Katie Midwinter (15/02/24)
ASCOT
1:50 – Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)
Apple Away looks the worthy favourite in this Grade Two contest. She had jumped well overall in three starts over fences to date, and beat a subsequent winner in Makin’youmindup at Leicester. The seven-year-old mare appears to still be learning her trade over fences and can keep on improving.
Her victory in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle win at Aintree was an exceptional piece of form given she beat Grade Two winner Maximilian (absence this term due to injury), two Cheltenham Festival winners in Iroko and Stay Away Fay, plus the likes of Saint Davy and Absolute Notions. Grey Dawning was a notable faller at Aintree and proved superior to Apple Away at Warwick, yet the formidable mare is unlikely to face that standard of opponent this time.
Brave Kingdom and Kilbeg King both pose dangerous threats to the favourite however, and the former is four from five for Paul Nicholls, so far unbeaten over fences. He had things all his own way on chasing debut at Plumpton, keeping things simple from the front and putting in a good round of jumping, but had to battle to beat Theatre Man at Newbury, the form of which has subsequently been ranked with the runner-up going on to finish second to Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham.
Kilbeg King finished a good third behind the incredible Il Est Francais in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, travelling best of the challengers coming around the home bend and staying on well. The Anthony Honeyball-trained nine-year-old had the option of running in handicap on the card, but is presented with a chance of Grade Two glory and should enter calculations.
Henry’s Friend and The King Of Ryhope both need to find plenty to compete with the main protagonists. Whilst neither have masses to find on ratings, on form they both appear inferior and would have to show a considerable amount of improvement to make the frame.
Selection: Kilbeg King 3/1
2:25 – Class 2 Handicap Hurdle
Rare Edition sets the standard in this contest, potentially incredibly well handicapped on his current mark. When last seen he stayed on well at Kempton to pull clear of the field, appearing to have enough in his armour to repel any challenger whilst giving 18lbs away to the eventual second and third respectively. It was an improvement on his first run of the season when third at Doncaster, and a mark of 139 appears lenient considering his form as a novice prior to runs at Grade One level in the latter stages of his season.
At Kempton last term he beat now 149-rated Rubaud by seven-lengths, but whilst Rubaud opted for a more understated route during the rest of his season, winning the Dovecote at Kempton before victorious in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, which allowed him to achieve his high rating, Rare Edition faced the likes of Marine Nationale, Facile Vega and Inthepocket at the big spring festivals. He could be well ahead of his current mark and is clearly highly thought of by his connections who gave him the opportunity to run against the best in his division last term.
In-form Olly Murphy is represented by improving hurdler Rambo T, who was an easy winner at Newbury when last seen. This trip appears to be his optimum and his earlier season form reads well having beaten the consistent Shallow River, a recent winner at Exeter. There could be more to come from this seven-year-old gelding, but he must contend with a 9lb rise here which could hamper his progress.
Hyland could only manage third behind Ed Keeper when up 6lbs for his Cheltenham victory in October. The drop back in trip makes him an interesting contender, having won over 2m5f at Warwick on his seasonal reappearance, however he remains on a mark of 135 and may be best watched for now.
Last year’s victor Irish Hill beat since-retired Zoffany Bay to land the valuable handicap twelve months ago, and is now rated 3lbs lower with Freddie Gingell claiming 5lbs. He shaped with promise at Newbury when second to Rambo T but was well beaten in the Lanzarote at Kempton and may be vulnerable.
Jay Jay Reilly is up 7lbs for his recent win, but he is three from six over hurdles and could well be capable of putting in another bold showing.
Selection: Rare Edition 6/1
3:00 – Swinley Handicap (Premier Handicap)
An intriguing handicap featuring a number of familiar faces is on the card at Ascot, with the market headed by course-and-distance winner Victtorino who can put his Cheltenham woes behind him with a return to the track at which he has recorded both wins for Venetia Williams.
The ever consistent Threeunderthrufive looked to have every chance when beaten by Broadway Boy at Cheltenham, but bumped into an in-form improver on that occasion and has been put up 2lbs by the handicapper. Whilst he’s a reliable each-way selection, he struggles to get his head in front which could be the case once again off a mark of 152.
Making his first run of the season is Revels Hill who was badly hampered early on when last seen in the bet365 Gold Cup but stayed on well to finish third. Now 1lb lower, he may come on for the run as, although he has run well fresh in the past, he is yet to win on seasonal reappearance. Shan Blue is up 1lb for finishing third to Triple Trade on his only start at Ascot, but he isn’t the most reliable and could be found wanting.
