Saturday’s ITV action comes from the second day of Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting and from Doncaster, where the Group 1 Futurity Trophy brings the curtain down on the British Flat season’s top-level action.
Matty Sutcliffe will be keeping his keen eye on both meetings, picking out four horses to watch.
12:55 Doncaster – Richard James Hone Memorial Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
The majority of these look handicapped accordingly and come here on likely testing ground on the back of a long season, so the fresh Sovereign Spell is chanced.
The son of Invincible Spirit hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes, but he has been gelded in the interim and is entered in the HIT sale next week, so you’d imagine they’ll have him ready here to attract the bidders.
He landed the odds in a Windsor novice last season, albeit he was disqualified thereafter, but ran creditably next time out in a nursery here, finishing third behind the now 95-rated Sword Maker. He reappeared this season with two good wins, latterly at Newmarket in a race that’s worked out well, before running a similar race in third there.
He still has to prove he’s as effective over five furlongs, but he has a large stride and, given he’s out of a Night Of Thunder mare, this testing track in these conditions should suit.
13:10 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+)
Lisbane Park is one of my GG ten horses to follow for the National Hunt season, and it was particularly pleasing to see Joe Tizzard saddle a four-timer at Ffos Las on Thursday, including a chase debutant who’d lost his way over hurdles, suggesting the yard is bang in form.
I’ve long regarded Lisbane Park as a future chaser, ever since a promising hurdles debut when he beat the now 133-rated Pioneer Pete in comfortable fashion. He was perhaps unlucky to bump into some nice novice hurdlers thereafter, but he progressed with each run, and this £110,000 son of Walk In The Park could be thrown in off 120 now he’s going chasing.
13:45 Cheltenham – William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
This doesn’t look to be the deepest renewal of this race, and I’d be strongly against the favourite, who’s won back-end-of-season maidens and novices on flat tracks against average opposition, and certainly doesn’t shape like a stayer.
I’d fancy Newbrook Diamond to reverse the form, but a chance is taken on rules debutant Woodstock Octo for the excellent Kayley Woollacott operation. Joshua Newman trains the yard’s pointers, and they’ve had great success for Woollacott under rules, such as El Capitaine, now rated 131 after beating Quebecois last week (formerly 7/8 in points).
The yard have a 21% strike-rate over hurdles in the last 12 months and a profit of £41.70 to a £1 stake, further heightening the interest in Woodstock Octo. He’s won his last six points, and while that form is tough to weigh up in the context of this race, his last defeat came behind Welonlyhavedone, now rated 133 under rules, when he was hampered late on.
He’s bred to have a future under rules, being a half-brother to Nicky Henderson’s Bective Abbey, a 125-rated staying hurdler, and he can spring a surprise for the Woollacott yard in this modest affair.
14:55 Cheltenham – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
You can pick holes in quite a few of these. Uncle Bert’s best form over fences has come on flatter tracks, and he generally appears to struggle on testing tracks. There’s very little to suggest Here Comes Georgie will stay this trip, Katate Dori remains on a high mark and may be minded for Kempton, and Mt Fugi Park ideally prefers better ground.
There are very few negatives regarding Diamond Dealer, who I’d suspect would be plenty shorter in the betting if the Skelton jockeys were the other way around. The Diamond Boy gelding was much improved following a wind operation and a move to Skelton last season, with form figures of 11P21.
The sole outlier was when he pulled up over four miles at Kelso having made a respiratory noise, but following an 80-day break he was back on track to finish a short-head second at Wetherby behind one who placed in the Ayr Champion Novice Handicap Chase next time out.
He then backed that up with a game success, making all at Kelso off top-weight and staying on strongly after an excellent round of jumping. He was only put up 3lb for that joint career-best effort, and his bold, prominent style of jumping will suit around here.
Given he’s proven fresh and handles softer going, there are very few negatives, and I suspect the market has entirely underestimated this progressive staying chaser based on jockey bookings.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Four to Watch for Saturday 24 October
12:55 Doncaster – Richard James Hone Memorial Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – Sovereign Spell 25/1 1pt EW 3 places
13:10 Cheltenham – William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+) – Lisbane Park 9/2 2pt WIN
13:45 Cheltenham – William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Woodstock Octo 7/1 1pt WIN
14:55 Cheltenham – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Diamond Dealer 7/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published on Friday 23 October.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs 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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