Katie Midwinter (02/12/22)
SANDOWN
2:20pm – Handicap Hurdle
Love Envoi appears the one to beat in this field in this ten-runner field. The Harry Fry-trained mare has solid form and hasn’t done much wrong in her career to date. She is quite short in the market however, and it could be worth looking elsewhere for some value.
Venetia Williams’ new recruit Martator is an interesting contender on his debut for the stable. The Listed-winner was last seen featuring in a Grade One at Auteuil over a year ago, and lines up as a bit on an unknown quantity.
The yard’s horses have a reputation for thriving in softer conditions and, with some in ease expected on the hurdles course at Sandown, he could go well in his first run following wind surgery.
Another interesting contender is Donald McCain’s Nayati (12/1) who was last seen winning impressively at Bangor-On-Dee early in November. He is 6lbs higher for that run but has 3lbs claimer Theo Gillard aboard.
The eight-year-old gelding had been absent for 1013 days (since December 2019) before he made his long-awaited successful return at Perth in September. He then finished third at Cheltenham before his recent win and could be a decent each-way bet in this contest.
2:55pm – Tingle Creek Chase (Grade 1)
This year’s contest appears to be a quality renewal, given that all six intended runners do line up. The ground is on the good side, described as Good, Good To Soft in places, and may retain some moisture allowing the main protagonists to take their place on centre stage.
Reigning victor Greaneteen must be respected attempting to retain his crown. Paul Nicholls’ gelding is efficient around this track, winning all of his last three runs here in Grade One company.
He will be primed for this prize once again and benefits from having a recent run, following the same path as he has in the past two years, running in the Haldon Gold Cup before taking his chance in this race.
When last seen at Exeter he put in an impressive performance, comfortably beating stablemate Dolos to record his eighth win over fences. There’s plenty in his favour but he does face returning icon Shishkin.
Nicky Henderson’s stable star was last seen being pulled-up in a soft ground renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The ground, whilst described as soft, was incredibly testing on the day, suffering greatly from the relentless rainfall that poured down over Prestbury Park.
It is worth forgiving his lacklustre effort, as he never travelled with any vigour, and was found to have been suffering from a rare bone condition following the race.
The risk on Saturday is whether or not Shishkin is back to his excellent best, having suffered from an injury it could be worth watching him for now. However, it’s unlikely Henderson would run his superstar if he wasn’t ready for this challenge, and Shishkin at his best is a formidable, normally unbeatable, force.
Another angle worth watching in the race is the match between Edwardstone and Gentleman De Mee. The latter, an Irish-raider trained by Willie Mullines, could arguably be shorter in the market, and is possibly overpriced in comparison with Alan King’s older gelding.
The pair met at Aintree in the Maghull Novices’ Chase in April, where Gentleman De Mee got the better of the odds-on favourite, beating him by four-and-a-half-lengths. Excuses could be made for Edwardstone, as the race may have come too soon following his Cheltenham escapades.
However, the British horse is likely to prefer ground with slightly more ease, and it could be difficult for him to reverse form with his rival on a sounder surface. Gentleman De Mee also benefits from a recent run, of sorts, having appeared at Naas last month, failing to complete when unlucky to unseat his rider at the last.
AINTREE
1:30pm – Many Clouds Chase (Grade 2)
Ahoy Senor was disappointing at Wetherby, when failing to be competitive in a race won by the faultless Bravemansgame. He may have needed the run there, as he was fresh and keen to get on with things from the off.
Paint The Dream hassled him for the lead, which appeared to further light up Lucinda Russell’s gelding, and he found nothing when asked in the closing stages, tamely folding and eventually finishing a tailed-off fifth of five.
A return to Aintree could bring improvement, as Ahoy Senor won the Mildmay Novices’ Chase when last seen here in April, to record his first Grade One success over fences. He has won both of his races at the track, and if he is able to settle better into the race and get into a rhythm early on, he should have enough class to overcome his rivals.
Sounds Russian is an intriguing runner for Ruth Jefferson. The progressive seven-year-old has come a long way in a short period of time following his maiden win exactly a year ago. He was rated 111 when winning at Sedgefield in his fifth racecourse appearance, and now runs off a career-high mark of 157, whilst receiving weight from many of his rivals in this field.
Of the others, Chantry House has plenty of class on his day, but isn’t convincing and can be inconsistent. Sam Brown will be plodding along at the finish and it would be no surprise to see him passing rivals in the closing stages.
Dashel Drasher is a favourite for many a horse racing fan and, although often seen over hurdles, has shown he can be effective over fences. He may find this too tough a test of stamina, but he is a brave horse who always puts in a gallant effort and should never be completely disregarded.
2:05pm – Becher Chase (Premier Handicap)
This year’s Becher Chase looks an especially competitive renewal, with a case to be made for many horses featuring. The lovely grey mare Snow Leopardess is 6lbs higher than when narrowly beating Hill Sixteen to the victory in last year’s contest.
Although she is a strong stayer, capable of putting in a good performance in her attempt to retain her crown, the ground may go against on this occasion, with the mare preferring plenty of ease underfoot.
Ashtown Lad and Gesskille are both prominent in the market, as is Willie Mullins’ representative Captain Kangaroo, who is running off an enticing mark of 135 with 3lbs claimer Jack Foley aboard.
At a slightly bigger price perhaps one to consider is Olly Murphy’s The Wolf (16/1). He ran poorly in the early stages of his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, and looked out of the running after jumping a few fences.
It appeared as though he had little chance of making the frame, rising poorly at the obstacles, becoming out of touch with the field and having to be pushed along when others were travelling smoothly.
Jockey Adrian Heskin kept going with the eight-year-old gelding who slowly got himself back in the race, starting jumping with more fluency and stayed on when others were faltering.
It was an incredible ride by Heskin and a grand effort by The Wolf to finish second, unable to peg back eventual winner Lord Accord, but finishing well to fill the runner-up spot.
This is his second run following wind surgery, which is often the time to back a horse as they can show plenty of improvement. He will need to jump better in the early stages over these Aintree fences, but he is capable of doing so, and appears a decent each-way bet at the prices.
Old favourite Cloth Cap is also set to line up and is available at a huge price as he attempts to redeem himself following a number of disappointing showings. The Jam Man is capable of putting in a good performance, and could be one for the extra places but may be worth keeping an eye on if his mark comes down in future.
2:40pm – Handicap Chase
There’s an obvious case to be made for current market leader Riders Onthe Storm who beat the promising Hitman when last seen over course and distance. He is only 2lbs higher here with champion jockey Brian Hughes aboard, and sets the standard in this handicap contest. However, he can be inconsistent and there is value represented elsewhere in the field.
Outsider of the field Empire Steel (28/1) could outrun his big odds to land a placed finish. Whilst he must carry the top weight of 12st to victory, he is a capable horse on his day and has done well over a similar trip in the past.
The gelding also goes well fresh and with the yard in flying form there is plenty in his favour. Sandy Thomson has saddled four winners from his last fourteen runners and had the highest strike rate of National Hunt trainers in November, recording a 37% strike rate.
THE CONDITIONAL 