Morning, the racing at HQ was of the highest quality last week but today across Ascot and Haydock the season really continues at it’s early stages to provide us with plenty to get our teeth into.
I will begin by reviewing the Ascot card and then move onto Haydock, focussing only on those races Grade 3 and above (as the blog does).
Ascot
12:20 – Novices Hurdle – NO BET
12:55 – Novices Handicap Chase – NO BET (Although I am keen to see how the Fav performs).
13:30 – Mares Handicap Hurdle
GET THE APPEAL is our main selection, high in the speed ratings and with Ben Bromley on board taking 7 pounds off, the mare is proven at track and trip.
Get the Appeal 17/2 3pt ew
14:05 – Chase (Grade 2)
The Jeremy Scott trained DASHEL DRASHER is our selection, in a race full of plenty who have met before a few years younger than most of these, let’s hope Rex Dingle can be as successful as Matt Griffiths has been on board.
The eye will obviously be drawn to any revivals from Defi Du Seuil or Lostintranslation.
Dashel Drasher 9/2 3pt ew
14:40 – Ascot Hurdle
Buzz should have far too much for these, a winner on the flat in the summer, steered to success by the Champion Jockey at Newmarket, his class should show today. Keep an eye out for Goshen who skipped Cheltenham last week.
NO BET.
15:15 – Handicap Chase
The Skelton yard ended last weekend on a high, dominating the card on the Sunday of Cheltenham and with Amoola Gold they have certainly across the Ascot card, their best chance, proven over distance and getting weight from rivals, the recent success at the course can be followed up.
Amoola Gold 8/1 2.5pt ew
Haydock
We head up to Haydock to review the first big northern meeting of the season.
12:10 – NO BET
12:40 – Stayers Hurdle
A difficult race to read, the pin falls on Silva Eclipse for Sue Smith, Ryan Mania has been as good as ever since returning to the saddle and with a careful ride (with stamina a key question) he can navigate our selection home.
Silva Eclipse 6/1 2pt ew
13:15 – Handicap Hurdle
Our Surprise is so low in the weights, he should have too much for these today.
Our Surprise 10/3 3pt ew
13:50 – Chase
All eyes will be on the returning Bravemans Game, one to watch.
NO BET
14:25 – Stayers Handicap Hurdle
RIGGS is well handicapped for the Skelton’s as is ORBYS LEGEND, we will back both.
Riggs 15/2 2.5pt ew
Orbys Legend 4/1 2pt ew
15:00 – Betfair Chase
One to watch and enjoy, A Plus Tard so close in the Gold Cup last year should have too much for all of these but the price reflects the chances, Royal Pagaille and Imperial Aura make the most interest from a betting perspective, hence two small plays on those.
Royal Pagaille 9/1 1pt ew
Imperial Aura 17/2 1pt ew
15:35 – Handicap Chase
The favourite Strictlyadancer hosed up last week at Cheltenham, with the benefit of bags of weight he should go in again today if last week did not take too much out.
NO BET however.
Multiples
Dashel Drasher (1405) & Amoola Gold (1515) 44/1 1pt ew
& Strictlyadancer (1535) for a treble as well 128/1 0.5pt ew
Horse Racing Selections 