A busy Saturday of racing action with Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton all featuring races with a Cheltenham Festival focus as well as looking ahead to Aintree with the Grand National Trial at Haydock.
At Ascot there is Grade 1 action with the Ascot Chase in which L’Homme Presse is Unibet 8/11 on and main rival Pic D’Orhy is Unibet 2/1, with Ahoy Senor Unibet 9/2. Earlier in the week we posted my Five Ante-Post selections for the Cheltenham Festival, which included L’Homme Presse Unibet 8/1 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. His performance at Lingfield in the Fleur De Lys Chase after a 391-day break was impressive to beat Protektorat and he won with plenty in hand. Some commentators are concerned that he is having a Cheltenham Festival prep run less than three weeks after Lingfield rather than heading straight to The Festival, however this looks the right decision to sharpen him up for March 15th. His main rival is Pic D’Orhy, who is a horse I have always followed and is running as well as ever, with his second to Banbridge last time out at Kempton, after winning at Ascot previously. Pic D’Orhy doesn’t get all the credit he deserves, given the record he has in graded races, however L’Homme Presse will still come out on top against this very smart performer. Interestingly, back in February 2022, L’Homme Presse beat Pic D’Orhy by 27 lengths in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.
The Kingwell Hurdle Grade 2 at Wincanton is a closely contested renewal with Colonel Mustard, Rubaud, Goshen and Nemean Lion all in the lineup, with maybe the latter having the best chance, though it is a close call. A very interesting race to watch.
Enjoy whether racing at Ascot, Haydock or Wincanton or watching #athome on ITV Racing, Racing TV and At The Races.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.50 Ascot – Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase Grade 2 (3m)
Kilbeg King would have been a popular choice for the Swinley Chase later on the card had connections decided to go the handicap route, but they roll the big dice after his good third in the Kauto Star to Il Est Francais on Boxing Day at Kempton. It would be easy to write that run off as an overachieving one, but the paddock judges were very impressed with his physique beforehand, and he did not look out of place in Graded company. He can win this before a possible crack at the National Hunt Chase next month.
2.25 Ascot – Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Handicap Hurdle (2m 3½f)
Arqoob was third to Rare Edition (reopposes) at Kempton when beaten 2¾ lengths, which was a return to form after disappointing at Sandown at their Tingle Creek meeting. He had previously won at Sandown in November, when beating Kaleb in good style in the soft. Arqoob is overlooked here and has strong each way claims with Alice Stevens claiming five pounds.
Le Milos was also entered at Haydock to run over a longer trip, yet earlier in his career he was winning over this distance, and we know he is ground versatile, so the less testing conditions are not a concern. Le Milos returned to action in November over hurdles when third to Itchy Feet over 2m 7f after not being given a hard ride and whilst the focus is Aintree he can in the meantime run a good race here for each way players.
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2.40 Haydock – Rendlesham Hurdle Grade 2 (3m ½f)
Butch is going for a four-timer here and deserves to take this step up in grade from handicap company. His performance at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day when always prominent and taking the lead two out to hold on from My Bobby Dazzler, with the third 12 lengths back meant he went straight in my notebook. It is worth referencing that Bunch has won by a neck on his last two starts, yet he has a very likeable attitude in a finish and is tough and durable too.
3.15 Haydock – Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (3m 4½f)
My Silver Lining (nap) was marked up in my Unibet Blog when winning the Classic Chase at Warwick in tremendous style, when always prominent and showing what an excellent jumper she is under a well-judged ride by James Best (in the plate again) to beat the classy Galia Des Liteaux. My Silver Lining had impressed me when second to Animal on her previous appearance at Sandown, combined with her consistency, as she now has form figures of 1221. We know this mare is fine with the trip, has won on heavy and will keep galloping and jumping well.
3.50 Haydock – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3m ½f)
Schalke doesn’t bring the most exciting form this season of 8988 to this Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier, including when last at Kelso in December in a race which he had won by six lengths in December 2022 in the heavy ahead of finishing a good fourth at Sandown to Green Book last February. He is returning here off a wind operation, has slipped to a mark of 118, with Aaron Anderson returning to ride claiming five pounds and has previously won on the heavy. Schalke is worth a small each-way wager
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