We have some solid meetings to get stuck into for Saturday's Lucky 15 bet. Haydock and Ascot have some Class 1 and good handicaps.
The Jukebox Kid 3/1 – Ascot 1.00
There are a lot of horses in this race who are on the handicap marks they deserve to be on, making it difficult for them to win. The Jukebox Kid was a beaten favourite at Cheltenham last time out, but he didn't quite get home, and a slightly shorter trip might be ideal.
My selection is a very lightly raced horse, and put in a fantastic performance at Carlisle to win on chasing debut.
The form of the Carlisle win has been boosted a lot since. The runner-up has finished second and won a Class 2 race, and is now 19lbs higher in the handicap since getting smashed by The Jukebox Kid.
The Jukebox Kid's jumping wasn't great at Cheltenham, and that can happen to a lot of novices, as it is a very testing jumping track. With that experience, and further time being schooled over fences, I think he'll be more assured in today's race.
Vincenzo 2/1 – Ascot 2.20
Vincenzo has been tipped up a couple of times this season, both resulting in runner-up finishes at Cheltenham. Having a horse go close this many times isn't ideal, as it shows he is prone to an improver.
However, I think this might be the race he gets his head in front. He was beaten by Panic Attack on his seasonal reappearance and then caught off guard by the front-running performance of the outsider last time out.
I don't see a horse ridiculously well-treated in this race, so he has to be worth one more try.
Myretown 9/4 – Haydock 2.00
My early fancy for the Grand National in April is Myretown. I thought he looked like a typical Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore horse for that race, so if he is to have a chance in the National, he should be winning this.
He was electric at the Cheltenham Festival last year and was fancied to win the Coral Gold Cup in November. Unfortunately, he was a faller, and he hasn't been seen since.
I still believe he is a very talented horse, and if he's not worse for wear after the fall, I think he is still on a good handicap mark of 142.
Koukeo 5/2 – Haydock 3.45
This race is crying out for one of the younger horses to win. I had it between Koukeo and Kykorock, two progressive chasers who are likely on good marks.
I've opted for the Jonjo horse as he returned to the track on chasing debut with an emphatic win. The win came in a lesser race, and he has gone up in the weights, but chances are that he will have come on for that run.
His jumping was good for a novice, and he beat some consistent horses and an odds-on favourite.
GambleAware