With slight doubts over a number of contenders towards the head of the market, the nod goes to outsider of the field Rapper. The Henry Daly-trained veteran is back on his last winning mark of 137, and is likely to get better ground than on which he has been racing in recent runs.
A force to be reckoned with at this time of year, running to a 50 percent strike rate during the winter months prior to this season, with three wins from six and two placed efforts, his only run outside of the places was when fifth under top weight off a 6lb higher mark last term at Sandown. He represents tremendous value at an enticing each-way price and could be one to watch for a trainer that saddled Fortescue to victory in the race two years ago.
Selection: Rapper 25/1
3:36 – Ascot Chase (Grade 1)
A select field of four head to post in this Grade One contest, with the market headed by the magnificent L’Homme Presse. He made a winning return to action with victory over Protektorat in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield, moving swiftly past the eventual runner-up when asked for an effort by jockey Charlie Deutsch. This trip may be short enough at this stage in his career, but he is the one to beat and possesses enough class to lay down a marker ahead of a possible attempt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Pic D’Orhy is a formidable contender at this level, with proven Grade One form in the book. He travelled strongly, matching Banbridge stride for stride in the Silviniaco Conti Chase when last seen, but lost some momentum at the last and finished second. He may have a bit to find to reach the level shown by L’Homme Presse and Ahoy Senor at their best, but will be suited by the conditions and is a reliable type.
The aforementioned Ahoy Senor finished fourth in the Cotswold Chase when last seen, putting in a much better round of jumping than in his previous appearances this term, and staying on despite jockey Stephen Mulqueen losing his stirrup at the fourth last. He may well have finished closer without that inconvenience and can build on that performance with another good showing here. Using his usual front-running tactics he will be able to dominate, and if he is able to get into a rhythm he could be tough to pass.
Sail Away has 28lbs to find with the favourite on ratings and needs to show masses of improvement to feature, therefore on paper looks an unlikely winner. But in a small, compact field, anything could happen, and tactics may play a big part.
Selection: Ahoy Senor 11/2
HAYDOCK
1:02 – Mares’ Hurdle (Listed Race)
Grade Two winning mare You Wear It Well has raced once on heavy when a disappointing beaten favourite in the Fighting Fifth at Sandown. It’s likely there were more factors at play than just disliking the ground on that occasion and she has performed well enough on soft to suggest she’ll be able to cope with attritional conditions. She ran well at Doncaster behind Marie’s Rock, failing to stay the trip as well as her rival and eventual winner, but returning to some form. The Cheltenham Festival winner is clear on ratings and should get back to winning ways.
Windtothelightning has form ahead of Coquelicot and Stainsby Girl when fourth to Nurse Susan at Cheltenham. She’s still improving but has to find more to match the level shown by the favourite.
Course-and-distance winner Stainsby Girl is likely to adopt her usual front-running tactics which could help her cause in the closing stages, given she will have conserved enough energy to stay on in energy zapping ground. She has proven form on heavy ground, but this trip is probably as far as she’d like and if she goes off at too quick a pace and it turns into a tough stamina test, she could be vulnerable.
The aforementioned Coquelicot is a strong stayer who can use her stamina to good effect in these testing conditions. She appears a big price at current odds but with only five runners, and each-way bet makes little appeal and she has 12lbs to find with the favourite on ratings.
Selection: You Wear It Well 8/11
2:10 – Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle (Class 2)
An extremely promising young horse in the form of Salver makes his fourth career start in this juvenile contest. He has shaped with a lot of promise so far in three unbeaten runs for Gary Moore, and convincingly won a Chepstow Grade Two when last seen, despite still showing signs of greenness.
His rounded knee action would suggest he enjoys softer conditions, and he was able to put twenty-one-lengths between himself and runner-up Balboa in attritional ground. He’ll be suited by the testing nature of the track at Haydock and should extend his unbeaten run ahead of a Cheltenham Festival appearance.
Castelfort is another promising juvenile in the race, bidding for a hat-trick of wins following two successes on heavy ground. The Jane Williams-trained gelding will also cope with conditions and the form of his wins has worked out well, with Royal Way, another promising Gary Moore representative, going on to finish a similar margin second to Sir Gino in his subsequent run following a third-placed effort behind Castelfort at Sandown.
Whilst both juveniles could go on to enjoy successful futures, exciting prospect Salver gets the nod having made such an impact in his first few starts.
