It’s been a tough time to be a Jumps fan recently with abandonments and poor weather sweeping the country, though help is on the way thanks to Tingle Creek Day on Saturday.
Eight races from Sandown plus a good Aintree card makes this weekend one to enjoy, and that’s before we even think about the return of El Fabiolo in the Hilly Way on Sunday.
As usual, a few horses are grabbing my attention ahead of the start of play, so let’s talk about them.
1:30 Aintree – Brave Seasca @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
The fifth race at Aintree on Saturday could experience a case of Déjà vu as Brave Seasca is looking to win the contest for the second year in a row.
The eight-year-old won last year’s renewal off a mark of 146 in a comfortable manner on ground that was probably as quick as he would have liked it.
Brave Seasca breezes up to win Boylesports Daily Money Back 2nd Handicap Chase for @GavinSheehan92 🥇🐴#ITVRacing | @AintreeRaces | @VenetiaWRacing pic.twitter.com/WhMlFjhRWl
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 3, 2022
12 months on, Venetia Williams’ experienced chaser returns to the scene of the crime off a one-pound lower mark thanks to a nice display of leniency from the handicapper.
Furthermore, he comes into Saturday’s task with the benefit of race fitness on his side after a run in the Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter where he raced the widest of them all before fading due to a lack of fitness.
With the yard in a fair level of form at the moment, Brave Seasca is a classy horse and looks well-handicapped on last season’s evidence.
1:50 Sandown – JPR One @ 7/4 with William Hill – 2pt Win
As mentioned on Wednesday’s Only Fools Love Horses video, JPR One was highlighted as one of my best bets for the weekend at an ante-post stage.
Not much has changed since I said this as I still believe he is the most likely winner based on what he has shown over fences so far.
The improving six-year-old won on heavy ground at Newton Abbot to start the season before his promising effort at Cheltenham when he infamously unshipped Brendan Powell after the last fence.
Disaster at the last! 😮
JPR One jumps so well but unseats Brendan Powell at the final fence.
Homme Public takes advantage to win the SSS Super Alloys Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase 🥇
Fortunately, Powell and JPR One are up and are ok#ITVRacing | @JoshGuerriero pic.twitter.com/Fyql2E1U4X
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 17, 2023
Although a few people questioned why he was given 11 pounds by the handicapper, a penalty of somewhere in that region is understandable as he would have seemingly bolted up if not for his mistake.
Furthermore, JPR One has good form from his time over hurdles and even finished a close second to Datsalrightgino, this season’s Coral Gold Cup winner, at Cheltenham in December 2021.
Although conditions will likely suit Colonel Harry, soft ground should be no issue for JPR One and he deserves his big-race success.
3:35 Sandown – Fontaine Collonges @ 3/1 with BetVictor – 2pt Win
This year’s renewal of the London National is a tight handicap as nine of the top 10 horses in the handicap are within seven pounds of each other.
So, who looks like the best horse at the top of the handicap? In my eyes, with soft ground on the agenda, Fontaine Collonges is the one I’m keeping onside for an across-the-card Venetia Williams double.
The eight-year-old progressed nicely last season with three victories on good to soft, soft, and heavy ground.
The latest of these occurred in November 2022 on her first start of the season where she beat The Big Breakaway at Haydock; Joe Tizzard’s stable star went on to finish second in the Welsh Grand National to frank the form.
Thriller!! 👀
Fontaine Collonges provides @VenetiaWRacing with a first winner since April, getting the better of a titanic tussle with The Big Breakaway under @tommyscu @haydockraces @Betfair
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHXNN pic.twitter.com/grr2yMmWpZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 19, 2022
Following an eye-catching fourth to Remastered at Kempton and two poor runs to finish the season, Williams has given her a wind-op over the summer ahead of her seasonal reappearance on Saturday.
For a horse who clearly goes wells fresh, Ned Fox will take off a valuable five pounds in the saddle to add to her lenient handicap mark of 133, all of which suggests Fontaine Collonges has a great chance to pick up her fifth career success.
