With the jumps in full swing, we focus today on Wetherby for their highlight card of the year. The Charlie Hall Chase features a roll of honour full of racing legends, and this race has Bravemansgame, Conflated and The Real Whacker all involved. Whilst down at Ascot its big early season handicap action. A proper Saturday of racing awaits us.
Wetherby
Kat Got The Cream
2:22 – West Yorkshire Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kateira @ 2/1 (William Hill)
Dan Skelton is currently on red hot form. Operating at 29%, it seems that most of his horses can’t go wrong. And Kateira looks to be one who can’t go wrong. She produced a taking performance in a premier handicap hurdle at Aintree. She raced in the Listed Mares Hurdle last year, but stepping up to a more manageable distance and with a weight allowance, she had to be taken to win this.
Taking A Whacker
2:58 – Charlie Hall Chase (Grade Two) – The Real Whacker @ 10/1 (General)
Let’s talk about the opposition first. Paul Nicholls are not to be followed at this time of the season, and Bravemansgame has no win in last seven, despite what his trainer tells us. There’s also been no 10+ year old won the race since Grey Abbey in 2004. And the Irish only managed to crack the code for this race last year.
That leaves me with The Real Whacker. He unseated midway through the Kerry National when going well. Today the ground will be to his liking, and the level of racing will also be up to his standard. The Real Whacker also receives weight from French Dynamite which is a bonus, who won’t be far away from the finish either.
Ascot
Patience of a Saint
2:05 – Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Saint Segal @ 5/1 (General)
A really nice contest to get the jumps action underway in Berkshire. But I’m opting with last year’s third, Saint Segal. He’s ran well the previous twice visits, including going well when falling here last November. He’s two pounds lower than his run in this contest last year, has a liking for good ground and is second up from a wind op. The signs point for the Saint.
Champion Vintage
3:45 – Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Chianti Classico @ 11/4 (William Hill)
Ultima winner Chianti Classico has been aimed at this race as his start off point for a potential tilt at the Grand National this year. He won at Ascot last year on good ground, and has a versatility for any ground after a stellar season. He steps down from a Grade One to handicap company, and despite carrying top weight he has plenty of talent to pull it off.
Hidden Depths has also had a good Summer, picking up valuable handicap at Perth and beating a decent Skelton horse in Mylesfromwicklow. Good ground will suit and slips into this handicap at the bottom of the weights which should give him a fighting chance. Not to be underestimated at 14/1 (William Hill, BetVictor).
Best of Luck!
