Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
Two fine cards to look forward to this Saturday as the jumps season really gets going. The television cameras are at Ascot and Wetherby with nine races in all being covered.
There is also an extra contest being shown, the Ladbroke Champion Chase from Down Royal in Northern Ireland where Paul Nicholls has Frodon in the lineup. But back to England where four handicap races from Ascot are being covered, including the London Gold Cup on a top-class card.
Moving north to Wetherby where Cyrname is looking to defend the trophy he won last year in the Charlie Hall Chase but he may have a fight on his hands with the progressive Shan Blue in the field. This is just one of the five races being shown from the West Yorkshire course three of which are Class 1’s so there’s lots to look forward to this Saturday and here are my thoughts for this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.10 Ascot. Boothill
2.45 Ascot. Frero Banbou
3.20 Ascot. Johnbb
3.40 Wetherby. Mackenburg
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
Beginning at Ascot with the 2.10 the Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles. The top weight here is Paul Nicholls’ Wild Max who, after two victories early last season, he flopped later on. I am not really sure he is up to this level and he has a lot of weight.
Ajero trained by Kim Bailey had shown great form all last year winning on four occasions but when highly tried at Aintree in April failed to live up to expectations. He may be better after a break and make the frame.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Soaring Glory won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February prior to being well beaten in the Supreme Novices at the Cheltenham Festival. He is sure to go chasing and this could be a run to get him right for that.
Progressive looks a lively contender for a place at a nice price for Nicky Henderson after his victory earlier this month at Chepstow.
But I like the look of Harry Fry’s Boothill who had a splint problem after winning by over 9 lengths at Taunton last December. He is reported to have got over that and looks to be something special and he can continue his upward climb by taking this.
The 2.45 is the Byrne Group Handicap Chase a 2m 1f contest which was won last year by Amoola Gold and Dan Skelton’s gelding returns to try and repeat the feat. He seems to go well fresh and is sure to go close here but has 15lbs more than last year and may have to settle for a place.
Gary Moore’s Editeur Du Gite finished last season with fine wins at Newbury and Aintree but he has risen 8lbs since then.
Kim Bailey’s One For Rosie heads the weights after two wins towards the end of last season but this is a major step up in class for Bailey’s grey.
Sam Thomas’s Grey Diamond won on his penultimate start at Sandown then finished behind Editeur Du Gite at Aintree but he is 5lbs better off here and can reverse those placings and make the frame.
Frero Banbou finished fourth in that race and is now 10lbs better off with the winner, Venetia Williams’s star had won by 9 lengths previously at Sandown and has the qualities to be successful here.
In the 3.20 Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase, Kim Bailey has the top weight and warm favourite with Vinndication who won this race in 2019, but he was unsuccessful last term and has a lot of weight here.
Last year’s winner was Regal Encore and Anthony Honeyball’s charge is something of an Ascot specialist with four victories at the Berkshire venue but he has 7lbs more than last year and others make more appeal.
Colin Tizzard’s Mister Malarky is a course and distance winner but this race could be just a stepping stone on the way to another tilt at next year’s Grand National.
Garry Moore’s Larry is not without a chance despite unseating at Fakenham two weeks ago, Moore has won this race twice in the last five years and Larry can hit the frame at a nice price.
But my preference is for Tom Lacey’s Johnbb who was lightly raced but showed some good form last season. He won at Wetherby in November then fell there on Boxing Day, finally he showed battling qualities to finish second at Aintree at the April meeting. If he can show those traits he can gain victory in a top-quality field.
Moving to Wetherby, the 3.40 is the bet365 Handicap Hurdle run at just under two and a half miles. Jonjo O’Neill has the top weight here with Pagero who was victorious at Worcester in September but the weight may be a factor here.
Alex Hales’ Bourbon Beauty notched up a couple of wins last season at Kelso and Newbury, the latter in a Grade 2 contest where the jockey got so excited he dropped the reins on the run-in. A reproduction of that would see him romp this but as this is his seasonal reappearance I think perhaps he is best watched.
Jedd O’Keeffe’s Rattle Owl is making his handicap debut having won a nice novice hurdle at Sedgefield last month. I am sure his trainer would be pleased if he can hit the frame.
Donald McCain crosses the Pennines with Mackenburg who ran consistently well last season finishing off with a victory when left clear at Kempton in April. He can make that step up in class to be successful here.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.10 Ascot. Boothill
2.45 Ascot. Frero Banbou
3.20 Ascot. Johnbb
3.40 Wetherby. Mackenburg
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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