Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Wincanton and a Place Accumulator from Southwell.
ASCOT
Race 3 No5 JERRYSBACK
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Richard Johnson
Although conspicuous in his absence for much of the last two seasons, JERRYSBACK is a tempting prospect for this Listed Limited Handicap Chase. His earning run in a first outing for a year at this course was eyecatching to say the least, and should have put the cutting edge on him.
Race 4 No7 KATESON (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
This is a competitive heat in which the best value lies with KATESON. The grey has performed well in four starts since a wind op, winning at Aintree and finishing second at Ascot, form that gives him more than a sporting chance of again picking up a cheque.
Race 5 BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE (Grade 1)
No3 DASHEL DRASHER
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Matt Griffiths
Course specialist DASHEL DRASHER is reaching for the stars following bold front-running displays in his last two outings here. He’s won seven of his last ten races over hurdles and fences and should be a different foe to Master Tommyknocker than the one that chased his shadow at Haydock back in November.
Race 7 No5 MISS FAIRFAX (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
I hope MISS FAIRFAX will prove a bet worth waiting for in this mares’ bumper. She was very green on debut at Hereford, and when getting the hang of things found that the birds had flown. She will have learned buckets from that and can put her best foot forward.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No8 THIRD WIND (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom Cannon
A stablemate of Miss Fairfax, THIRD WIND can raise his game in this Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle. He has it to do on the book, having finished all of 14 lengths adrift of Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle, but gives me the impression that he’s still far from being the finished article, and can improve.
Race 5 No1 CHAMPAGNE PLATINUMTrainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
With just one outing this seasons CHAMPAGNE PLATINUM is almost certainly being readied for a major pot at the Cheltenham Festival. In the ownership of JP McManus, the betting market could prove as much a pointer as his eye taking first run back at Newbury in late November. While the stable could be in better form, he’s one to take seriously.
Race 6 No6 MINT CONDITION (Nap)
Trainer: Jennie Candlish – Jockey: Henry Brooke
MINT CONDITION put in a career best even though beaten at Warwick last time. That was at the hooves of multiple scorer Adrimel, and makes him the pick in this Grade 2 trial for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No1 POZO EMERY
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Bryony Frost
Trials day at Wincanton gives Nicholls an opportunity to test the water with POZO EMERY won eased home on hurdling debut in a Chepstow race that has worked out particularly well. He should have little trouble in defying a penalty en route to the Festival.
Race 5 BETWAY KINGWELL HURDLE (Grade 2)
No2 SONG FOR SOMEONE (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
With Goshen so far unable to recapture his smart juvenile form, SONG FOR SOMEONE looks the one to be on in thisChampion Hurdle trial. The flagship of his trainer’s boutique operation, he was gameness personified when beating Silver Streak by an inch in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham before Christmas, and has thrived in a subsequent break.
Race 6 No2 SIR IVAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Lorcan Murtagh
Slick jumping can assist SIR IVAN in what would be one of the most deserving of wins. He’s hit the crossbar in each of his three outings this season and missed out on a good opportunity when the chases at Exeter were abandoned earlier in the week. He’s a winner over hurdles here and will be suited by race conditions.
SOUTHWELL
Place Accumulator: 2,1/3/4,2/3,2/4,6,1/3,5/3
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