Hi all,
It’s an action-packed Saturday with racing to suit all tastes. We have day two of Cheltenham’s Showcase Meeting. The final Group 1 of the season at Doncaster, Group race action at Newbury, weather permitting, and over the Irish Sea it’s the October Handicap.
Let’s begin over the jumps at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham
2:00 – I was going to swerve this handicap chase due to changing underfoot conditions. However, I have been tempted by the Warren Greatrex trained Bob Mahler. The 7-year-old looked a useful staying handicap chaser in the making when winning novice handicap chases at Newbury and here over ½ f further back in April. Sent off 4/1 for a valuable handicap chase at Uttoxeter back in May he was soon pulled up after a bad mistake, when probably feeling the effects of a hard season. Will stay further than 3m 1f and the stable had a winner here yesterday. Each way claims if fully tuned up for this.
0.5pts each way – Bob Mahler – 22/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:10 – Trainer, jockey & owner combined to win this with race 12 months ago with Modus and have a lively contender in Brelan D’As who was a steady improver over fences last season. Putting arguably a career best over fences when 3rd of 19 in the Grand Annual Handicap Chase here at the Festival in March. Underfoot conditions shouldn’t won’t hold any terrors, has won on heavy. Could easily have been a 2pt selection but the trainer runners here yesterday seemed to be needing the run and this could be a prep for next month’s BetVictor Gold Cup. Whatever his fate here today I doubt we have seen the best of this 8-year-old.
1pt win – Brelan D’As – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:45 – One shouldn’t really be tempted by Pertemps Series qualifiers but there are a couple to catch the eye for different reasons. Sunset Showdown has been in good form over the summer winning three of his last four starts over hurdles. Just 2lb higher than for the last of those two wins at Worcester 46-days ago. The 6-year-old can go close here if handling the track and the softish ground. Trainer Rebecca Curtis has had a good month 3 winners from 7 runners 43% + 2.32 and her record at the Showcase Meeting in the past 5-years is also an impressive 3 winners from 8 runners 38% +29.25 A/E 2.38.
The other I like is Sykes. The 10-year-old showed a good battling attitude to win at Haydock In February. off 4lb lower. Prior to that he was beaten just a short head on his reappearance in this race 12 months ago. A career best to overcome to win this but we do know he goes well fresh – 1 win from 6 runs 4 placed when returning from a 90+ day layoff.
1pt win – Sunset Showdown – 11/1 @ Paddy Power
1pt win – Sykes – 12/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power
Doncaster
2:55 – Indianapolis coped well with the heavy ground when beating three rivals at Leicester 18-days ago. This will be tougher under joint top-weight of 10-0 and isn’t certain to confirm with runner-up Spanish Archer on 3lb worse terms. Jabbaar has been hit and miss this season but is handicapped to go well on ground that suits. Gets the first time cheekpieces today and was runner-up in this race 12 months ago off 5lb higher. Each way claims if the headgear has the desired effect.
0.5pts each way – Jabbaar – 14/1 @ William Hill & Bet365
Leopardstown
4:50 – A field of 18 have been declared to go to post for the valuable October Handicap. Mujid has just had the four starts and the 4-year-old seemed to show improved form for the step up to 1m 4f when 5th of 12 in a valuable handicap at Galway, when last seen 85-days ago. Stall 18 could be better but he’s not without a chance here. Previous course winner Future Proof came up against an improver over C&D 7-days ago. Nudged up 2lb for that effort demands more from the 4-year-old but he ticks the boxes marked going, distance and track and has solid each way claims again if this doesn’t come to quick.
1pt each way – Future Proof – 12/1 @ Paddy Power (paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
Given the weather and going around the racecourses it’s not a day to get to heavily involved on the staking front.
Cheers
John