Hi all,
Well we got a winner out of Dundalk last evening and a couple of thirds, so it was an interesting trial that’s worth preserving with next Friday.
On to Saturday’s action. As was expected we lost the last meeting of the flat season with the abandonment of Doncaster. So, the focus is firmly on jumping with the Badger Ales Handicap Chase & Grade 2 Elite Hurdle the highlights of a seven-race card at Wincanton. There’s also jumps action at Aintree, Kelso and Naas.
Wincanton
3:00 – Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) – 1m 7 ½ f
I’m a big fan of Fusil Raffles who could well be a serious Champion Hurdle. He’s priced up like he’s a good thing at 1/2. I just prefer Grand Sancy at the prices. The 5-year-old really likes it around here form figures 2211, the last of those wins came in the Kingwell Hurdle over C&D in February. All four of his career wins have come on good ground and although he fell at Kempton on his seasonal return he’s normally been a sound jumper. If there are any chinks in the favourites armoury or he lacks 100% fitness, then he can exploit them.
1pt win – Grand Sancy – 4/1 @ Bet365
3:35 – Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Listed Race) – 3m 1f
The race of the day and a field of 14 are set to go to post for this year’s renewal. I like five here. Present Man, White Moon, Sumkindofking. Beau Du Brizais and Just A Sting.
Present Man won this last year on his seasonal return and bids for back to back wins off just 4lb higher. Lack of a recent run isn’t a negative as his form figures either first time up or after a 121+days lay off are 12111. He has four wins on good ground but also handles softer and is 4-10 here at Wincanton. So, the 9-year-old ticks the all-important boxes marked going, course and distance and will be fully primed up to run well.
White Moon was very in and out over fences last season, not really building winning on his Exeter win. Looked to be on a competitive mark on his seasonal reappearance here over 1f further 13-days. The 7-year-old travelled well through that race and looked to have the race at his mercy when falling at the last. The handicapper has raised him 5lb but he remains on a competitive mark and looks sure to go close with a clear round.
Sumkindofking was 2 ½ lengths second behind Present Man in this race 12 months ago. The 8-year-old made a satisfactory seasonal reappearance when 4th in the race where White Moon fell. Should be all the better for that run but needs the ground to stay on the good side. If it does he should be in the money once again.
Beau Du Brizais finished runner-up in the Wincanton race. He’s a consistent handicap chaser and last time was career best. The handicapper has nudged him up another 4lb which makes life tougher but he’s another with each way claims if the ground stays good.
Just A Sting has just had the five starts over fences winning twice. Didn’t build on his first two starts last season and ended the season pulling up in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Seems best in the early part of the season and his form figures on his first start are 121. Well suited to good or good to soft ground and should stay 3m 1f. First time cheekpieces are applied and a big run can be expected. Even if the trainer’s runners haven’t really hit top gear so far this autumn.
1pt win – White Moon – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win- Present Man – 6/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
2:05 – Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f
War Sound won this 12-months ago off 2lb lower. The 10-year-old wasn’t as good four subsequent starts but he’s well suited to flat track like Aintree and of course goes well off a lay off. Shouldn’t be far away at the finish.
Cepage is having his first run since finishing runner-up to Frodon in last December’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He’s 4lb higher now but looks to have a favourites chance despite top weight of 11-12. Handles soft ground well and as he showed at Cheltenham, he’s goes well fresh.
The Russian Doyen won two of his four starts as novice last season, including is seasonal reappearance. First start since finishing 4th of 20 in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Capable of more improvement as a second season chaser and should go.
1pt win – Cepage – 7/2 – Gen
1pt win – The Russian Doyen – 6/1 @Bet365
Kelso
1:55 – I’m taking Clan Legend to cause a bit of s surprise in this Class 3 handicap chase.This son of Midnight Legend has been a consistent handicap chaser, although he was below par on his three starts last season. The key to the 9-year-old chance is soft or heavy ground. When heavy is in the going description he’s 6 wins from 15 runs +13.58. He also seems to come to hand in the early part of the season. up until last season he had won on seasonal reappearance in the each of the last three years and his form figures on soft/heavy ground during November/December are 1111415.Last season’s below par runs mean he’s dropped back down to a winnable mark and his trainer has been among the winners.
2pts win – Clan Legend – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John