It’s a cracking weekend of jumps action on ITV this weekend, and Matty Sutcliffe has studied the cards early to find some of the best prices on four selections across the cards.
Published: 10.40am, Wednesday, November 6th (Odds correct at time of writing)
2:05 Aintree – Boylesports Choose Wisely Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Coastguard Station 12/1 1pt WIN
Djelo was a rare chase debut winner in this contest last season, as it tends to go to one with experience and it may pay to look past the likes of Booster Bob, Helnwein and Imperial Saint on this occasion, for all they may fare smarter in time.
Henry Oliver has a record of 1251 in this contest and COASTGUARD STATION can be considered with match fitness on his side. The son of Dylan Thomas has a respectable 25% strike rate over fences, with a further five places to boot. He took an 18k C2 handicap at Uttoxeter in June off a 4lbs lower mark, finishing two lengths ahead of the second who subsequently won by 27L, with the 3rd taking a C2 since (13lbs higher), the 4th winning since and the 11th also winning last time out.
He returned from a 96-day break in a pipe opener over hurdles, though only beaten three lengths and he returned to chasing with an excellent ten length fourth to Calico in a 52k C2 handicap at Cheltenham when unsuited by his track position in rear from 1lb out of the weights.
He was only four lengths behind the 153-rated Dancing On My Own there, and given the top weight in here is rated 130 (at the entry stage), then I don’t think he’ll struggle bumping into any progressive sorts. Though he’s on a career high mark, he was leniently dropped 2lbs for that last effort and he was far from disgraced when a 4L 3rd off 2lbs lower in a G3 handicap at Ayr, and this type of race could easily pan out favourably for him from the rear.
2:40 Aintree – Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (6yo+) – Latenightpass 6/1 WIN + Authorized Art 16/1 (generally) 1pt WIN (33/1 available)
This renewal of the Grand Sefton looks an absolute cracker prior to the declaration stage. Last year’s second and third, Percussion and Frero Banbou will have been minded for this, LATENIGHTPASS ran a superb race in the Grand National, as did Eldorado Allen to a degree, the Topham winner Arizona Cardinal has to considered, and we have a plethora of progressive types bidding to throw their hats in the ring.
Latenightpass was on the balance of probability a non-stayer in the National, but the fact that he led at the last was an impressive feat given the race generally favoured those biding their time in rear, and I just wonder whether a repeat of those tactics and round of jumping would see him tough to pass here.
These fences are notoriously tricky to navigate, even accounting the lowering of them, and while he is long in the tooth now he still bodes a serious amount of class as demonstrated by his cross country success at Cheltenham last December, ahead of the likes of Minella Indo and Galvin. I suspect they won’t be returning to the Grand National this season so they won’t be all that bothered about minding his mark, and given he’s a C&D winner with a preference for good ground, he looks a rock solid bet at this stage.
At the opposite end of the market (depending on your layer, 33s/20s are available at the time of writing but 16s is the general price on offer), AUTHORIZED ART makes some appeal despite his lofty weight.
The son of Authorized had a pipe opener over hurdles last month for the first time in two years, but ran an incredibly race to say he generally needs 2m5f-3m over fences. Though his mark of 153 is a lofty one, he brings a rare air of class to this contest having finished six length behind Gerri Colombe in the G1 Faugheen Novices’ Chase two years ago, before going on to place in both the Galway Plate, the Kerry National and more recently a G3 handicap at Punchestown for Willie Mullins, latterly off 11-11 and he was also off topweight in the Kerry National.
He’s a bold, prominent jumper who’s suited to good ground, and if getting out in front in a good rhythm, he’s entitled to fare well with the top-weights having won this race in 2018.
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3:30 Wincanton – 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Lord Baddesley 9/1 1pt WIN
Regular readers may remember we had Blackjack Magic win this race for us last season, and we then had Forward Plan (6th) win for us next time out. Anthony Honeyball has entered both of those again, along three others, and I’m siding with LORD BADDESLEY this time around.
The son of Doyen has joined the yard from Chris Gordon, and has more often than not shaped as if this trip can bring about further improvement.
He’s only raced over three miles twice, latterly when 7/2 for a voided race at Market Rasen, and the first time was when an eight length 7th in G3 Coral Trophy at Kempton. That was a competitive race where it generally paid to be prominent, with the 1st and 2nd in touch throughout, and he has an 8lbs swing in the weights with Forward Plan on that effort.
He’s generally been kept to middle distance trips by Chris Gordon, but even without analysing his races, the racing post comments consistently read “kept on” “outpaced, kept on run in”, “kept on well and went second inside final 110yds”, “nearest finish, stayed on”, which further adds to the suggestion that he can stay this three-mile trip.
He thrives upon this forecast quick ground, and should his jumping hold up then he can creep in to the race from rear off a handy low racing weight.
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