The Conditional returns after a short absence, with previews from a select number of races as well as our predictions.
We look ahead to an exciting Saturday in sport including the return of top-level club football, international rugby, the latter stages of the Grand Slam of Darts 2021, as well as plenty of action from the equine world.
One of the highlights of the day will be the big race from Haydock, the Betfair Chase, where A Plus Tard and Bristol De Mai go head-to-head among a field packed with talent.
There is plenty to enjoy on the card at Haydock, as well as some great racing from Ascot and Gowran Park (IRE), as well as from other tracks in the UK.
Haydock
Novices’ Hurdle – 12:10
The opening race on the card at Haydock is a Listed hurdle for novices’.
Harry Fry’s Might I heads the market as evens favourite, having won his debut over hurdles last time out at Newton Abbot, following two runs, including one win, in bumpers.
Sonignio, for Paul Nicholls, was expected to make his debut for the yard at Cheltenham last Sunday, but had a stone bruise.
He has won twice over hurdles in France, and is an exciting prospect.
Barrichello is the most experienced hurdler in the field, and looks to be a progressive type.
He is yet to finish outside the top three in his seven runs for Donald McCain’s yard, and won very impressively by twenty-five-lengths last time out.
Jennie Candlish’s It’s Good To Laugh has plenty of experience on the flat, and has done well since switching to hurdles, winning his first two races, the first in a dead-heat.
He will be attempting a hat-trick of wins here.
Knickerbockerglory for Dan Skelton and filly Haute Estime for Lucinda Russell complete the line-up.
Our prediction: Whilst many of these runners are inexperienced and it’s difficult to predict how good they may be, we believe the most reliable runner is the experienced Barrichello at 11/2 in the hands of Brian Hughes.
However, Sonigino making his British debut is interesting, and he could prove to be a very valuable addition to the Nicholls’ yard.
Betfair Chase – 3:00
Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up A Plus Tard is the favourite to win this renewal for Henry De Bromhead on his seasonal debut ahead of a campaign in which connections will hope to go one better in the illustrious race at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Bristol De Mai is aiming to equal the great Kauto Star’s record of four wins in the race, but the ground isn’t expected to be in his favour.
However, he loves the course at Haydock and has won four of his five appearances here, including once on good ground in the 2018 renewal.
Next Destination is the representative for Paul Nicholls’ stable, and has decent form behind Galvin who finished ahead of Minella Indo on last appearance.
Another who was last seen running in the Gold Cup is Venetia Williams’ Royal Pagaille.
He finished sixth there and is aiming for another run in the race this season.
Waiting Patiently will make his debut for trainer Christian Williams, whilst Kim Bailey will hope Imperial Aura has a change in luck having unseated his rider and been pulled-up in his last two appearances following a hat-trick of successive wins last year, including a Cheltenham win ahead of the aforementioned Galvin.
Clondaw Castle has lost his last two races by large margins, whilst other Irish-raider Chatham Street Lad for Michael Winters will attempt to go the extra distance here, having his first run over the extended trip.
Our prediction: A Plus Tard is a worthy favourite, but doesn’t tend to win on season debuts and faces some stiff opposition here.
Imperial Aura is one to consider at a tastier price if able to bounce back to form, whilst Royal Pagaille is an interesting contender who didn’t run his race at Cheltenham and will surely have improved over the break.
Over the trip we favour Next Destination at 15/2 (EW), but our heart is with the gutsy grey and we expect class to prevail and Bristol De Mai 7/2 to make history.
Ascot
1965 Chase – 2:05
Dashel Drasher finished last season with three wins, but hasn’t been seen since February when he beat Master Tommytucker and Bennys King over course and distance in the Ascot Chase.
The runner-up on that occasion, Master Tommytucker, seemed to be travelling well until late over hurdles at Wetherby last month, and returns back over fences.
Bennys King hasn’t fired since winning at the track last December, whilst Nicky Henderson’s Pistol Whipped runs for the first time at Ascot stepping back up in grade.
Defi Du Seuil returns over the extended trip, stepping back up to over 20f for the first time since winning the Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham in 2019.
If able to rediscover his impressive form as a six-year-old, Phillip Hobbs’ gelding should feature here.
Lostintranslation hasn’t impressed since finishing a close third in the 2020 Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but has plenty of class and shouldn’t be ruled out.
Our prediction: It’s between the top two in the market, and both possess plenty of ability to impress here.
However, Defi Du Seuil stepping back up in trip isn’t guaranteed to bring back the form we have seen from him in previous years instantly, and he may come on from the run.
Dashel Drasher’s form is solid, but is another who may need the run.
At the prices, we believe Defi Du Seuil, receiving weight, is the likeliest victor if returning to form, whilst Master Tommytucker (EW) has already had a run-out this season, and has each-way claims if his jumping is up to scratch.
The Ascot Hurdle – 2:40
6/5 favourite Buzz comes into this race following an impressive win on the flat in the Cesarewitch last month, and will be looking to continue his good form over hurdles here.
He finished last season strongly, finding only Abacadabras too good in the Aintree Hurdle, and will be the one to beat.
The ever unpredictable Goshen returns to track for the first time since finishing a disappointing fifth in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Prior to this he beat Song For Someone easily at Wincanton, in preparation for the Cheltenham Festival, before losing all chance in the Champion Hurdle by hanging badly and not running his race.
The aforementioned Song For Someone bypassed the Champion Hurdle in favour of the Aintree Hurdle, but never travelled and was pulled up after the sixth fence.
Molly Ollys Wishes has already raced this season, winning a Listed Mares’ Hurdle comfortably at Wetherby last month.
She has looked impressive and receives weight from the others.
The outsider of the field, Guard Your Dreams, has been on our watchlist since winning his hurdling debut at Bangor-On-Dee last year.
He has run well in novice company and in handicaps, but this is a much stiffer test.
Our prediction: At his best, Goshen is clearly capable of putting on a show here, and winning impressively.
But, he isn’t always at his best, and that is why he’s a risky selection in such a strong field, despite only having five runners.
Song For Someone is another who will need to return to form, whilst Guard Your Dreams could show plenty of improvement.
Buzz at 6/5 is a short-price, but he seems the most reliable selection given his recent success, and his previous good form over obstacles.
Gowran Park
In the 12:00 Beginners Chase, Cheltenham Novices’ Hurdle hero Bob Olinger (1/3) makes his debut over fences, whilst Master Mcshee (25/1) and Low Lie The Fields (66/1) could both have each-way claims at big prices.
KM
THE CONDITIONAL 
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