11 races go live on ITV this weekend. With so much action to follow, GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier guides you with five different selections for throughout the afternoon.
1.30 Aintree – Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle
Even with the qualification rules having changed, I’m always a firm believer in backing those further down the handicap in Pertemps qualifiers, as they are more in need of a win to qualify for the final at Cheltenham, whereas those with marks of 135 and above can usually ensure safe passage through by finishing in the first four. Winners are now guaranteed a place in the line-up at the Festival, which does alter matters for those off higher marks, but the theory may well still hold here.
All of Stolen Silver, Bold Endeavour and Reverend Hubert may only need to make the frame without giving their marks away, whereas GUARD THE MOON, off 120, will need the aid of a victory to stand a chance. The six-year-old also boasts leading form chances, and is unexposed after only five hurdles starts.
He is a half-brother to Potterman, who won over 3m5f and was at his best in staying chases, so this step up beyond 3m is not viewed as a concern. Having failed to get his head in front in his first three hurdles starts, he has subsequently recorded back-to-back wins, and while he has not put his opponents to the sword, there should still be a chance he is well-handicapped having not finished outside of the first three since his bumper debut.
1.45 Wincanton – BetMGM Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle
Pretending has now gone up sufficiently in the weights to arouse fears she is now longer handicapped for victory, so this competitive mares’ handicap looks particularly open. The one who stands out most is ALL THE GLORY, a three time winner over hurdles and whose profile suggests she is more than capable of better still.
She has raced 15 times over hurdles in a little over two years, so she has been kept plenty busy enough. At times she has bumped into some useful rivals too, finishing behind the likes of Favour And Fortune and Shanagh Bob last season before having her day in the spotlight with a wide-margin success in a mares’ novices’ handicap final at Newbury.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr rode her confidently, and she had loads in hand at the line. Having gone up 8lb for that, she has been eased 2lb since to a mark of 121 despite respectable efforts since, and she returns to what should prove her optimum trip. She has also won her last two races which came after breaks of more than 90 days, so her freshness is not expected to impede her.
Badger Beer Handicap Chase Tips: Nicholls To Claim 12th Success In Wincanton Feature
A competitive field is set to line up for the 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Saturday afternoon at 3:30pm. One of the highlights of the season at the National Hunt track, we’ve given our in-house tipster Steve Chambers the task of trying to pick the 1-2-3 in what is always a cracking…
Thu 07 Nov 2024
2.55 Wincanton – BetMGM Elite Hurdle (Grade 2)
I’m keen to take on Rubaud, who has done well at this time of year, including winning this a year ago, but who is also readily beatable at Graded level. Brentford Hope would appear the most obvious rival, but he has never won on good ground, with Rubaud beating him on such a surface two years ago by seven lengths, conceding him 7lb. He may have improved since, but he gets only 6lb here alongside ASPIRE TOWER.
After an Irish winner of the West Yorkshire Hurdle at this grade last weekend, there could be another here. Aspire Tower may not be the same horse who was a top juvenile hurdler and finished fourth in the 2021 Champion Hurdle, but he is still only eight years old and there are not too many miles on the tank. He was off for more than two-and-a-half years due to various ailments at one point, returning at the beginning of last term.
He struggled against some useful opposition on soft ground last term, but was only half-a-length behind Zanahiyr and fewer than ten lengths behind Il Etait Temps when tried over fences. The spark remains, with him having won a presentable opportunity at Punchestown in October, and that effort may be being slightly underestimated. He has conditions to suit and could be tricky to pass.
3.10 Doncaster – Virgin Bet Irish EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)
It can be safely assumed now that soft ground is key to Danielle, who was runner-up in a Group 3 against the boys last time out. However, though there is less evidence, it should also benefit ESTRANGE, who may prove the superior filly given what she did on debut at Goodwood.
The Cheveley Park filly routed her rivals by 5½ lengths when well supported that day and the form continues to improve by the week: the third (beaten 9½ lengths) has won on her only start since, the fourth (9¾ lengths) has won both her races, and the fifth (13¼ lengths) finished significantly closer when a two-length third next time out.
David O’Meara’s daughter of Night Of Thunder was only seventh in Listed company at Yarmouth when next tried herself, but the ground was good-to-firm that day. She still more than held her own in a big field that day, but this test may be where she really steps forward on her debut promise.
3.30 Wincanton – 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase
None of the favourites can be overtly trusted here. Lord Accord was left clear by his closest rival last time out and is back up to an uncomfortable part of the handicap, The Changing Man has had plenty of chances, and Mofasa may well need the run. This could be ripe for an upset.
It has been a long time since THE BIG BREAKAWAY has won a race, but you will at least get substantial odds on him this Saturday. The nine-year-old has changed yards and showed little last term, but he is now down to a mark of 135 over fences, 12lb lower than when going off favourite for the Becher Chase just last season.
He was fifth in this off a stone higher 12 months ago, but I’m mostly interested in him on quicker ground, as he won his point on good, but seemed to be pegged as a soft ground horse by the Tizzards under rules. Some of his best efforts were on good-to-soft though, and as a quirky individual, he could be just the type to benefit from new surroundings and has never had the luxury of carrying a weight as light as 10st 9lb before.
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