Both Musselburgh and Haydock‘s meetings will be screened live on ITV Racing on Saturday. With their cards being held on the flat and over jumps respectively, there is plenty to look forward to.
Matty Sutcliffe has four selections in all for the Saturday racing, which you can find below.
1:55 Musselburgh – Livescore Bet Silver Arrow Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Al Arbeed 7/2 1pt WIN
Aramram was a lovely winner for the column to kickstart the flat season and his half-brother, Al Arbeed, can follow up that success for the family.
The Night of Thunder colt is unexposed on turf after just two runs, but the form has worked out well. He was a two length second in a Conditions Stakes at Newmarket last season, behind the 103 rated Anno Domini in second. Behind him in fourth there was Treble Tee, who’s now rated 103 after taking a 36k handicap at the St Leger meeting.
Al Arbeed then went to a Conditions Stakes at Goodwood, again with Treble Tee behind him, but he had the G3 Jersey Stakes winner (now rated 115) ahead in third, and the now 116 rated Breeders Cup Turf fourth Amiloc won that contest.
He had a break prior to finishing fourth in a 0-105 at Southwell behind three progressive types who’ve all won since, and the third was beaten just three lengths behind Ombudsman in the Dubai Turf last weekend.
He shaped as if in need of the run when weakening late on after hitting the front at Kempton off top-weight last weekend, and I suspect he’ll strip fitter now for this return to turf off what could be a workable mark of 93.
2:12 Haydock – Pertemps Network Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (Series Final) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Bucephalus 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
The last two winners of this race came off the back of winning a qualifying contest at Newcastle, the same on Bucephalus won cosily at last time and hopefully lighting can strike three times from 5lbs higher.
Admittedly it wasn’t the strongest of races, but he recorded a career best in the process and the second also recorded a career best RPR next time out despite finishing second again. We can potentially draw a line through him pulling up in the valuable William Hill Handicap when a 50/1 shot on deplorable going, and he’s perhaps better judged on his length second over C&D on his prior start to that.
He split the 13/8 joint favourites there, and the winner was second off 5lbs higher in the Morebattle Handicap next time out. The third won next time out prior to finishing third to The New Lion in the Unibet Hurdle, and the fourth also won cosily next time out.
His form since being equipped with a tongue tie over hurdles reads 122F11642P1, and the defeats have come when evidently not giving his running. If able to back that last effort up, then I’d struggle to see him out of the frame despite not looking to have an awfully obvious amount in hand.
3:05 Musselburgh – Virgin Bet Daily Price Boost Queen’s Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95) – Wise Eagle 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
Now this contest has been lessened to a 0-95, having previously been an open handicap that attracted horses rated in the 100s, Wise Eagle can find this a touch easier than the last two renewals despite the burden off top-weight.
The gallant nine-year-old won this off 3lbs higher in 2023 from a 173 day break, prior to a four length second to Coltrane in the G3 Sagaro Stakes. He went off the boil having had been pitched in too deep in the Gold Cup next time out, but Adam Nicol rejuvenated him to land a pair of hurdles.
He was then rated 8lbs higher when a length fourth in this contest last season, suffering for room at a crucial stage while the three ahead had begun their challenge. Again, he went slightly off the boil thereafter, but he ran a career best over hurdles when third in the Morebattle last time out and if that’s signalled a return to form, then he’s well weighted to take a weaker renewal of this contest.
3:20 Haydock – Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Series Final) (Class 2) (9yo+) – Filanderer 7/1 1pt EW 5 places
I think this is an excellent piece of placing by Hughie Morrison on Filanderer, who appears to be the sole progressive veteran in this line-up. As juxtaposing as that comment appears, the son of Kayf Tara has form figures of U111151P since stepping up beyond two miles over fences.
His sole three defeats have some excuses, as he unseated when travelling strong at Fontwell, then jumped poorly from the off at Newbury, prior to not staying the trip when keen enough in the Ultima last month.
Aside from that, he’s been dominant in each of his five victories particularly at Market Rasen on his penultimate run when an eleven length winner. That form has worked out strongly, the second bolted up 12 lengths next time out, the third won 10 lengths next time out, the fourth was eight lengths behind Protektorat next time out, the fifth was second in a Kelso class two next time out, and the sixth won by 20 lengths last time out.
He’s evidently in deeper company here with horses who will have been minded for this 51k prize, but he’s only 9lbs higher and is in the form of his life. If he can put behind that Cheltenham run and return to that Market Rasen effort, then he’s sure to be bang there at the finish.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:55 Musselburgh – Livescore Bet Silver Arrow Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Al Arbeed 7/2 1pt WIN
2:12 Haydock – Pertemps Network Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (Series Final) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Bucephalus 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
3:05 Musselburgh – Virgin Bet Daily Price Boost Queen’s Cup Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95) – Wise Eagle 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
3:20 Haydock – Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Series Final) (Class 2) (9yo+) – Filanderer 7/1 1pt EW 5 places
BucephalusMatty Sutcliffe’s Top Tips – Saturday 4 April
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Musselburgh & Haydock on Saturday 4 April.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 8.30am on Friday 3 April
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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