Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
The talk of the turf this week is the clash at Ascot between Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin and Willie Mullins’ Energumene. These two heavyweights take each other on in the Clarence House Chase and I think the ease with which Henderson’s horse dealt with his three rivals at Kempton last time give him the advantage, his trainer was obviously delighted with his performance and will use this as a stepping stone to Cheltenham.
Mullins, on the other hand, could be weighing up the opposition prior to the Festival before he decides where to place his horses.
There are three other races being shown from Ascot along with three from Haydock which includes the Peter Marsh Chase, one of the highlights of the North-West course’s season. Added to this, ITV are also showing the Portman Cup from Taunton where a small but classy field is assembled and Paul Nicholls’ Yala Enki returns to action after a couple of months off.
I have looked through the fields for value and here are my thoughts for this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.45 Ascot. Garry Clermont
2.20 Ascot. Western Victory
2.55 Ascot. Larry
2.35 Haydock. Remastered
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
The first televised race at Ascot is at 1.45 the SBK Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle run over 2m 3 and a bit furlongs. Top weight and current favourite is Jonjo O’Neill’s Garry Clermont whose two runs this winter have both been at Ascot and he has hit the frame on both occasions. I think he has been crying out for further and this looks like the ideal opportunity for him.
Nick Henderson’s Fils d’Oudairies fell at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and comes here after falling at Punchestown and being pulled up in a PTP in Ireland. This is his first run for his new trainer and he is probably best watched.
Stellar Magic looked like a class act for Philip Hobbs last season until he was pulled up on his final outing in February. This season, he ran a fine second at Haydock last month but may have to settle for a place once again.
Dan Skelton’s Unexpected Party has been consistent this season but this is a step up in class for him but he could go well off a low weight.
Kateson has been running well for Alistair Ralph with two seconds at Aintree and Chepstow in December, he may want further but could chase the selection home.
At 2.20 it is the SBK Mares Hurdle and this is run at just under 3 miles. There is an Irish raider here with Willie Mullins’s My Sister Sarah who won at Kempton in November. Since then, she has run disappointingly at Leopardstown and I think she can be opposed.
Dan Skelton’s Molly Ollys Wishes won a Listed race comfortably at Wetherby in October. She was then beaten when stepping up in class here at Ascot in November.
Western Victory is having her first run for Emma Lavelle after moving from Ireland where she was a prolific winner and is expected to put up a top-class performance.
I will give a mention to Harry Fry’s Whitehotchillifili who won a Listed race at Sandown last January but she would want plenty of give in the ground.
The bet365 Handicap Chase is at 2.55 and this 2m 5f contest has Venetia Williams’s Fanion d’Estruval at the top of the weights. He won at Newbury last November but that was his first victory for two years and asking him to concede 17lbs to his nearest rival is surely too much to ask.
Paul Nicholls’s Amour de Nuit was 10 lengths behind Fanion d’Estruval in the Newbury race but is 3lbs better off here.
Killer Clown was a winner for Emma Lavelle at Wincanton earlier this month but he beat very little that day.
Evan Williams’s Golden Whisky stepped up in class to win at Chepstow, his home course, at the Christmas meeting – this is a much bigger contest.
Palmers Hill has won his last two for trainer Jonjo O’Neill the latest of which was here at Ascot in December he must be fancied to make it a three-timer.
But I also like the look of Gary Moore’s Larry who was hampered and unseated his rider on his seasonal debut in October. He came out a fortnight later and won here at Ascot over 3 miles. His latest run was at Sandown in early December where he was tried over 3m 5f finishing sixth. He drops right back in trip here and must have a chance off his lightweight.
Moving to the North-West and at Haydock Park, the 2.35 is the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase a 3m 1 1/2f contest. The favourite and top weight is last year’s winner Venetia Williams’s Royale Pagaille who ran second on his only outing this season here at Haydock in November. He is used to running in a better class of race than this but the weight is a worry.
Richard Hobson’s Lord Du Mesnil is a Haydock specialist winning here three times in his career. He ran second at Wetherby last time and may be placed once again.
Alnadam was fancied last time out at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but he disappointed trainer Dan Skelton finishing only third.
Sandy Thomson’s Empire Steel is fancied in some quarters. He was going well when falling four out at Wetherby on Boxing Day, a reproduction of that form will see him go close.
I will mention Henry Daly’s Fortescue who has shown some fair form in Class 2 races, a small e/w investment could pay.
But my liking is for David Pipe’s Remastered who has been so unlucky this season. He was a length in front over the last at Aintree in November but weakened over the long run-in, then he fell four out at Newbury in November when going best. On his latest outing here at Haydock in December he was only beaten by a horse on the upgrade that he was giving 18lbs to. He deserves his place in the sun.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.45 Ascot. Garry Clermont
2.20 Ascot. Western Victory
2.55 Ascot. Larry
2.35 Haydock. Remastered
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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