Friday’s ITV action comes from Aintree, where the Grade 2 BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup has been moved from Exeter and heads a strong card that also features a valuable Premier Handicap over three miles and a furlong.
Matty Sutcliffe picks out three horses to watch on Merseyside.
13:15 Aintree – Download The BetMGM App Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+)
BARNPARK has something to prove stepping up in trip after failing to land a blow on his chase debut for the yard two weeks ago. However, the same connections saw North Shore win on his second start for the yard, and Dan Skelton had Here Comes Georgie successfully step up to three miles despite him barely getting two miles for his previous handler, so we shouldn’t be quick to write off a yard that has dominated these races of late.
The son of Walk In The Park was a point winner for Ian McCarthy, beating two subsequent winners under rules, before placing third in a bumper for Gavin Cromwell. He failed to make his mark in two starts over hurdles after that, but the latter saw him beaten only two lengths in a Killarney maiden that has thrown up winners.
He stayed on well there, so it was perhaps no surprise to see him outpaced in midfield when dropped in trip behind his winning stablemate Albie Littlewood, ridden by Harry Skelton.
Now the cobwebs have been blown away, it’ll be no surprise to see a much-improved performance with Skelton aboard over a trip he’s bred to improve for.
15:00 Aintree – BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
I’d love JPR One to take this off top weight, carrying 161, but I do worry how much Cheltenham took out of him for him to repeat that top-weight success, and it may pay to chance RUBAUD, who runs off his correct mark, unlike three of the other four yet to be mentioned.
The other running off his correct mark is Mirabad, who was four lengths ahead of Rubaud when they both reappeared at Carlisle last month. Rubaud was 3lb worse off at the weights there, but he now receives 9lb from Mirabad after that one’s shock success in Grade 1 company at Aintree.
Mirabad still has to prove that was no fluke, and Rubaud hasn’t done an awful lot wrong over fences. He fell when running a gallant race behind Sir Gino on his chase debut, before finishing a rallying second to L’Eau Du Sud, now rated 162.
Rubaud got off the mark over fences in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase, which admittedly wasn’t a strong renewal, but he won in spite of jumping left and wasn’t entirely disgraced in Grade 1 company afterwards.
He does have something to prove after pulling up when last seen over fences, but that run appeared to be an afterthought rather than something he’d been targeted at. Given Paul Nicholls’ record in this race, this looks to have been the early-season target.
15:35 Aintree – BetMGM Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
I couldn’t quite believe Here Comes Georgie won over this trip on his seasonal debut, and he has to be strongly considered even after a 7lb rise, but this is a much deeper race and KONFUSION can land the spoils.
The Schiaparelli gelding has been a revelation over fences, starting off a mark of 94 in October 2024 and now rated 145. Last season was when he really took off, as he won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle by 15 lengths, making most of the running.
He then coped easily with a 10lb rise to beat Marble Sands on the bridle in the Rowland Meyrick, and was far from disgraced when raised a further 9lb to finish third in the Peter Marsh Chase, beaten two lengths by Imperial Saint.
He fell when going well in the Ultima, but bounced back to finish a six-length third in the Freebooter Handicap at Aintree off joint top weight. He rallied well there after a slight error two out, suggesting his mark isn’t yet beyond him.
Given how strongly he came into himself early last season, now might be the time to catch him, for a yard that has historically targeted these big handicaps and did so successfully with Konfusion last season.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Three to Watch for Friday 6 November
13:15 Aintree – Download The BetMGM App Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+) – Barnpark 100/30 1pt WIN
15:00 Aintree – BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Rubaud 11/2 1pt WIN
15:35 Aintree – BetMGM Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Konfusion 7/1 1pt EW 4 places
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published on Thursday 5 November.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GG’s newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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