Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
There are nine races being televised this week from three different courses, Ascot, Haydock, and Wincanton.
The Ascot card features five races, a Grade 2 novice chase, a Grade 3 handicap chase, two Class 2 hurdles, and a Grade 1 chase where Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon looks to continue his winning ways on his way to Cheltenham.
At Haydock, three races are being covered by ITV Racing. Two Grade 2 hurdles and the Grade 3 Grand National Trial Handicap Chase, which I’ve reviewed below.
Finally, ITV are covering one race from Wincanton, which is a Grade 2 hurdle. So of the nine contests, just three are handicaps as the trainers gear their horses up for the Festival.
I have looked through the cards for value, and here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.40 Haydock. Reckless Spending
3.15 Haydock. Richmond Lake
2.25 Ascot. Listentoyourheart
3.00 Ascot. Merry Thing
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
I will begin at Haydock Park with the 2.40, the Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices Hurdle. This is a Grade 2 race run over 3m 1/2f. The current favourite is Dan Skelton’s Dalston Lad, who was a course and distance winner last month. He moves up in grade here from handicap company.
Jamie Snowden’s Legendary Luke has had a good career to date, but this is a massive leap up in class after Class 4 handicaps.
Olly Murphy’s Ubatuba has come through the point-to-point ranks and has won two Class 4s at Leicester. He may be placed here.
Sam Thomas runs Whiskey Yankee, who is another stepping up after winning a Class 3 at Ascot last month. That was a hot handicap, and he beat some good horses. I expect him to go close.
But my preference is for Nicky Henderson’s Reckless Spending, who ran in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in December. He got bumped into that day and was generally knocked about, so Henderson sent him to Kempton last month to run in a Class 4 to regain his confidence. He thrashed 14 opponents and won by 15 lengths, showing his true ability.
The 3.15 is the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase, a Class 1 Premier Handicap run over 3m 4 1/2f. Dan Skelton’s Deafening Silence is the warm favourite here after finishing second in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and third in the Welsh National at Chepstow. Despite these fine efforts, he may have to settle for a place once more.
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius has promised so much and was once the favourite for the Grand National. He ran a fine 5th in the Welsh National under a big weight, and a bold run is expected here as he makes his way to Aintree for the big race once more.
Joe Tizzard’s Rivers Corner won the Somerset National at Wincanton in January after putting up some fair efforts to be placed in other distance races this season.
Myretown, trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, won the Ultima at last year’s Cheltenham Festival but fell when highly fancied in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November. On his latest outing, he ran 5th in the Peter Marsh Chase here at Haydock last month.
Donald McCain’s Richmond Lake has run well in defeat on his three runs this season, none more so than last month when he was only beaten a neck in the Peter Marsh Chase. He can go one better here.
Moving south to Ascot and the 2.25 is the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle, this is a Class 2 handicap run over 2m 3 1/2f. Dan Skelton has the top weight here with Kateira, who was placed in a Listed Mares race at Doncaster in November, but she disappointed at Musselburgh last month.
Skelton also runs Listentoyourheart, who won a Class 2 at Windsor on New Year’s Day. Another bold run is expected from a yard in form.
David Pipe’s Jurancon won twice last season but has disappointed in both his runs this term. The step up in class he makes here does not bode well.
Sam Thomas’s Range won a Class 3 at Sandown in early January, but this is tougher.
Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’s Moveitlikeminnie has been running well in some good company this season and ran third here at Ascot last month in a Class 2. He can be a contender off his low Weight.
Fergal O’Brien’s John Barbour moves up in class here after winning two Class 4s at Uttoxeter this season. I expect him to go well, but Listentoyourheart may have too much in the locker for these challengers.
At 3.00, it is the Betfair Swnley Handicap Chase, a Grade 3 Premier Handicap run over 3 miles. Paul Nicholls’s Threeunderthrufive ran here in a similarly rated contest as this last month and was pulled up. Age seems to be catching up with this old campaigner.
Dan Skelton has the favourite with Joyeux Machin, whose chasing career is not quite going to plan. He ran 4th at Doncaster in December, then returned to the same track in January. He fell when 5 lengths clear and the race at his mercy. Skelton will hope he makes amends here.
Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Jipcot won at Leicester in a Class 3 last time. This is much tougher.
Tom Lacey’s Montregard won over this distance in a Class 4 here at Ascot in November. On his latest run, he ran second here to a hot handicapper. This is much tougher but he is not without a chance of his low weight.
Lacey also has Nocte Volatus in the mix here. His two wins this season have come in Veterans races, including the Class 2 final. He is well handicapped and could put up a bold show, but I prefer Joyeux Machin.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.40 Haydock. Reckless Spending
3.15 Haydock. Richmond Lake
2.25 Ascot. Listentoyourheart
3.00 Ascot. Merry Thing
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
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