There’s a bumper NINE races live on ITV on Saturday, who are showing the key races at Ascot and Haydock, as well as the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown. GG writer Dan Corbally guides us through his tips for all nine races on ITV on Saturday, including his pick for the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock.
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1.15pm Haydock – Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
A competitive and very tricky heat to kick us off. Park Hill Dancer has really turned a corner on his last two outings and steps up in class, he chases a hat-trick while Fingal’s Hill is on a five-timer. But the value could be with the latter’s stablemate, JASON THE MILITANT, who is a huge 40/1 at the time of writing. He may want it softer than it currently is so any rain is welcome for him and his latest run can be forgiven as it was his seasonal debut. He was graded class in Ireland and he’s plummeted in the ratings for his new yard, dropping more than a stone in just four runs, two of which came in Graded races.
1.30pm Ascot – 1965 Chase (Grade 2)
SHISHKIN may be short in the market but has the form in the book with his nearest rival, Pic D’Orhy, trouncing that rival by 16 lengths the last time they met. The Nicky Henderson inmate has won off a break in the past and even allowing for some rustiness first time up, he should have too much power for this small field. He’ll no doubt come on for the run with Kempton in mind but sidesteps the Betfair chase for this easier assignment.
1.50pm Haydock – Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase (Class 2)
An intriguing contest in spite of the small field, with the two main protagonists, Gaillard Du Mesnil & APPLE AWAY, showing their best form over further. The former was placed in the Grand National in April, while the latter landed a Grade 1 on the same card over 3m1f over hurdles. Grey Dawning showed up well for a long way behind Stay Away Fay on chase debut and was bang in contention at the last. Dan Skelton’s string have needed their comeback run in the main and his representative could also go involved.
2.05pm Ascot – Coral Hurdle (Grade 2)
STRONG LEADER is the outsider of the whole field here but should strip fitter for his seasonal debut, where he was given an easy time once his chance had gone. He was disappointing in the Supreme Hurdle but bounced back with a quality runner-up effort behind Inthepocket in the Grade 1 Top Novice Hurdle at Aintree. The step-up in trip is a question mark but his half-brother ran over a similar trip to this, and though not prolific over hurdles didn’t have stamina issues. Blueking D’Oroux was the early favourite for this race but has drifted out, he’s on the improve but this is a tough assignment and perhaps he’s more suited to 2 miles for now. Sceau Royal is rising twelve-years-old now but is still a quality operator and could do better than his fourth on reappearence, though he has won that fresh in the past.
10 To Follow – Tom Aldridge’s Horses To Follow For The 23/24 Jumps Season
The 2023/24 Jumps Season is underway and we’ve got all our team to give their ’10 to follow’ for the NH season. Next up it’s the turn of GG’s chief editor Tom Aldridge to give his selections, which include one he thinks could take on Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, plus one he…
Wed 25 Oct 20232.20pm Haydock – Betfair ‘Serial Winners’ Stayers Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
A proper race, for those wanting to have a punt and for those just wanting to watch a really competitive contest with a good-sized field. CRAMBO has an enviable record outside of Grade 1 company and was a well-backed winner on seasonal/stable debut when accounting for the re-opposing Santos Blue. That rival can be expected to improve for that run coming from the Dan Skelton yard who, as referenced previously, have needed a run. Slate Lane falls into the could be anything category, having won his last three over trip from 2m6f – 3m2f, the owner and trainer combo have unearthed some high-quality talent in recent yards and once they go on a winning run they can be potent in these big handicaps, he’s hard to ignore on that basis. Emitom has plenty of back-class and ran well on seasonal debut while Goshhowposh surely won’t be double-figure odds at the off, he’s been given plenty of time by connections and he didn’t look fully extended when scoring last time out under a canny ride.
2.35pm Punchestown – Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1)
The eagerly awaited return of STATE MAN. He’s not much of a price, but that can be expected as he has a clear class edge. Much like his stablemate Min before him, he’d probably be hailed as a great were it not for a certain Nicky Henderson in-mate, in Douvan’s case that was Altior and in State Man’s case he’s playing second-fiddle in the 2 mile division to a monster in Constitution Hill. Pied Piper will likely come on for the run and may be targeting the County Hurdle once again, while Echoes In Rain poses the chief threat to her stablemate with fitness on her side having added some flat black-type to her page in recent months.
3.00pm Haydock – Betfair Chase (Grade 1)
While it’s more than interesting to see Bravemansgame take his chance here it’s PROTEKTORAT that’s fancied to make it back-to-back successes in the race. It goes against the grain of what we’ve touched on with the Skelton team needing their run, but Dan Skelton has been bullish on his staying star’s fitness and credentials for the race. He streaked clear in this race and the presence of Bravemansgame adds some juice to the selection’s price. There’s been plenty of conjecture around Bravemansgame Charlie Hall performance and whether he would’ve won with a more forceful ride, there’s no doubt he’s one of the best stayers around but the King George will be the long-term aim and he looks opposable today.
3.15pm Ascot – Jim Barry Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Another attractive betting heat with none of the eight runners ruled out with any confidence. BOOTHILL heads the market and has taken the measure of several of these rivals in recent times, inclujding on his last outing in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase, with Saint Segal six lengths down & Frere D’Armes thirteen lengths down. The latter can be expected to come forward and has a nice swing with the winner, with Boothill raised 6lbs and Frere D’Armes dropping a couple of pounds since and also has Tristan Durrell’s 5lbs claim in his favour. But Boothill took this 12 months ago and can take this on his way back to graded contests. Corrigeen Rock is unexposed and looks useful while Aucunrisque has proven himself capable of operating in top handicap company, landing the Betfair Hurdle last season.
3.35pm Haydock – Betfair “Free Racing Multiple Today” Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Famous Bridge heads the market and looked progressive in the Spring, landing a quick fire double in handicaps in March before running with credit on his return to action this season. Docpickedme had contrasting fortunes with his final two runs of the season, pulled-up twice over hurdles but got back on trip with a game effort, going down by a head at Warwick. They can both still improve over fences but the choice goes CREDO. Anthony Honeyball’s mare returned with an authoritative success to land the Desert Orchid Silver Cup at Wincanton. This is probably one of her toughest assignments to date but she really did score readily last time out and could keep improving now with stamina looking her strong point. She had today’s rival Cocunut Splash behind that day while Haute Estime’s best days are surely ahead of her, being only six-years-old. The old-timer of the party, Cap Du Nord, is looking increasingly well-treated and despite his outsider tag wouldn’t be the biggest shock as he’ll surely click sooner rather than later. He’s worth an alternative selection at 33/1, though it could be January or February before he really finds form!
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