THIS could be the best Saturday of racing before the Cheltenham festival begins and there are a couple of races at Haydock and Ascot in particular that are exciting, not least the Grand National Trial where you can make a case for all 9 runners.
We have discussed my selections on the Gambla Racing Podcast so have a listen if you can:
2.05pm Haydock
ON THE BLIND SIDE is fast becoming a favourite of mine. Fair play to Nicky Henderson who seems to be finding just the right races for the horse. He had to battle to win last time out and those sort of fighting qualities should stand him in good stead in this one. It's a trickier race but he looks to be the most likely winner for me and 7-2 is a very fair price.
2.25pm Ascot
There are two that I like in this race. The first is NEWTIDE who has had a wind operation after two poorer runs this season. I reckon he can bounce back and the market seems to agree – having opened up at 10-1 he has now been backed into 7-1.
My other selection is HILL SIXTEEN who was looking like a really impressive staying chaser until his last run where he bombed out. He is a much bigger price today so it's worth chancing him to return to top form. If he can do that he will go very close here.
2.40pm Haydock
This is a belter of a race and you can make a decent case for most of them. The one I like the most is ACHILLE for Venetia Williams. He was off the track for 18 months before his return last month where he ran incredibly well to finish 2nd with the front pair well clear of the rest. I think he is entitled to improve for that run and can go very close again here with conditions to suit and Charlie Deutsch making the trip north to Haydock when he also had the option to ride at Ascot.
3.00pm Ascot
The one I fancy for this is ARRIVEDERCI from the Jonjo O'Neill yard. He ran well in 2nd last time and I think he has plenty of scope to continue to improve. The stable clearly thinks a lot of him because he has been well supported in the market on each of his runs. I expect him to go close and with several firms paying 5 places each way he looks a good bet to at least make the frame.
12:30 Southwell - Race: 1
Distance: 3m 60y
Type: Chase
Class: 4
Track: Turf
No
Silks
Runner
Jockey/Trainer
Odds
1
Faustinovick
6-44222
J:H Cobden
T: C L Tizzard
5
Rizzardo
12P-51P
J:Sam Twiston-Davies
T: N A Twiston-Davies
7
Overawed
1125-23
J:Lee Edwards
T: J Groucott
8
Kayf Thou
34383-P
J:Nick Scholfield
T: Christian Williams
3
Optimistic Bias
072/U1P
J:Shane Quinlan
T: H J Evans
2
Darius Des Bois
P2212-P
J:Fergus Gregory
T: C Fryer
6
Ecossais
561133
J:Ross Turner
T: O Greenall
4
Ivilnoble
U1-P53P
J:Non Runner
T: C J Mann
13:00 Southwell - Race: 2
Distance: 2m 4f 88y
Type: Chase
Class: 3
Track: Turf
No
Silks
Runner
Jockey/Trainer
Odds
1
Faustinovick
6-44222
J:H Cobden
T: C L Tizzard
5
Rizzardo
12P-51P
J:Sam Twiston-Davies
T: N A Twiston-Davies
7
Overawed
1125-23
J:Lee Edwards
T: J Groucott
8
Kayf Thou
34383-P
J:Nick Scholfield
T: Christian Williams
3
Optimistic Bias
072/U1P
J:Shane Quinlan
T: H J Evans
2
Darius Des Bois
P2212-P
J:Fergus Gregory
T: C Fryer
6
Ecossais
561133
J:Ross Turner
T: O Greenall
4
Ivilnoble
U1-P53P
J:Non Runner
T: C J Mann
13:20 Leopardstown - Race: 1
Distance: 2m
Type: Hurdle
Class:
Track: Turf
No
Silks
Runner
Jockey/Trainer
Odds
6
Grand Bornand
1-42
J:P Townend
T: W P Mullins
5
Gee Rex
72
J:B Hayes
T: Emmet Mullins
1
Buddy Rich
20/28-4
J:D J O'Keeffe
T: M Brassil
2
Champagne Sparkles
33
J:J W Kennedy
T: G Elliott
3
Fama Et Gloria
5
J:J J Slevin
T: J P O'Brien
18
Bridge Street
5
J:M P Walsh
T: E J O'Grady
8
Landue
J:S O'Callaghan
T: R K Watson
9
Maccloud
P1-
J:Rachael Blackmore
T: P Neville
4
Finnians Row
J:C D Maxwell
T: D A McLoughlin
17
You Have No Idea
J:K C Sexton
T: Peter Fahey
7
Kavanaghs Cross
F/P-P46
J:D E Mullins
T: S Doyle
10
Minella Mystics
22/6-090
J:S D Torrens
T: J C McConnell
11
Mr Messi
P
J:P T Enright
T: Daniel Howard
13
Tom Flynn
P6P9
J:C F Hart
T: D Hogan
16
Woods
J:B Browne
T: O McKiernan
12
Play The Knave
8
J:H Morgan
T: V T O'Brien
14
Wats Up Dock
0-0
J:K M Donoghue
T: Una Corcoran
15
Wexford Dawn
0
J:A W Short
T: N McKnight
-
Racing Tips
Haydock Park - 2:05 pm
On The Blind Side 4pt win
7-2
Ladbrokes
Ascot - 2:25 pm
Newtide 2pt ew
7-1
William Hill
Ascot - 2:25 pm
Hill Sixteen 1pt ew
12-1
PaddyPower
Haydock Park - 2:40 pm
Achille 2pt ew
15-2
William Hill
Ascot - 3:00 pm
Arrivederci 3pt ew
6-1
PaddyPower
Morning VOV like Arrivederci and done a saver on Newtide but also gone against you on a couple but good luck.
ASCOT
13.50. .Denachine. .3/1
14.25. .Jerrysback. .3/1
HAYDOCK
14.05. .Third Wind. .9/2
14.40. .Sojourn. .4/1
GL