The jumps season moves up a gear on Saturday, with Strong Leader defending his crown in the West Yorkshire Hurdle before the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, and a valuable handicap chase at Ascot. Across the Irish Sea, Down Royal stages the first Grade 1 of the Irish jumps season, where Heart Wood and Romeo Coolio clash in the Champion Chase.
Joe Napier picks out four from Wetherby, Ascot and Down Royal to combine for our Saturday Lucky 15.
2.18 Wetherby – Take No Chances
Strong Leader beat TAKE NO CHANCES in this 12 months ago, but there was only a neck between the pair and the Skelton mare looks a much more reliable selection this time around. For one, Take No Chances receives an extra 4lb in penalties this year, but Strong Leader lost his way last season, with his pulling up at Aintree a substantial blip, as he usually goes well there. As such, although Olly Murphy’s charge goes well fresh, the mare gets the verdict having already made her reappearance. She was down the field in doing so at Chepstow, but she does usually improve for the outing. Having dined at the top table last spring, including a game second in the Liverpool Hurdle over this trip in Grade 1 company, she should earn a belated first victory for nearly two years here.
2.33 Ascot – Henry’s Friend
Last year’s winner HENRY’S FRIEND has dropped to a mark 1lb below his winning one from 12 months ago and can therefore score again back at Ascot. Ben Pauling’s runner proved he can go well fresh by winning this in 2025 before struggling anywhere that was not Ascot. He was down the field at Cheltenham, but while he was only sixth of 12 over course and distance last December, he was only beaten five lengths off a rating of 146. He is 4lb lower now after weaker efforts at Kempton and Sandown, but it may be that he is the stereotypical horse for a course. The nine-year-old may also bounce back from wind surgery since he last ran.
3.15 Down Royal – Romeo Coolio
Both Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott have won this three times in the past ten years, but de Bromhead’s all came courtesy of the brilliant Envoi Allen. As such, although Heart Wood promises to still reach a high level over 3m, ROMEO COOLIO is preferred stepping out of novice company. The seven-year-old was brilliant at this meeting over 2m4f last season. Koktail Divin, who would later win a Grade 1 at Aintree, was 14 lengths behind as Romeo Coolio won on the bridle. Three Grade 1s followed for the selection, two of those coming over 2m1f. He flopped when favourite for the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham when upped to 3m, but a first-time hood, coupled with a disappointing week for the yard, may well have contributed. His talent is evident in the fact he beat Kargese to win the Irish Arkle when clearly needing further than 2m1f at Leopardstown and so is worth another chance over this staying distance. He goes well fresh, has ground which suits, and should go very close.
3.50 Down Royal – Kala Conti
Koktail Divin has not won on his first start of the season yet for Henry de Bromhead and may find the concession of 11lb quite significant to KALA CONTI. The Robcour mare won well on her first two chase starts, defeating Kargese by no less than 16 lengths at Cork last December. The Mullins mare improved beyond recognition afterwards, but Elliott’s charge was dominant. She was slightly disappointing when only second in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, but was in the process of going close at Aintree back over 2m when falling at the third last. She has generally been a sound conveyance though and stays at least this far on this ground. She can upset the odds-on favourite.
