Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
Proof that the jumps season is back in full swing this week, with two cracking cards being covered by ITV Racing at Ascot and Wetherby. The Wetherby meeting is one I always look forward to, as the Charlie Hall Chase proves that the season has really begun.
This year, there are five races being televised: two Grade 2s, a Listed race, and two Class 3 handicaps.
The Ascot card, not to be outdone, features four handicaps with two Class 1s, a Class 2, and a Class 3. So great autumn fare for the beginning of November, and here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Ascot. Sans Bruit
3.10 Ascot. Moveit Like Minnie
3.45 Ascot. Le Coq Hardi
3.30 Wetherby. Go Dante
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
Starting with the 2.05 at Ascot, the Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase. This is a Grade 3 Premier Handicap run over 2m 1f. Last year’s winner Martator, trained by Venetia Williams, returns to defend his crown. He won first time out last season, but has 4lbs more than last year.
Top weight is Harry Fry’s Boothill, who won this in 2024, but he had 9lbs less to carry that day. He was lightly raced last year, indicating he has had his problems.
Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud ran up a four-timer last season, including a Grade 1 Novice chase. But the way he folded like a cheap deckchair in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival puts me off him if there’s a battle up the Ascot straight.
Henry de Bromhead’s Special Cadeau was a beaten odds-on favourite at Roscommon in September. He doesn’t seem to find much when it matters.
I like the look of Harry Derham’s Teddy Blue, who won a couple of small races last season and is now trying to break into the big time. His trainer would be pleased if he were placed.
But my preference is for Paul Nicholls’s Sans Bruit, who won a Grade 3 at Aintree in April, then finished off his season with a comfortable win at Plumpton later in the month. This could be a stepping stone to better things.
The 3.10 is the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle, a Class 2 Handicap run over a shade under 2 miles. This race has some stellar names amongst its past winners. Joe Tizzard trains one of the favourites here with Alexei, who won twice at Taunton last year. He ran a good second at Chepstow last month, and a better run is expected if he runs with more fluency.
Harry Derham’s Washington won at Chepstow last month, adding to two wins from last season. This is tougher.
Nigel Hawke’s Torrent won twice at the beginning of last season and has been ultra-consistent since being placed in 8 out of 9 of his other outings without winning.
Emma Lavelle’s Indemnity won a Class 4 at Market Rasen last month, adding to a previous victory in May, but he is upped in class here.
I take a chance with Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Moveit Like Minnie, who won first time out last season. On his first run this season last month, he was second to Washington at Chepstow but is 4lbs better off here and can gain his revenge.
The Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase is at 3.45. This Grade 3 Premier Handicap is run over 3 miles.
Kim Bailey’s Two For Gold ran 4th last year but has top weight this time around, and that may anchor him.
Ben Pauling’s Henry’s Friend also has plenty of weight. He is making his seasonal reappearance after a good novice season last year.
Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man was a course and distance winner in February, but although he ran well in some top-class races during the season, he inevitably found one or two too good.
David Pipe’s Neon Moon was third in this race last season and has been aimed at this race this year. He is on a nice low weight and can go close.
Mickey Bowen’s Oliver’s Travels has been running well all summer, winning on a couple of occasions, but is stepping up in class here and looks out of his depth.
Nicky Henderson runs Bhaloo, who won a couple of times last season but has disappointed so far this term and is unproven over this trip.
I prefer the Irish raider, Henry de Bromhead’s Le Coq Hardi, whose latest run was a fourth place in the Grade 3 Kerry National at Listowel. The horses in second and third have subsequently won top-class races, and he can follow their lead.
Next, it’s a move north to Wetherby and the 3.30 is the Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle, a Class 3 contest run over 2 miles. The top weight and class horse in the race is Olly Murphy’s Go Dante, who finished off last season with a victory in a Class 2 at Sandown in March. He will take all the beating despite his weight.
Alan King’s Don’t Mind If I Do won a Class 4 at Wincanton in January, then was defeated when odds-on favourite later that same month.
Lisa Harrison’s mare Pure Gold has won three times already this year, most notably a Grade 3 at Hexham last month.
Sam England’s Saligo Bay is another who has had a productive summer and has carried that form into the autumn, winning a Class 2 at Market Rasen in September.
Either of these two last mentioned can be placed off their low weight, but class should tell, and it’s Go Dante for me.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Ascot. Sans Bruit
3.10 Ascot. Moveit Like Minnie
3.45 Ascot. Le Coq Hardi
3.30 Wetherby. Go Dante
Bet this lucky 15 on Bet365
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