Though his BHA rating has plunged, since last Summer, Seymour Biz believes the time is right to back William Haggas’ charge at Haydock on Saturday.
The final day of the jumps season takes place on Saturday at Sandown and although there will be no Cue Card, there is Altior to look forward to. Also no Menorah who has won the Oaksey Chase on it’s previous four runnings, Sandown has named the Trophy to the winner after the great chaser. The Gold Cup should be a fine spectacle and I look forward to see some fine chasers in action before they are put out to grass for the summer. The television cameras also go to Leicester and its great to see these provincial tracks put in the spotlight, also Haydock hosts its first flat meeting of the season and the cameras are there for a Class 2 Handicap. Here are my thoughts on the best value betting races for Saturday.
Haydock 2.05
The Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Handicap has attracted some good runners to this North Western course, and at the top of the betting is Mjjack who won last time out at Newmarket this month, he must be at the top of his game and has a good chance. Tony Curtis ran poorly last week and does not seem ready for the seasonal challenges, Lualiwa on the other hand won at Musselburgh at the end of March and can go well here. But I like the look of Squats who had a gentle run-out on the all-weather and could be ready for this, also worth a mention is Firmament who was probably the unluckiest horse in training last year, he has had a run behind Kimbrella and should be fit for this.
2.45 Leicester
This is the totepool EBF Stallions King Richard III Stakes and Roger Varian sends Emmaus here and he will probably go off favourite, he only ran once last year and that was a win here at Leicester, in fact both of his lifetimes victories have been here so he would be a popular winner. But he’s not for me I look to Jallota to take the spoils, Charlie Hills says about him “he rarely runs a bad race, 7 furlongs is his ideal trip and I was delighted with a piece of work he did last week”. Accidental Agent also has a chance, he ran well at Ascot last autumn and that was good form.
1.50 Sandown
The bet365 Novices Championship Final Handicap Hurdle looks a tough race to pick a winner but I will side with Equis Amadeus, he runs keenly but if he gets a decent pace the going will suit him. Paul Nicholls runs a couple in this and Act Of Valour looks to be the best of the two after a good victory at Fakenham at the beginning of the month. The going won’t be soft enough for Ballymoy, but at a big price Enola Gay may appreciate the firmer surface.
3.35 Sandown
This is the big race of the day the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase and I will say straight away and I make no apologies for it, I go with my Grand National tip, Blaklion, who was unluckily brought down at the very first fence. He can make amends here even with top weight for his trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies. There are a couple of other National runners entered but hey had harder races than my boy, most notably Ucello Conti from Ireland. Down the handicap Minella Daddy looks on a handy mark and he comes from the same stable that won this race last year, so he is not without a chance.
Saturday Lucky 15
2.05 Haydock. Squats
2.45 Leicester. Jallota
1.50 Sandown. Equis Amadeus
3.35 Sandown. Blaklion
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Contact Seymour Biz, with your own thoughts, tips and questions, at the following address: ahroberts99@yahoo.com