With racing abandoned at a number of tracks on Friday (18/02), we look ahead to Saturday’s action across the UK and Ireland, in hope that racing is able to continue safely.
We provide a detailed preview of a number of races from Ascot, as well as our selections, and also look ahead at the Grand National Trial at Haydock.
There will also be mentions of Graded action elsewhere, at Wincanton and Gowran Park.
The first race we preview is the 1:50 Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot, over a trip just shy of 3 miles.
Does He Know heads the market for Kim Bailey in the hands of David Bass and appears the one to beat.
The ground may be a concern for the seven-year-old, as he is largely unproven on a softer surface.
He won his first two races over fences, before being beaten by the impressive Threeunderthrufive at Cheltenham on his last start in November.
Annual Invictus finished third of three when last seen on soft ground, and steps up in trip here which isn’t guaranteed to suit.
Corach Rambler is a proven stayer who drops back down in trip following his fourth-placed finish at Warwick recently, and conditions should suit the eight-year-old.
Doyen Breed is an interesting contender having finished second to Threeunderthrufive on his last appearance.
He is proven on a softer surface and could well feature at the finish.
Fern Hill was pulled-up when stepping up in trip at Doncaster last year and there could be concerns over his stamina.
Outsider J’ai Froid hasn’t quite fired over fences as of yet, but has plenty of form over hurdles and could be one to keep an eye on.
Our selection: Corach Rambler 7/2 – the eight-year-old is a proven stayer who will be sure to deal with the testing ground.
The 2:25 Swinley Chase market is headed by top-weight Fiddlerontheroof for trainer Colin Tizzard.
He comes into the race in good form, having finished in the top three in all of his appearances over fences to date.
Prior to his recent runs he had been running in small fields, but he has shown improvement race by race, and he has performed impressively this season.
Connections will decide his future plans following this race, with the eight-year-old holding entries in the Cheltenham Gold Cup as well as in the Grand National.
Ask Me Early is rated 16lbs lower than the favourite, but will likely pose a threat in this Listed Handicap.
He has been seen winning over hurdles the last twice, but returns over fences here and steps up to Listed company for the first time.
Caribean Boy stayed on to win on soft ground at Kempton last month and will enjoy conditions, whilst Cobolobo narrowly missed out on success at Ascot when last seen and will be hoping to go one better.
Larry is a course and distance winner, having been successful in a Grade 3 Handicap at the track in October, beating third-placed Regal Encore by nine-and-a-half lengths.
Fourteen-year-old Regal Encore runs for the first time after wind surgery here, and has plenty of experience at this course.
Fortescue finished third in a competitive Grade 2 Handicap last time out, and runs off 143 once again here, with jockey Hugh Nugent claiming 5lbs aboard the eight-year-old.
Venetia Williams’ Hold That Taught is difficult to fancy on recent form, but is capable of better for an in-form yard.
Truckers Lodge drops back down in trip following a third-placed finish in the Welsh Grand National, with jockey Lorcan Williams retaining the ride.
Sojurn has been pulled up the last twice, including after wind surgery last time out here, but he does have form on softer ground.
Our selection: Fiddlerontheroof 11/4 – he has shown enough class to expect he’ll be able to carry top-weight to victory here.
Ask Me Early (7/2) will be a tough opposition, receiving the weight, and could go close.
Veteran Regal Encore (20/1) could have each-way claims.
In the 3:38 Grade 1 Ascot Chase, Irish-raider Fakir D’oudairies, trained by Joseph O’Brien, is current favourite with bookmakers and is the highest-rated horse in the race with an official rating of 164.
On his last two appearances, he has run in Graded races won by Allaho, but prior to that recorded a Graded win of his own at Clonmel in November.
He finished second in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, beating King George VI winner, Tornado Flyer, and appears to be the one to beat here.
Saint Calvados finished third on his last outing, his first run since having wind surgery, in the King George VI Chase, in which Lostintranslation was the last to complete back in fifth.
Asterion Forlonge fell at the last when in second position, which allowed Saint Calvados to finish in the places, but the Paul Nicholls trained runner travelled comfortably through much of the race and will likely be suited by this drop back in trip.
Mister Fisher also featured in the race but was pulled up, and was never able to get on terms with the leaders.
He did manage to beat three opponents in the Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month, however, including runner-up Eldorado Allen who has subsequently gone on to win a Grade 2, beating Royale Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux in the Denman Chase last week.
Saint Calvados previously finished second in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, when trained by Harry Whittington, finishing a close second to Min and beating third-placed A Plus Tard.
