The horse racing broadcaster gives his alternatives for Saturday’s racing across the UK, together with one within the Badger Beers Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Rain, or particularly the dearth of it, continues to impede the West Nation jumps conferences. While Chepstow staged a very first rate jumps card this week, the rain continues to largely stall over the opposite facet of the Severn Bridge and has led to sooner floor and smaller fields than preferrred for Wincanton’s Badger Beer Day—now the longest steady sponsorship in Nationwide Hunt racing.
A area of simply seven stand their floor at this stage, two of that are skilled by in-form Anthony Honeyball. I discussed final week the type of the yard, and that has continued this week with an across-the-card double on Thursday. He saddles two within the Badger, the place desire is for GUSTAVIAN 7/2 (15:30 Wincanton), who’s 1 lb decrease than when maintaining on for third within the race final 12 months. His trigger that day was not helped by being impeded by a faller on the cross fence 4 out and his yard not being in the identical type they’re now. He’s fairly carefully matched with steady companion Credo on their Exeter operating, however the help of Rex Dingle is a constructive given his wonderful file at Wincanton (19/123, A/E 1.54). Six of the steady’s final 12 runners have now received, together with LORD BADDESLEY 9/2 (13:10 Wincanton), who would additionally take loads of beating if requested to end up shortly after his Newbury Thursday romp.
On the opposite three ITV races from the Somerset observe, Paul Nicholls might be hoping for extra success on a card he has typically farmed in latest seasons with the likes of Rubaud, who traces up in search of a hat-trick of wins within the Elite Hurdle at 14:55, and Blueking D’Oroux within the Rising Stars at 14:23, who ran nicely beneath par on his chasing debut when crushed at Newton Abbot and faces two critical contenders in Henry De Bromhead’s Cobra Queen—solely the steady’s second-ever runner on the observe—and one other Honeyball runner on a roll in Breaking Cowl.
Away from Wincanton, Aintree phases its first race of the season over the Nationwide fences the place, contemporary from Djelo’s victory within the Charlie Corridor, FRERO BANBOU 10/1 (14:40 Aintree) can go nicely for a similar owner-trainer-jockey mixture. The actual fact he misplaced his approach just a little late final season has seen his handicap mark drop 5 lb again to the identical mark he ran sixth off within the race in 2024. He seemed to be ridden a bit aggressively that day and did not final residence, and his third the earlier season to Gesskille appears to be like to place him proper within the combine. A double-figure worth on the time of writing appears to be like considerably over the chances (he’s a lot better off with final 12 months’s winner King Turgeon, who is way shorter out there).
With Sam Thomas as soon as once more making a robust begin to the marketing campaign, KATATE DORI 5/1 (12:55 Aintree) appears to be like to be a number one contender within the Pertemps Qualifier. He progressed nicely over fences final season however is unexposed over hurdles since that enchancment, and it appears to be like an honest likelihood to select up an early-season prize and get him certified for the ultimate (qualifier winners are as of late assured a run). Haiti Couleurs this week has proven that, in lots of circumstances, horses might be extra versatile between the codes than they’re given credit score for, and Katate Dori runs off a 5 lb decrease mark than if this was a chase.
It’s a much more sodden finish to the Turf flat season at Doncaster, circumstances which swimsuit METIER 25/1 (15:45 Doncaster) all the way down to the bottom within the last race, The VirginBet November Handicap. His profession file on delicate or heavy floor is 6/17 (A/E 2.18) and features a win within the race again in 2022. Granted, his type since his defeat of Zoffee within the Chester Cup two seasons in the past has been nothing to jot down residence about, however that win compelled him into the next grade and, like Frero Banbou, has resulted in a big fall in his mark. The reserving of very promising Irish apprentice Nicola Burns, who can declare a really useful 5 lb in what’s turning into a breakthrough season, additionally catches the attention. She has partnered 25 winners in Eire this calendar 12 months and confirmed loads of energy within the saddle at Dundalk this week when getting the well-supported Again to Me up within the last few strides. Metier might be her first UK trip, and with circumstances in his favour, it might be no shock if Harry Fry’s 9-year-old was able to outperforming his massive worth.
Go to Betway’s horse racing betting web page.