Selection: Salver 4/7
2:40 – Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2)
A winner over course-and-distance, Botox Has will be suited by the return to Haydock on softer going and is the one to beat at this level. Whilst he has found it tough against the likes of Crambo and Paisley Park, he travelled well into the Cleeve Hurdle won by Noble Yeats when last seen, before making a bad mistake at the third last, losing some momentum and weakening late on. He doesn’t appear to be the most effective at Cheltenham either, but a return to a track at which he’s proven, in what is calmer waters, can allow him to confirm the form with Red Risk and land his second victory of the season.
The improving Butch is a formidable rival and must be respected bidding for a four-timer. He showed great tenacity to grind out the win at Cheltenham, beating a rallying My Bobby Dazzler, impressing with his toughness and determination. This requires another step up which is possible with the yard in good order.
Sounds Russian hasn’t been seen since he was brought down in last year’s Gold Cup and will surely come on for the run before returning over fences, whilst outsider of the field Martha Brae is unlikely to be suited by conditions having been withdrawn on account of heavy ground in the past, and with most of her form coming on ground with good in the description. Reigning champion Wakool shouldn’t be discounted 2lbs lower than his winning mark twelve months ago, but this is a tougher renewal.
Selection: Botox Has 9/4
3:15 – Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
It’s 11/2 the field in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, suggesting it’s an open contest with plenty of live chances. The familiar colours of Trevor Hemmings, known now as Hemmings Racing, have been synonymous with the Grand National itself this century, with winners in the form Hedgehunter, Ballabrigs and Many Clouds. The colours were carried into third-placed by Cloudy Glen in this race last year, and there are two lively contenders representing in this renewal.
Jonjo O’Neill saddles Iron Bridge, a distant second to Nassalam in the Welsh Grand National when last seen. He is still relatively unexposed over these marathon trips and showed enough tenacity in the attritional ground at Chepstow to suggest there is plenty more to come from him and he could go one better soon.
Famous Bridge represents Nicky Richards, a trainer who’s two from three at the track this term. The eight-year-old made a couple of errors at Doncaster and failed to get into a rhythm, too far behind to have any impact on matters. He remains on a mark of 138, 4lbs higher than when seen winning the Tommy Whittle at the course in December. The testing conditions will suit and he holds leading claims.
Emma Lavelle’s My Silver Lining was a heartwarming winner at Warwick when beating formidable mare Galia Des Liteaux. The ground was described as soft but had been drying throughout the day and, whilst it was hard work, it’s likely it will be much different at Haydock. The in-form mare has form on heavy ground, when winning a two-mile novice hurdle, but this could turn into a gruelling race and it will be the toughest test of stamina she has faced.
Credo is down 1lb after finishing fourth behind My Silver Lining at Warwick. She came from far back in the pack to mount her challenge, staying on well despite being pushed along early enough in the closing stages. This contest could suit perfectly and she enters calculations.
Former Welsh Grand National winner Iwilldoit managed third when attempting to regain his crown at Chepstow, putting in a good effort. He’s now given a chance by the handicapper, only 2lbs higher than his last winning mark when he beat Mr Incredible who went on to finish third in the Kim Muir off top weight. The Sam Thomas-trained veteran stays well and has 5lb claimer Dylan Johnston slightly easing his weight-carrying burden, which could make all of the difference on this energy zapping ground.
First-time cheekpieces are tried on Yeah Man who raced lazily throughout at Ascot when last seen. The Irish-raider rallied well to just fail at the hands of Victtorino, but although he has placed on heavy ground in the past, the testing conditions are a concern.
Snipe has 3lb claimer Tristan Durrell aboard as he carries a featherweight off a mark of 124. The unexposed gelding is signficantly up in class and further improvement is needed, but he finishes his race strongly and he could be ahead of his mark. His running style of being held up before coming with a late charge could cause problems in this ground however, and he’ll need to time his challenge to perfection if he is to return to winning ways.
Selection: Famous Bridge 13/2
WINCANTON
One to watch: Rosy Redrum (1:30)
It’s a joy to see Rosy Redrum back in action following a 448-day absence. She took a hefty fall when competing in a Listed Newbury event won by Luccia in November 2022 but is making her long awaited return in this maiden hurdle, receiving 7lbs from the geldings.
Harry Reed is in the saddle for in-form trainer Anthony Charlton, and given she won on debut, there is a chance she could be ready for this challenge and make a winning return. She showed plenty of promise at the beginning of career and is one to follow in the future.
