ITV Racing Tips Today from Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton
The Cheltenham Festival is less than 4 weeks away now and we are starting to get a better picture of the races, but today’s Saturday ITV Racing gives us another chance to top up the betting bank and see some Cheltenham horses in action.
Things get underway at 1.50pm from Ascot and Ciaran has been through all seven races including the Betfair Chase where Shishkin will hope to return to form ahead of Cheltenham and a possible tilt at the Ryanair Chase next month.
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1.50 Ascot
Highlighting the lack of Novices in England at the moment, the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase has just 4 runners. Oscar Elite was the best of these over hurdles, coming runner up in an Albert Bartlett, but the fact that he is still a novice in his second season over Fences says a lot about his chances. BOLD ENDEAVOUR (4/6) is probably the only graded performer in here. Has been impressive and remains unbeaten since switching to Nicky Henderson. A 14l defeat of Calico on good to firm ground reads well and while the step up to 3m is a slight unknown, coming from a Point background, he should be able to get favourite backers off to a good start. Not one to pile into for me at these prices however.
2.05 Haydock
The second televised race of the day sees it’s second Grade 2 contest, the Rendalsham hurdle over 3 miles. Erne River is favourite and highest rated but is having just his 5th start over hurdles and has been campaigned more as a Chaser this year. Green Book finished 5th in last year’s Albert Bartlett and is coming off the back of a win in a pertemps qualifier. However, you would wonder if he is on a mark they would like to protect for the festival and has to give 4 pounds to the field after a Grade 3 victory last year. A chance is taken on ASHTOWN LAD (7/2), who certainly has bigger fish to fry with the National being his ultimate target. But he has strong hurdles form this year while prepping for big chase targets. He showed well at Aintree behind Remastered before his Becher win and then traveled like the winner on his last start at Warwick.
2:25 Ascot
A competitive 3m chase, headed by Cap Du Nord who while well handicapped, will not be helped by Christian Williams Stable Form. Revills Hill is one to fear. The progressive 8-year-old was well backed last time out when hampered and previously to that ran a nice race at the track. However, a chance is taken on the well-handicapped RIDERS ONTHE STORM (22/1). Go back 3 years and this horse hosed up in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, achieving a rating of 162. While clearly not at that level any more, showed he retains some ability by beating Hitman and GA Law at Aintree. Admittedly below par last time out, we are being compensated with a huge price and if the step up to 3m suits, he should be in with a great chance.
2:40 Haydock
I think that the key to this race is the ground. If there was no good in the going, for me BRISTOL DE MAI (7/1), would be a short priced favourite. Even at good to soft, over this trip, I would give him a chance. Rated 5 pounds lower than when winning this race last year (placed 2nd, winner was disqualified), he was dropped 4 for his seasonal reappearance at his beloved track against rivals vastly superior to what he will face here. He is certainly the best horse in the race if retains even a fraction of his ability, he is good enough to go close here.
3.00 Ascot
FIFTY BALL (9/1) was second in a Betfair Hurdle off a mark of 131 just 2 years ago and while chasing didn’t work out, he clearly has a lot of ability for the Gary Moore team. The selection is 2-2 in hurdle races at the track and the Moore Yard is in good form operating at 22% in the last 2 weeks. With Niall Houlihans Claim, he is effectively running off 125 and should go close. Those interested in a wild Swing should also look at THILBAULT who was second in this race off an identical mark 2 years ago but whose jockey takes off 7 pounds here. Having had 2 spins on the all weather, he has clearly been laid out for this and while you won’t get the 80/1 of 2 years ago, 25’s is a fair price.
3.12 Wincanton
The only race of the Day on terrestrial TV is the 3rd Grade 2 of the day, the King well Hurdle. What used to be an important trial for the champion hurdle has become a race for those probably a bit below CH standard, in this case Knappers Hill, First Street and Iliketomoveit. The first has to give 2 pounds to his rivals and at 3 times the price, a chance is taken on I LIKE TO MOVE IT (7/2) who was wildly impressive in taking apart the Greatwood Hurdle off top weight. If we forgive his last run, he can just get the better of First Street who has form tying in with State Man from last year’s County hurdle and had these 2 well beaten over 4 furlongs further last time out.
3.35 Ascot
The highlight of the day is without a doubt the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. The races seems to have taken extra interest with Allaho now confirmed out of the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and the winner of this contest likely to jump to the head of the reformed Ryanair betting odds. Shiskin is clearly the most interesting runner. The highest rated in the field who won the race of last year at the track, beating Energumene in the Clarence House. However, I don’t think that the trip is the issue with him, but a deeper issue and in true Johnny Dineen style, I think he is a millon to one here. Fakir D’Oudaries jumped to the head of the Ryanair market with the defection of Allaho and is the defending Champion here. However, I think he has been below his best this year and a chance is taken on Paul Nicholls PIC D’ORHY (11/4) whose connections won this race with Cyrname. The 8/1 NRNB for the Ryanair isn’t the worst price either. If he wins, he will be below half that price and if he doesn’t then he will skip the festival.
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