Hi all,
Well the Irish Flat Season began last week at Naas and today it’s the UK turn at Doncaster on Saturday.
As I have mentioned over the past two weeks. My horses to follow are in that transition stage, with just the odd National Hunt horse, until the flat season start to kick in.
The highlights of this weekend’s racing are Doncaster two-day Lincoln meeting that starts on Saturday and an interesting jumps card at Ascot on Sunday.
Before looking at this weekend betting. Let’s focus on last weeks three horses for your trackers.
This Week’s Horses to Follow
Friday 22nd March
Newbury
Air Navigator, trained by Tom George, a winner on his chase debut at Ffos Las back in November. A faller when still in with a chance two starts back at Newbury. Looked on a competitive mark returning to handicap company. He jumped and travelled well throughout the race but was a never nearer third at the finish.
Given all his wins have come on heavy or soft ground the drying ground on Friday probably wasn’t really in his favour. He clearly stays 2m 7 ½ f well enough and could get a bit further on the evidence of this run.
If the going eases over the coming weeks he remains a handicap chaser on a winnable mark.
Saturday 23rd March
Newbury
Joe Farrell, trained by Rebecca Curtis, last seasons Scottish Grand National winner was the only one runner to give Chic Name a race in the 3m 2f handicap chase that opened Saturday’s Newbury card.
The 10-year-old needed the run on his seasonal reappearance earlier in the month, but this was much better. He eventually finished well clear of the third but was unfortunate to come up against a well-handicapped horse who benefitted from having useful 5lb claimer in the saddle. This will have put him on course for a tilt at the Aintree National which is just a week away now.
Elysees, trained by Alan King, a winner on good to firm on the flat last summer has made a decent transition to hurdling winning two juvenile hurdles back in November before finishing a close-up second to Quel Destin in a Grade 2 at Doncaster.
Given a short break after that run the four-year-old had gone well enough on the all-weather before his handicap hurdle debut on Saturday. This was his first start over hurdles beyond an extended 2m and he showed that he stayed the new distance really well. He was staying on as well as anything between the last two and almost snatched third.
On the evidence of this run he should get further than 2m 3f and as he’s well suited to a sounder surface. Up 2lb for this effort. There could be a staying handicap hurdle in the 4-year-old on a sound surface before the season is out.
Weekend Betting Preview
Saturday 29th March
If you discount World Cup Night at Meydan the big flat race of the weekend is the Lincoln Handicap over the straight mile at Doncaster.
Doncaster
3:35 – Unibet Lincoln (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) – 1m
The ante post favourite is the Godolphin owned Auxerre at 7/2. The drying ground will be in his favour and it could be that the 4-year-old proves to be better than a handicapper this season and indeed is a Group horse in handicap. He has an obvious chance of giving his trainer Charlie Appleby a second win in the race.
Humbert, trained by David O’Meara is another to catch my eye. He makes his debut for the trainer today and I tipped up as an each-way selection in my Monday Daily Punt column.
The 5-year-old’s four career wins have come on the all-weather for previous trainer Hugo Palmer. He’s 0 form 6 on the grass but has finished runner-up three times. Has since moved to his present trainer, same owner. One of those runner-up efforts came at this meeting in the Spring Mile over C&D, off 8lb lower, before filling the runner-up spot in the Newbury Spring Cup off 4lb lower. First run since October but he’s won off a longer layoff so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Two of his best turf runs have come on good to soft, he’s effective over a mile and he handles a big field.
Irish raider Saltonstall is making his debut for new trainer Aidan McGuiness. He’s been well backed in the ante-post betting this week. The 5-year-old is just 2lb higher than when winning a mile handicap at the Curragh last May. First start for 210 days but was runner -up in the Irish Lincolnshire on last season’s seasonal appearance. Starts this campaign on a potentially winnable mark and is well suited to quick ground.
Great Prospector, was a useful juvenile winning at Nottingham before putting in a career best when 3rd to Gustav Klimt in a Newmarket Group 2 two seasons back. Not as good a s 3-year-old but did put in a career best when 3rd in a 7f Redcar Listed race last October. That run came off a 112-day break so he goes well fresh and is another who will be suited by the drying ground. Stamina for a mile must be proved but he has each-way claims at a big price if he stays
Beringer, trained by Alan King, is an interesting runner dropping back to a mile. He did his running last year at 1m 2f, putting in a career best when beaten just ¾ length into second by subsequent Cambridgeshire winner Wissahickon at York last summer. A progressive 3-year-old he remains capable landing a valuable handicap like this off his present mark of 96. Andrea Atzeni, 2 wins from 6 rides 33% +1.58 4 placed when riding for the trainer is a positive booking considering how well the jockey rides Doncaster.
Verdict: Great Prospectorhas each way claims at a big price. Saltonstall races off a winnable mark and is suited by a straight mile. Meanwhile, the strong travelling Beringer could well be suited by the drop back to a mile and the return to good ground. Add in Humbert and of course Auxerre and you have the makings of a competitive race.
Saltonstall – 10/1 @ Paddy Power & William Hill
Beringer – 8/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
2:25 – Unibet Spring Mile Handicap (Class 2) – 1m
Petrus, trained by Brian Meehan. Handles a big field and a straight course. Look on a competitive mark based on his 1 length, 3rd of 15 at Ascot last July. Gelded since his last run and the first time cheekpieces replace the blinkers he wore on most runs last season.
Exec Chief, won three of his four starts since joining his present trainer last summer. According to Racing Post Ratings he improved on each of his four starts. This will be only the 4-year-olds ninth career run and he could be capable of better this year.
Exec Chief – 9/1 @ Bet365
Petrus – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Kempton
2:40 – Desert Doctor, has been in good form on the all-weather this winter and has won two of his last three starts. Last time out he won at Chelmsford over today’s distance. Up just 3lb for that win 21-days ago and he looks capable of going close again here.
Desert Doctor – 7/1 @ William Hill & Bet365
In addition to the above we have a recent eyecatcher running at Uttoxeter.
Uttoxeter
3:55 – Defi Sacre raced last time at Doncaster that he should be suited by todays longer trip. There must be a doubt about the good ground for the 6-year-old but if he’s effective on it he’s capable of getting into the places.
Defi Sacre – 16/1 @ Bet365 – each way (paying 4 places ¼ odds) or 14/1@ – each way – William Hill & (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
Always check with an odds comparison service like Oddschecker to get the best prices available
All selections win only unless indicated as each way.
Good luck with your bets.