High quality cards over jumps and on the flat occur on Saturday, and GG tipster Joe Napier has picked out a combination of selections form both codes to make up our Lucky 15 tips on the day.
1.10 Wincanton – TAPLEY (1pt /ew – 6/1 Coral)
On his return to fences, TAPLEY could well take advantage of a significantly reduced chase mark in Wincanton’s ITV opener. The eight-year-old won a 2m handicap hurdle at Plumpton to begin last season off a mark of 120, but begins this campaign over fences off just 109. His three chase starts in November and December last season came in strong novice handicaps, the winners of which are now rated 21lb, 13lb and 8lb higher, and in the last of which he was not beaten far off 120 at Kempton. His form went south back over hurdles in the spring, although he was still relatively competitive off much higher ratings towards the end of last term, as he was on his reappearance at Plumpton, which could have him spot on for this, while Isabelle Ryder takes off a further 7lb with her claim; she has a 21% strike rate since the start of the season.
1.45 Wincanton – JENA D’OUDAIRIES (1pt e/w – 6/1 generally)
While stablemate Jubilee Alpha is the class horse in the race, she is off a heady mark of 137 which has served to ensure JENA D’OUDAIRIES carries just 10st 2lb here under Freddie Gingell. She is in receipt of 26lb from the top-weight, whereas she would have carried 9lb more in her absence, and it could just be that the selection is readier to fire on the Nicholls contingent’s mutual reappearance. She was a close second to the now 122-rated Bluey on her hurdling debut on Boxing Day last year and finished a competitive enough fifth in a deeper mares’ handicap at Cheltenham in April. She is 15lb better off with the runner-up Bethpage from that day and was likely over the top when disappointing at Worcester in May. Off such a feather-weight, she may take advantage of these race conditions to score.
2.05 Aintree – JAVERT ALLEN (1pt e/w – 11/2 William Hill)
Mambonumberfive brings great potential into this contest for Ben Pauling, and his 8lb four-year-old allowance could prove a real blessing on chase debut. However, the chasing experience accrued by JAVERT ALLEN swings the vote in his favour for Jane Williams. The six-year-old won on his first two chase starts last season, jumping notably well from the head of affairs, and was a short-head away from completing his hat-trick at Chepstow in February. A bad mistake put paid to his chances at Newbury in March, but he is back down 2lb and goes well fresh, so could once again be difficult to catch if jumping smoothly from the front.
3.45 Doncaster – ATHERSTONE WARRIOR (1pt e/w – 10/1 Paddy Power/Sky Bet)
Chasing a hat-trick, ATHERSTONE WARRIOR could be the way to go in the November Handicap for the Moores. The yard regularly do well in soft ground races on the flat, with this son of Coulsty, usually more of a pace influence, having won the last twice on soft going over 1m2f. That has seen himshoot up 19lb in the handicap, but he has been winning convincingly, including when pulling well clear with the runner-up two weeks ago and seeing out the trip strongly. An extra 2f could even bring out further improvement, with his dam providing a stamina edge and Ashley Lewis’ 5lb claim and his three-year-old weight allowances ensure he will be carrying just 8st 3lb.
GG Racing Lucky 15 Tips For Saturday 8th November
1.10 Wincanton – TAPLEY (1pt /ew – 6/1 Coral)
1.45 Wincanton – JENA D’OUDAIRIES (1pt e/w – 6/1 generally)