Fanion D’Estruval, for Venetia Williams, ran well in second when last seen here at the track last month.
He returns to Graded company here, but was well-beaten by the favourite in the Ryanair Chase last year, and has plenty to do to reverse form.
The seven-year-old has capabilities and has been improving, but has only been running in handicaps this season and may find this too tough, despite the yard being in good form.
Dashel Drasher finished second behind Two For Gold in the Fleur De Lys Chase on heavy ground last month, giving 6lbs to the winner.
They meet at level weights here, with Two For Gold the outsider of the field, whilst Dashel Drasher is currently best-priced at 13/2 to retain his crown, having beaten the late Master Tommytucker to victory here last year.
Colin Tizzard’s Lostintranslation returned to form in the 1965 Chase here in November, beating Dashel Drasher by sixteen lengths, and a return to the course over the same distance will likely suit after a disappointing King George attempt.
Waiting Patiently has been pulled up on his last two starts, but drops back down in trip here.
The eleven-year-old hasn’t won since winning this in 2018, when he completed a seven-race winning streak.
Kim Bailey’s Two For Gold is the lowest rated in the race, but has proven himself to be a useful type able to compete in this company, and could run well at a bigger price.
Our selection: Dashel Drasher 13/2 – conditions should suit last year’s winner and, although this is more competitive, he is a big player.
Saint Calvados (4/1) could be the one to beat but with concerns surrounding the stable’s form in recent weeks he is perhaps a risky selection.
The rest of the card:
In the opener on the card (1:15), Unanswered Prayers (17/2) should do better than his fourth-placed finish on his recent Grade 2 outing.
He finished second behind Grade 1-winner Stage Star at Newbury in November, and is currently rated 126 but faces some unexposed and improving opponents here.
Skytastic (5/4) for Sam Thomas is the one to beat if able to handle the ground.
The unbeaten six-year-old beat 141-rated (hurdles) Orbys Legend, as well as Mr Glass, on debut in a bumper, and has won well on his two subsequent appearances.
In-form Charlie Deutsch retains the ride, with the jockey recording a 33% strike rate in the past fourteen days.
Hecouldbetheone (7/1) is also one to watch having won by twelve-lengths, and giving weight away, on his last outing at Plumpton.
He could be the one for the places.
Skytastic’s trainer, jockey and owner combine again in the Class 2 Handicap Hurdle (3:00), with Good Risk At All (2/1) favourite for the contest.
Stepping up in trip, the six-year-old will attempt to go one better than his last three runner-up finishes.
He is a Listed winner, beating currently 142-rated (hurdles) I Like To Move It in a bumper last February.
Cap Du Mathan (5/1) beat some nice types when seen at Taunton last month, whilst Piccadilly Lilly (14/1), by 2007 Derby-winner Authorized, is an interesting runner on debut for Alan King.
Outsider Easysland (40/1) drops back in trip and is likely to use this as a preparation run ahead of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham next month.
Imphal (9/2), rated 117, is the slight favourite in the seemingly wide open Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (4:10).
Of the bigger priced runners, Sirobbie and Amateur catch the eye, with both having each-way claims.
Sirobbie (16/1) is an impressive performer on his day, but can be relatively inconsistent.
He finished a decent second on his last run, albeit eleven-lengths behind 125-rated winner Scarpia, whilst also giving 9lbs to the winner.
Currently rated 120 over hurdles, claimer Alfie Jordan takes 7lbs off and the eight-year-old could stay on well on the softer surface.
Amateur (16/1) hasn’t been seen over hurdles for more than two years, but has been performing well in handicaps over fences.
He is a consistent type, regularly placing, and is guaranteed to stay the trip on the ground.
Roc of Dundee (9/4) heads the betting under 7lb claimer Peter Kavanagh in the Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race (4:45) at the back end of the card.
Trainer Donald McCain’s runners have been performing at a strike rate of 39% in the last two weeks, and there is plenty to suggest another winner is on the cards here.
Colin Tizzard’s four-year-old filly Ilovethenightlife (5/1) by Walk In The Park is an interesting runner who could be worth watching on debut.
Turning our attention to Haydock, the Rendlesham Hurdle is run at 2:05 and Thomas Darby is currently vying for favouritism with mare Molly Ollys Wishes.
Both have won on heavy ground over a shorter trip, but Thomas Darby is currently rated 10lbs higher than his rival who will receive 7lbs due to the mares’ allowance here.
Thomas Darby finished fourth in the Long Walk Hurdle when last seen, but prior to that he did win the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, beating an impressive field.
