his odds suggest.
First Officer made a winning stable debut for Jane Chapple-Hyam at Nottingham (1m 2f). He relished the mud that day and he almost defied an 8lb rise in the weights when a nose 2nd of 8 here (1m 2f) 15-days ago. He needs two to drop out to get a run which seems likely and the return to 1m 4f shouldn’t be an issue for an improving 3-year-old.
Mr Alan is another 3-year-old who has developed into a useful handicapper. His recent improvement has come dropped back to 1m 2f, but he does stay 1m 4f as he showed at Chester in May. He’s been raised 4lb for winning at Nottingham on soft ground last month but should remain competitive. Andrea Atzeni who rode him last time continues in the saddle.
On To Victory won this in 2020 but that remains his last success on the flat. His success in the 2020 renewal came on soft ground so will get his ideal conditions. Alan King has booked David Probert for the ride and the 8-year-old can race off 7lb lower than when successful two years ago.
Down Royal
Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2:32)
There may only be five runners for the Grade 1 3m chase but all five have won a Grade 1 chase in the past. The tough and consistent Galvin heads the betting. He was runner-up to Frodon 12 months ago and seems likely to put up another good show here. Stablemate Conflated got his act together jumping wise last season winning the Grade 1 Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. Likely would have finished runner-up to Allaho but for falling two out in the Ryanair Chase and ended the season finishing runner-up to Clan Des Obeaux at Aintree.
Kemboy isn’t as good as he used to be but has race fitness on his side and can’t be ruled out. Beacon Edge won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase last November. Struggled in the jumping department afterwards but he’s useful on his day and his record in October/November is 5 wins from 7 runs 6 places.
High class hurdler/chaser Envoi Allen made it 3-3 at Down Royal when winning the Grade 2 here 12 months ago. He stays 2m 5f and is worth another try at 3m. He’s not out of this and his record off a 121 + break is 4 wins from 4 runs. It’s a tough task to beat the likes of Galvin & Conflated but I can see him going close if he stays.
Oh, and there will likely be more selections tomorrow. The Irish flat season comes to an end at Naas where the highlight races are the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Handicap and The Colm White Bookmaker November Handicap. For jumps fans there’s also a normally informative card at Sandown which races over jumps for the first time this season.
Betting Advice:
Wincanton
1:50 – Enrilo – 1pt win – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Aintree
1:01 – Flight Deck – 1pt win – 6/1 @ Bet365
2:11 – Broken Halo – 1pt win – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sporstbook and Cooper’s Cross – 1pt win – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Doncaster
12:50 – Chipstead – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1:30 – Something Enticing – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:13 – First Officer – 1pt win – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Prydwen – 1pt each way – 22/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (paying 5 places)
Down Royal
2:32 – Envoi Allen – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John