A big day of Grade 1 and handicap action commences on Saturday, with six races on ITV. Here are GG’s in-house tipster Joe Napier’s four best bets for the live action.
1.54 Newbury – Coral ‘Daily Rewards Shaker’ Handicap Hurdle
The last four renewals of this handicap have gone to horses starting at double-figure prices, so it is worth delving into this field. Though numerous big yards are represented, it may be the runner from Tom Symonds’ relatively humble yard who triumphs as ISSAM is a standout contender.
The six-year-old won on his final start of last season at Wincanton off 4lb lower than his current rating. However, in second that day was Resplendent Grey, who he was conceding 2lb to, and has subsequently won twice, once over hurdles and once over fences. He is now rated 20lb higher.
Issam returned in a notably strong race at Ffos Las too, with the winner, Lump Sum, taking part in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on Saturday, while the runner-up has won since at Haydock. But for a couple of late blunders, Symonds’ charge may have finished much closer than a five-length fourth, and a return to slightly softer ground should also suit.
3.00 Newbury – Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase
This is not a strong running of this historic handicap, and the mare GALIA DES LITEAUX is taken to profit from that. Trainer Dan Skelton runs two and it is noteworthy Harry Skelton has chosen the eight-year-old over Midnight River, who also has decent claims.
The selection was a Grade 2 winner as a novice and ran some big races last season, finishing second in the Classic Chase at Warwick when well clear of the third, and then finishing eighth in the Grand National off 2lb higher than her current mark. She had led with two fences to jump that day, and that race is now a handicap boasting significant strength in depth.
Her return over a trip short of ideal at Carlisle was perfectly respectable, and the step back up to 3m2f can pay dividends. She has shaped like winning a big handicap for some time.
3.20 Newcastle – BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase
One bad run can always be forgiven, so it is worth giving a chance to SOME SCOPE, who looks miles too big a price here given the progression he showed last season, especially as he is still only six.
After two wins in handicap company at Catterick and Doncaster, he remained very competitive in both the Grimthorpe Chase and a Cheltenham handicap despite ultimately rising 17lb in the weights by the end of the season. He proved more adaptable for soft ground in the former too, so should be able to give his best whatever the weather here.
While more would have been hoped for on his return back at Cheltenham last month, it was only his second blip in the space of two years. If wind surgery has helped, he should return to form receiving weight from all bar one of his rivals.
3.35 Newbury – Coral ‘Pipped-At-The-Post’ And Win Handicap Chase
Imperial Saint is a horse who is readily on the upgrade, but a 10lb penalty nevertheless puts him in deeper here. He is taken on with ISSAR D’AIRY, who won twice over course and distance last season and can find the little extra needed back at this happy hunting ground.
He beat no less a rival than Martator almost on the bridle in December of last year. Indeed the two runner-ups from his pair of victories over C&D are now rated 33lb and 21lb higher respectively, so he was beating well-handicapped rivals. He himself has only risen 18lb since the first success, and 10lb since the second.
He was not at his best twice at Kempton thereafter going right-handed, but belied a huge market drift on his reappearance to be a close second to Martator at Ascot. That recurring rival has won again since, beating stablemate Kotmask, who was third behind him last time out, so his form has been franked in numerous places, and this is where he gives his best.
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