HAYDOCK’S big jumps card of the season certainly has the quality, with an intriguing renewal of the feature, as the first two from last year, Royal Pagaille and Grey Dawning, take each other on once again.
The ground was truly testing in 2024 and in a titanic battle Royal Pagaille regained the lead after a mistake by Grey Dawning at the last to secure his second victory in this Grade 1 Chase.
As of early Friday morning, the ground is good to soft, soft in places, and with only 5mm of rain forecast for early Saturday, conditions are going to be more in Grey Dawning’s favour than the Haydock specialist Royal Pagaille. A fascinating renewal, in which we shouldn’t overlook Haiti Couleurs, as it is very interesting that he is running in this Grade 1 rather than heading to Newbury at the end of the month for their big handicap.
Over at Punchestown, the feature at 2:10 is the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle Grade 1 over two miles and half a furlong, in which the mare Lossiemouth Unibet 4/11 can come out on top here. It will be interesting to see if Lossiemouth heads to the Unibet Champion Hurdle this season after her success in the Mares’ Hurdle in March.
This could be a big Saturday for favourites at Punchestown, Ascot, and Haydock, including Kabral Du Mathan Unibet 7/4 in their 1.15 Handicap Hurdle.
Enjoy whether at a Haydock, Punchestown, or Ascot or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
1.50 Haydock – Graduation Chase (2m 5½f)
The Jukebox Man who is in my Unibet Ten To Follow, returns after injury, and he can get his campaign off to the best possible start with victory in this Graduation Chase on route to his main target, the King George VI Chase back at Kempton, for which he is currently Unibet 10/1.
He was so impressive at Newbury on chasing debut last season when beating the smart Masaccio comfortably when he looked like he needed the run over two miles four furlongs on his seasonal return.
He then stepped up, not in distance, to three miles in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton when he travelled so smoothly, jumped superbly, and showed that he had plenty of speed too in defeating the very smart Hyland.
Let’s hope this exciting individual can get a win under his belt and enjoy an injury-free campaign.
2:25 Haydock – Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (3m ½f)
Ace Of Spades won twice over hurdles last season at Cheltenham and Kelso respectively ahead of being beaten by a head at Ayr over this distance by Billy Boi Blue back in April.
Ace Of Spades returned to action at Aintree in October and looked very sharp visually as he moved clear after the last to beat Moonbow by a length and a quarter when idling in front.
He was only raised 3lb for that victory, has conditions in his favour and you can expect a big run with the yard in great form.
Jingko Blue for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson returns to hurdles after three starts over fences, including two impressive wins ahead of an unseat in the Reynoldstown Novices’Chase at Ascot.
This talented individual will be returning to fences, though in the meantime you can’t ignore his rating over hurdles of 145 and the fact that he won over this distance over fences.
Take a look at Jingko Blue’s win over hurdles at Sandown in February 2024 carrying top weight when beating Titan Discovery by six lengths, who reopposes here and his previous hurdles appearance when defeating the smart Masaccio at Newbury.
This might be ultra-competitive, yet you can expect this exciting six-year-old to give a good account of himself on only his eighth start under rules.
2.40 Ascot – Ascot Hurdle (2m 3½f)
Celtic Dino would have been a strong fancy for the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle if running on the back of beating Alexei in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow in really good style. Alexei franked the form in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle last weekend winning by six lengths and whilst Celtic Dino for an inform yard has plenty to do against the favourite Wodhooh he looks really progressive.
3:00 Haydock – Chase Grade 1 (3m 1½f)
Haiti Couleurs (nap) won four of his chase starts last season from a distance of three miles one furlong to three miles six furlongs, including the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the Irish National at Fairyhouse.
This eight-year-old came of age last season, and his chasing mark went from 122 to 154, though you think there is plenty more to come and there has to be with the favourite Grey Dawning on a mark of 166.
Haiti Couleurs showed his well-being when winning over hurdles at Newbury earlier this month when pushed out from the last to lead late on, beating Bill Baxter by a length and a half.
Haiti Couleurs is going to be ridden prominently throughout to make this tactically a true test and this excellent jumper can take his first Grade 1.
3.15 Ascot – Cantello Banfi Hurst Park Handicap Chase (2m 1f)
Teddy Blue is certainly enigmatic, and on previous occasions when I marked him up over hurdles he didn’t oblige. He is certainly talented though as a change of scene and move to fences has shown with a 50% strike rate from six starts over fences.
Teddy Blue won at Ascot on his last appearance at the start of the month and can follow up again over the same trip on good ground for an in-form yard.
