Hi all,
Normally Haydock would take centre stage on Saturday give it’s Betfair Chase Day but the Altior v Cyrname match-up at Ascot means the eyes of the racing world will be focused on Ascot. Still there is no denying the racing at both racecourses is of the highest standard and offers plenty of betting opportunities.
Haydock
1:50 – Bold Plan disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow when only 10th of 17 behind Flash Of Steel. He’s surely better than that and should be judged on his 2nd of 18 at Uttoxeter back in March. The 5-year-old remains on a competitive mark off 130 and is worth another chance here.
Whoshotthesheriff looked top be as travelling as well as anything, when falling two out at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance. The 5-year-old had won his final two starts in novice hurdle company at Carlisle & Sedgefield last season. If his confidence has been affected by that fall he remains unexposed in handicap hurdles, just his second start, and Sean Quinlan who is 3 from 3 on the gelding returns to the saddle.
1pt win – Bold Plan – 8/1 @ William Hill
1pt win – Whoshotthesheriff – 6/1 @ Paddy Power
2:25 – Betfair Best Odds On ITV Races Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (Class 1) – 3m ½ f
Sykes was a bit of an eyecatcher at the first Cheltenham Meeting when finishing third to Tobefair in the Pertemps Series Qualifier on his first start for 203-days. Five of his six career win have come between October & November and even more interestingly he’s a perfect 5 wins from 5 runs + 27.63 on his second start of the season. A winner over C&D in February off 4lb lower the 10-year-old is vulnerable to any improvers in the field but he should be ready for a big run.
Breaking Waves was an eyecatcher from the same Cheltenham Meeting when returning from a 217-day absence. Coming from well back he made steady headway and was running on after the last to snatch 4th. Saw out the 2m5f here well and looks capable of staying further. Sent off joint 6/1 favourite which shows that connections think they have a horse on a winnable mark. Trainer Noel Williams has his horses in great form – 3 winners from 6 runners 50% +9.41 in the past 14-days.
0.5pts each way – Sykes – 40/1 @ Ladbrokes (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
1pt each way – Breaking Waves – 10/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Ascot
3:20 – Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 1f
Eleven go to post for this handicap chase, including the first three home in last year’s race Caid Du Lin, Speredek & Marracudja.
Speredek is best in on the weights of three but the 8-year-old disappointed on his seasonal; reappearance over C&D. Marracudja is temptingly handicapped on his best form and the anticipated strong pace is in his favour. Best previous form has come on a sound surface but has each way claims if the ground doesn’t ease much further before post time.
Stablemates Diego Du Charmil & Capeland were involved in the controversial finish over C&D at the last meeting. Capeland looked unlucky that day when his stablemate forced him out after the last. On 6lb better terms I would fancy Capeland to finish ahead this time.
Knocknanuss is interesting in the first-time blinkers. The 9-year-old a useful chaser at his best shaped well to finish third behind Saint Calavados at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance 28-days ago. Had looked like the race would do him good. Headed two out he was still in contention at the last and given how keen he was in the early stages of the race did well to finish a close as he did in third. Whatever his fate here there is a decent pot in him before the season is out.
The Last Day returned to action with an impressive five length win at Aintree 14-days ago. He’s up in class today and is up 11lb in the weights but the softer the ground the better for the 7-year-old who is 5 wins from 8 runs 7 placed on soft and heavy.
Verdict: Capeland deserves to get compensation for last time. The Last Day is a 2m handicap chaser on the upgrade but needs the ground to be soft at best in this company. If the first time headgear works the trick the bold jumping Knocknanuss will be hard to keep out of the frame, although he might prefer a slightly sounder surface.
1pt win – Knocknanuss – 5/1 @ Paddy Power
1pt win – Capeland – 5/1 @Bet365
Gowran Park
2:10 – Recent Wexford eyecatcher Castlebrook is an interesting runner in this chase. On ratings he has plenty to find with the likes of Getabird, Mengli Khan and Mortal but the forecast heavy ground has tempted connections to let him take his chance. He clearly relished the heavy ground on his first start since April and his first run over fences when winning at Wexford. Connections see him as a Grade 1 level in the making and the Grade 1 novices’ chase at Limerick was nominated as target by his trainer after the race. This win came over 2m 4f, but he will get 3m+ with more experience. I’m very hopeful that he will outrun his big odds and I can’t let him go unbacked.
1pt win – Castlebrook – 10/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power
Cheers
John