Molly Ollys Wishes won a Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle last month, but will need to show improvement on her previous runs against the opposite sex.
Third Wind is a useful type but has been out of form so far this season.
Top Ville Ben beat Emitom on heavy ground at Lingfield last month, but has 15lbs to find with Thomas Darby on ratings, receiving 6lbs here.
Wholestone has been absent for 455-days, whilst outsider Emitom is a former winner of the contest having been successful in 2020.
Our selection: Top Ville Ben 8/1 – without a strong fancy in the race we’re inclined to side with Philip Kirby’s runner, available at an enticing price.
The top two in the market have plenty of question marks surrounding them and if they perform below par that could leave the door open.
Top Ville Ben, receiving weight and proven on the ground, could be the one to take advantage at the finish.
Previous Welsh Grand National winner Secret Reprieve heads the market for Evan Williams, running off a mark of 138, in the 2:40 Grand National Trial.
He could only manage fifth when attempting to retain his Welsh Grand National crown in December and has subsequently been dropped 2lbs.
Sam Brown finished a respectable second in the Peter Marsh Chase last month, which puts him right in the mix here, whilst Enqarde won when last seen at the course in December.
Course and distance winner Blaklion finished sixth in last year’s Grand National and the thirteen-year-old has plenty of experience in similar contests.
Course specialist Bristol De Mai will have to carry top-weight to victory, and is the proven class of the race.
Following two runs in unsuited conditions, the eleven-year-old made a promising return at Lingfield last month, finishing second in the Fleur De Lys Chase, and showed he is still capable of putting in good performances against tough opponents.
Last year’s winner Lord Du Mesnil returns off a 1lb higher mark, and isn’t one to rule out, but he could only manage sixth in the Peter Marsh, finishing behind Sam Brown and Kalooki.
Time To Get Up isn’t qualified to run in the Grand National this year, having been fancied by many, but is certainly one to consider here having shown plenty of staying ability.
He won two staying contests last year at Wincanton and Uttoxeter respectively, and will likely improve on his November return at Aintree.
The Galloping Bear won the Surrey National in testing conditions as top-weight when last seen at Lingfield, and is rated 5lbs higher this time out.
He is unexposed at this level, which makes him an interesting contender at a decent each-way price.
Mint Condition has stamina to prove as he steps up to a trip significantly further than 3 miles for the first time, having been seen over 3 miles 58 yards previously when struggling to make an impact.
Sidi Ismael steps up in class following a fall at Catterick, but prior to that David Pipe’s runner recorded a three-timer, including a win on a softer surface.
Kalooki finished ahead of Lord Du Mesnil but behind Sam Brown, as mentioned, when last seen, but did win a Class 3 Handicap ahead of some respected opponents on his prior run.
Our selection: Bristol De Mai 15/2 – the popular grey is the best horse in the race, but it will be a tough task to give away so much weight to his younger, progressive rivals.
However, he has plenty of form at the track, and will relish the heavy ground and testing conditions.
Blaklion (9/1) and The Galloping Bear (10/1) are two for the places.
At Wincanton, the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle is run at 3:20, with last year’s winner Goshen the odds-on favourite to make it back-to-back wins.
He runs off the same rating of 156, but faces lesser-rated opponents this time out.
Last year he made light work of Song For Someone, who was rated 158 at the time.
Here, his closest rival appears to be 152-rated Adagio, making his second run following wind surgery and receiving 3lbs from the favourite.
Adagio is a consistent and reliable runner, placing in all of his runs to date, and was last seen finishing second to the improving West Cork, giving his elder rival 13lbs.
He has form on soft ground, but hasn’t been seen on heavy ground over obstacles.
Faivoir has been competing over fences of late, but had been a useful type over hurdles, winning five times.
Llandinabo Lad is the outsider of the four and has plenty to find with the others.
At Gowran Park, the Red Mills Trial Hurdle is run at 2:20, where the impressive Teahupoo heads the market, continuing his rivalry with last year’s Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios, whom he beat at Limerick in December.
Course and distance winners Saldier and Darasso also line up, which makes for an extremely interesting contest.
Felix Desjy, The Tide Turns and outsider Roi Mage are also entered, currently at double-figure prices.
This year’s renewal of the Red Mills Chase comes at 3:30, and Melon is the odds-on favourite for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, the trainer and jockey combination successful in this last year with Bachasson.
Chatham Street Lad runs for Michael Winters, dropping back down in trip, and Daly Tiger, Hardline and Sizing Pottsie complete the line up.
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