Ten races are being broadcast live on ITV on Saturday, which makes it prime fodder for some weekend bets. GG tipster Joe Napier has five for the terrestrial action, with a pair of popular veterans among them.
2.05 Ascot – Byrne Group Handicap Chase
Top-weight Master Chewy could have Champion Chase aspirations given he was a narrow Grade 1 runner-up on his final novice start. Nevertheless, a mark of 154 will take some defying on his seasonal debut, especially as he was twice beaten off marks in the 130s last season, albeit in races which worked out very well.
Right at the foot of the weights are Gary & Josh Moore’s pair of Issar d’Airy and KOTMASK, both of whom have claimers aboard to take off even more pounds. The latter is of particular interest at a decent price here, as he is only 2lb higher than his last winning mark and should be suited by Ascot.
He won twice last winter, the latter of which saw him beat the Tizzard team’s Scarface, with that horse soon shooting up the weights too. The six-year-old goes well fresh, may well appreciate this step back in trip, and has no ground worries, while Caoilin Quinn’s 3lb claim is a particularly useful one.
2.22 Wetherby – bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The West Yorkshire Hurdle)
This is a decidedly open renewal of this Grade 2. Kateira disappointed on her reappearance here last year, while both Sandor Clegane and Thunder Rock are slight unknowns back over hurdles, for all that the former was mixing it was some very useful novice chasers last term.
One who appeals as overpriced on ratings is the veteran BEACON EDGE, whose form on more summery ground since May has gone back up a level. He looked to be on the retreat for much of last term, but was runner-up at the Punchestown Festival and was fifth last weekend at Cheltenham off 146 in a Pertemps qualifier. In between he had won at Ballinrobe, been second at Cork, and a close fourth at Galway’s flagship meeting too.
He is proving consistent, and there is not anything like the normal standard of Grade 2 opposition in here. Dashel Drasher would set the standard, but concedes weight all round, whereas the selection comes in here with no penalties. Nothing stands out as a cut above him, so he could be very dangerous at a useful price.
3.15 Ascot – Lavazza Handicap Hurdle
All of Fiercely Proud, Fire Flyer and Secret Squirrel look to be ahead of their marks, so this should be extremely competitive. However, a chance is worth taking on BREAK MY SOUL, who may well be a mare significantly on the upgrade now that Nicky Henderson’s yard is under no clouds.
She started last season slowly, and was not able to make up ground at the beginning of the year with the stable struggling desperately for any form. However, she was found a penalty kick opportunity at Chepstow in April, then followed up with the minimum of fuss at Fontwell in May.
The handicapper has missed nothing, raising her to a rating of 122, but she was bought for £290,000 in March 2023, so connections clearly thought highly of her. Her form at Fontwell under a penalty has been boosted since by the runner-up and the third both winning, and even a strict line through that pair’s current ratings would give Henderson’s mare a shot at claiming her first handicap success.
3.32 Wetherby – Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle
Goblet Of Fire is another Henderson horse who it may well pay to keep onside of this season, but he faces a much tougher task here than he did when winning at Southwell ten days ago. His main adversary looks to be WILLIETHEBUILDER, a narrow runner-up over course and distance recently and has equally progressive potential for Dan Skelton.
The selection was fourth in a Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham’s October meeting last term, the winner of which went on to hit the frame in a pair of Grade 1s by season’s end. He lost his way on soft ground thereafter, but his second on return back on good going suggested there will be wins in him this season. This race could well be one such opportunity.
Ladbrokes Champion Chase Tips 2024: Classy Gerri Colombe To Cruise To Down Royal Win
It’s the biggest National Hunt race of the season in Ireland so far this season at Down Royal on Saturday afternoon, as the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase takes centre stage at 2:40pm. A leading trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the 2024 renewal will see a field of five head to the 3m start…
Thu 31 Oct 2024
3.45 Ascot – Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Another veteran could round off the ITV afternoon action in style, as TWO FOR GOLD loves it at Ascot, and may well have one more big day in him. His form over obstacles here reads 22122, including a runner-up effort in this race a year ago off 3lb higher than his current mark of 151, with the victory coming in April 2023 off 1lb lower.
Another of those seconds was a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February 2022, so we know he saves his best for the venue. Despite surrounding efforts of P9P6 (the sixth being a last of six at Carlisle), he still managed a narrow second to Sam Brown in a Veterans’ Chase in March off 149, and that winner is still considered talented enough to run in the Charlie Hall at the weekend.
Kim Bailey also runs the much younger Cheltenham Festival winner Chianti Classico here, but other targets may prove the priority for him, whereas any race such as this is significant for Two For Gold nowadays. At the very least, he should contest this strongly for a place, but there may yet be one more return to the winners’ enclosure for him.
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