2:05 – Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2)
Co-favourites of three suggest this is an incredibly open race despite there being only five runners. Expected favourite Rubaud, a course-and-distance winner, has already drifted significantly having been much shorter towards the top of the market once declarations were announced. Whilst he is the highest-rated in the field, he does face stiff opposition and this is far from a straightforward task.
Everything went smoothly for Rubaud in the Elite Hurdle, and he was never really challenged with nearest rival Hansard making a few jumping errors late on and failing to mount a threatening challenge. He ran to form behind Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle and is still improving. It’s plausible that he could win this race but he must give weight away to his rivals bar Goshen, and that could give the advantage to one of the other contenders in the field.
Nemean Lion had the option of running in the Rendlesham but connections have opted to keep him over this shorter trip, a drop back from his Lanzarote second but a distance over which he is proven. With testing conditions expected at the track, he could use his stamina capabilities to good effect late on.
Colonel Mustard also had an entry elsewhere at Gowran Park and is reverting back over hurdles having been chasing this term. He finished eight-lengths behind Found A Fifty on his first run of the season and has only three-lengths to find with Rubaud on Scottish Champion Hurdle form, with a 14lb swing in the weights to his advantage. That could make all of the difference and he is a consistent type over hurdles, capable of taking the honours.
The enigmatic Goshen is difficult to catch on a going day and has become increasingly unreliable. First-time blinkers are tried and it would be some feat if they are able to get the eight-year-old back to winning ways.
A winner over course-and-distance, he beat the talented Adagio to win this race two years ago, recording a second successive victory having beaten Guard Your Dreams and Song For Someone in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown in his previous race.Last season he was able to land a Grade Two at Ascot and put in a promising performance behind Knappers Hill in April, but he has been below par since and more is required.
Outsider of the field Guard Your Dreams is being overlooked despite making a promising return to action at Cheltenham. Lossiemouth was by far superior to the rest on that occasion, but the four challengers finished closely grouped with Guard Your Dreams last of the field, a length-and-half behind Rubaud. He had a 660-day absence to contend with, but was able to finish near race fit horses of a high level and he can build on that performance and be sharper this time.
Selection: Guard Your Dreams 8/1 (Colonel Mustard 5/2)
GOWRAN PARK
Ones to watch:
2:52 – Another Choice
The seven-year-old gelding is on the same mark as when he finished fourth at Punchestown in October. He gave 13lbs to the winner Getaway Charlie on that day, a horse that is now rated 121, with Stuzzikini, a subsequent thirty-one-length victor over Angels Dawn and now rated 134, in third.
His run at Cheltenham didn’t go to plan, going much too quickly and failing to stay, weakening late on and eventually finishing eight of nine. He had been well backed on the day, with the thought that a better showing could have been in the offing, but he is now back on his Irish mark of 118, 6lbs lower than when making the trip across the Irish Sea, and James Smith claims 7lbs.
The trip is short enough but he is proven over further and could use his stamina to great effect in the closing stages, if coping with the testing conditions. The ground is the biggest concern as he is yet to run on heavy and his best form is on good, but despite this he is likely to be a generous price and could be worth keeping a close eye on.
Atimetodream also runs in the race, representing Henry de Bromhead with Rachael Blackmore aboard. She was tailed off when a beaten favourite at Thurles, jumping left in a performance that appeared too bad to be true. It’s worth noting that she was up 12lbs following a convincing win at Listowel and maybe she is best watched for now, especially on heavy going, but she is still improving as a six-year-old and is lightly-raced therefore there could be significant improvement to come.
4:02 – Spanish Harlem
A mention goes to the impressive looking gelding Spanish Harlem, who looks due a first win for his new yard. Purchased for €360,000 in 2022, the son of Spanish Moon is an imposing type who looks every bit a chaser and could land his first success over fences under Paul Townend.
4:35 – R’evelyn Pleasure
Likeable veteran R’evelyn Pleasure recorded back-to-back wins at Cork in his penultimate start, before finishing second at Thurles on a 6lb higher mark. Now rated 119, he has gone up a total of 14lbs in three runs, and looks in the form of his life.
Donagh Meyler is reunited with the twelve-year-old gelding, having ridden him on eighteen occasions in the past. The mark is stiff enough for a horse of his age, but given he is in such good order and will be suited by conditions, he is worth sticking with and holds strong each-way claims.
* prices are correct at the time of writing
THE CONDITIONAL 