It’s a big day of racing today as the Charlie Hall Chase takes centre stage before the action from Del Mar returns this evening.
This article will highlight my bets for the domestic jumps action.
Let’s dive in.
2:05 Ascot – Saint Segal @ 11/2 with BetVictor – 2pt Win
Starting at Ascot, a cliff horse will carry my money once again as Saint Segal runs in the two-mile handicap chase.
The six-year-old ran in this race last year and looked like the winner before falling at the last fence, and the form of the contest was boosted subsequently as Boothill completed the season by finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown.
His rating is one pound lower this year and Jane Williams has targeted this race for a while.
With a prep run under his belt, he should run well on his second start after a wind op.
2:40 Down Royal – Hewick @ 11/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win
Some will call it bold to take on Gerri Colombe in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, but there is reason to back Hewick.
He has a run under his belt this season already and he’ll enjoy the good ground which is a small worry for the short-priced favourite.
Furthermore, he doesn’t have to find too much on form to win as he was second to Fastorslow and Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown over an extended three miles and he beat a nice field in last year’s King George.
With the uncertainties about Gerri Colombe on his first start of the season, Hewick looks like a sound bet at 5/1.
2:58 Wetherby – The Real Whacker @ 15/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win
Today may very well be the day that The Real Whacker wins.
He’s been my ultimate cliff horse since he won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase in 2023 and has been expensive to follow.
His form is well-known, but why should you back him today?
Well, he’ll come on for his run in the Kerry National, he won on good ground in November 2022, and he gets weight from French Dynamite.
With a few potentially needing the run, he has the ability to buck out from the front and put them all to the sword.
3:15 Ascot – Our Champ @ 14/1 with Bet365 (4 places) – 1pt EW
Our Champ isn’t the best-handicapped horse we’ve ever seen, but he gets his conditions today and can show his talent in Berkshire.
Chris Gordon got a nice prep run into him at Market Rasen in late September and Freddie Gordon returns to the saddle to claim five pounds off his official rating of 131.
The six-year-old improved massively last year and he showed his ability when bolting up in the Sussex Champion Hurdle off 122.
He likes good ground, and with the worry that a few in here may need the run, he should go well fresh.
