Katie Midwinter (26/10/23)
CHELTENHAM
1:15pm – Class 2 Handicap Chase
BEFORE MIDNIGHT 5/1 – Fergal O’Brien, Mr Ben Sutton (7)
The course-and-distance winner has slid down the handicap to a mark of 135 and now makes his chase debut for his new yard, having been seen over hurdles on unsuited heavy ground at Chepstow earlier this month. Now trained by Fergal O’Brien, whose horses have been running well of late despite only saddling two winners in the past fortnight, Ben Sutton claims 7lbs aboard which could prove incredibly helpful. With course form and experience in his favour, he is a reliable selection in the opener on the card. Having opened at 10/1 on Thursday, the ten-year-old has been backed into as short as 4/1 at current odds, which instills further confidence in his chances.
2:25pm – Class 2 Handicap Chase
AMIRITE 5/1 – Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore
Irish-raider Amirite was pulled up when sent off as favourite for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April. The ground was soft on that day and only six horses managed to complete the marathon 3m5f test. It is a run worth forgiving and he enters calculations on his return. The Knockeen representative is lightly-raced and relatively unexposed in this kind of contest, therefore demands maximum respect in the hands of Rachael Blackmroe.
THE WOLF 20/1 (EW) – Olly Murphy, Sean Bowen
A cliff horse last season, The Wolf got back to winning ways with success at Perth in April and was given a 7lbs rise, now running off a mark of 135. He has run well at the track in the past when rated higher, and if he is able to travel well and jump with fluency he is in with an excellent chance of making the frame.
3:00pm – Class 2 Handicap Hurdle
MOONOVERCLOON 14/1 (EW) – Matthew J Smith, James Smith (7)
Another Irish-raider to keep onside and one that may fly under the radar in this hotly-contested race. Matthew Smith’s improving six-year-old has been in excellent form this summer, performing consistently well and recording two wins. He is on an upward trajectory and is worthy of consideration in this contest.
DONCASTER
2:10pm – Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1)
ANCIENT WISDOM 11/8 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
The Doncaster card fell foul to the dreary weather on Friday, but although there is an inspection planned ahead of Saturday’s card that features the season’s final Group One in Britain, it’s hopeful racing will go ahead. Testing conditions are expected and a proven contender on soft going is Godolphin favourite Ancient Wisdom.
The Charlie Appleby-trained colt has three wins to his name and the only blemish on his record was when third in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot in July when beaten four-and-three-quarter-lengths by Rosallion in third-place. Rosallion subsequently landed Group One honours at Longchamp, whilst runner-up Al Musmak recorded a Listed victory of his own before finishing second in the Royal Lodge Stakes, beating Ballydoyle colt Capulet. Fourth-placed Alyanaabi won the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket before chasing home City Of Troy in the Dewhurst, whilst fifth-placed Dancing Gemini has subsequently won twice, including the Flying Scotsman Stakes. Sunway was sixth at Ascot and recently won a Group One at Saint-Cloud.
The form of Ancient Wisdom’s only defeat has worked out exceptionally well, instilling confidence in the colt ahead of his first Group One assignment. With proven form in softer conditions, a stamina-laden pedigree being out of Group Three winner Golden Valentine, who won over 1m4f on heavy, and a touch of class about him, he could provide trainer Appleby with a first success in a race that has been dominated by Aidan O’Brien in recent years.
Leading trainer O’Brien saddled subsequent Derby winner Auguste Rodin in a testing renewal last year having saddled talented Luxembourg in the contest the year prior. Whilst it is often unwise to go against the Ballydoyle maestro, and it would be no surprise to see Diego Velazquez improve plenty, Appleby may hold the trump card this year with Ancient Wisdom.
The Dubawi colt is out of broodmare Golden Valentine, a Group Three winner who recorded success on heavy, and with plenty of stamina in his pedigree, he is certain to stay the trip in testing conditions and has shown he possesses class.
4:25pm – Class 3 Handicap
ZIP 15/2 – Richard Fahey, Billy Garritty
Course-and-distance winner Zip is a likable grey who has dropped down to a mark of 87, 2lbs lower than his last winning mark. The seven-year-old gelding thrives in softer conditions and will be hoping for a testing race in which others are likely to struggle.
5:28pm – Class 4 Handicap
LOCKDOWN LASS 5/1 – Gary Hanmer, Oisin Murphy
The five-year-old mare has won three races this season and has finished among the places on five occasions. She has been enjoying a wonderful campaign and had excuses when last seen at Chester, having gone off too quickly out in front and struggling to maintain a challenge towards the finish on heavy ground. Having won on soft in the past, conditions will not be a problem for the mare, who is partnered by Oisin Murphy for the first time.
GALWAY
4:17pm – Handicap Hurdle
BALLYADAM DESTINY 25/1 (EW) – Shane Ryder, Daniel King (3)
A tracker horse and one that has often run well at big prices, Ballyadam Destiny gets his desired conditions at Galway and is fresh following a third-placed finish at Limerick in May. He finished first past the post in the race last year when rated 5lbs lower but was later disqualified. Now running off a mark of 114, with Daniel King claiming 3lbs, he has a chance to enter the frame at an enticing price.
All runners and prices are correct at the time of publication.
THE CONDITIONAL 