The Wine Tipster: “With conditions in his favour he can secure his first victory of the season”
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.
Staying at Haydock, there is also the next race in the Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase, with the final of this popular series back at the same course on April 19th.
At Ascot there is Grade 1 action with the Ascot Chase in which the first two last year Pic d’Orhy Unibet 7/4 and L’Homme Presse Unibet 9/4 renewing rivalry, whilst Corbetts Cross Unibet 17/8 adds a intriguing angle to the race. He won over 3m 6f at the Cheltenham Festival last year, didn’t get involved in the King George when sixth behind Banbridge, with L’Homme Presse third, who then won on Cheltenham Trials Day, though Corbetts Cross won over the Ascot Chase trip back in December 2023. A fascinating race.
The Kingwell Hurdle Grade 2 at Wincanton sees Burdett Road Unibet 8/11 heading the market and he is one of my Five Ante Post selections in my first 2025 Cheltenham Festival blog, for which he is currently Unibet 16/1 for the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
Burdett Road won the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle in November and then ran really well to be third to Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. He can improve once again and take the Kingwell Hurdle on route to the Cheltenham Festival.
Enjoy whether racing at Ascot, Haydock or Wincanton or watching #athome on ITV Racing.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.15 Ascot – Handicap Hurdle (2m 7½f)
Bertie B won in good style at Plumpton when beating Batwomen by 3¼ lengths in December looking like he still had plenty left in the tank and the handicapper raised him from 110 to 118. On his next start he finished seventh at Kelso when beaten 5½ lengths, however tactically this race didn’t suit him, and a line should be drawn through that race. If Bertie B returns to his Plumpton performance on ground that is proven on, he can certainly be in the mix for each way players.
2.05 Haydock – Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
Eaton Collina (nap) is the selection in an open looking Veterans’ Chase with the yard right on form. He looks very well handicapped with one or two of these on past form and having won his last two starts last season he has form figures this campaign of 533 so with conditions in his favour he can secure his first victory of the season.
2.25 Ascot – Handicap Hurdle (2m 3½f)
Jour d’ Evasion has form figures of U221 and looked in really good form last time out when beating Santos Blue comfortably at Hereford, with the runner-up franking the form at Newbury last weekend.
This very consistent type, continues to move up the ratings, has won on good to soft and can progress once again even in this competitive race.
La Pinsonniere for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson has had two starts for Seven Barrows since coming over from France. She won a maiden hurdle on her second appearance at Huntingdon last month when beating Nap Hand by ¾ length moving away at the finish. La Pinsonniere still looked inexperienced with plenty of potential in the locker and that first victory surely means she has the confidence to step up again.
3.00 Ascot – Swinley Handicap Chase (3m)
Annsam has fallen back to a mark he can do some damage off and after an eye-catching effort here last time out, this looks the time to jump aboard.
He’s taken time to refind his feet after missing for much of 2023/24, but the engine appears to be intact, and although never really put in In D’Or’s race here last time, finished within hailing distance of the leaders. This looks a likely target for him for the year, given he likes the track, and he can get on top late.
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