Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing from around the United Kingdom! Tips come your way from Sandown, Haydock and Ripon.
Sandown Best Bets
Bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1)
Following the defection of Cyrname, ALTIOR looks to have the stage to himself and can land the prohibitive odds that will be placed on his head to make this a 19th straight victory. He has nothing to fear from SCEAU ROYAL on Queen Mother Champion Chase form, while DIEGO DU CHARMIL finished a distance behind him when last seen in the Ascot Chase back in January. GOD’S OWN is not the force of old and in similar fashion was a distance behind Min at Aintree, while both DAREBIN and VOSNE ROMANEE are playing for the good prizemoney that awaits the fifth and sixth finishers.
Bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2)
No Cyrname here either makes for an open heat in which anything can happen. DEFINITELY RED was running the race of his life when brought down in the Gold Cup and would be hard to beat if repeating that level of form. BLACK CORTON has knocked on the door on his last three starts and although his defeat by Blue Flight at Kelso looked suspect at the time, his conqueror went on to run a blinder in the Scottish National. CHARBEL hasn’t managed to reproduce his good form of last season, including when pulled up in the Ryanair Chase last time. However, were he to raise his game he could be competitive.
Make sure to check out Neil’s full Bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase preview by clicking here.
Haydock Park Best Bet
Race 1: SEVERANCE (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: George Downing
Wears a hood in all his work at home and also on the racecourse, but there is nothing ungenuine about SEVERANCE who breezed beautifully yesterday and is open to any amount of improvement from his pleasing debut effort at Newbury. That was a race gifted to Majestic Dawn when the latter was handed a big easy lead, but Severance was closing him down towards the finish and can open his account.
Ripon Best Bets
Race 1: BIRKENHEAD (2)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Probert
With previous experience counting for so much at this early stage of the season it’s more than likely that the winner of this will have already raced and BIRKENHEAD fits the bill. His trainer considered taking him to France but even with a tricky draw to overcome this looks the right route to goal for the Captain Gerard colt, a winner at Beverley last time.
Race 6: STORTING (5)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Charlie Bishop
Even though he failed to menace on his debut at Newbury, STORTING remains an interesting prospect and can show he’s learned in bundles from that introduction. This better ground should prove more suitable while he can cope with the slight drop back in trip.
