Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
After last week’s freeze-up what a stellar weekend of racing we have to look forward to with eight races being televised and every one of them is a Class 1.
There are five races from Cheltenham on what is known as Trials Day. The card is bolstered by the Clarence House Chase which is redirected here after the card at Ascot was lost last week due to the weather but if the Trials races will throw up any Festival winners remain to be seen.
It is very rare that these races make the forecasts for March any clearer. In fact, they usually muddy the waters even more. Added to this is the fact that very few Irish horses have made the crossing for this fixture when they have the big Punchestown meeting to look forward to next weekend.
The Cheltenham card is backed up by three races at Doncaster and these are just as mouth-watering as the races at Prestbury Park. So with so much to choose from, I’ve looked through the cards for the best value and here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50 Cheltenham. Il Ridoto
3.35 Cheltenham. Blenkinsop
2.40 Doncaster. Twig
3.15 Doncaster. Mister Coffey
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
Beginning with the 1.50 on the fine card at Cheltenham, the Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase is a 2m 4 1/2f contest.
Top weight here is Venetia Williams’s Brave Seasca who won comfortably at Aintree in early December but then flopped here at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He fell at last year’s Festival and perhaps he doesn’t like the undulations here added to that he has a lot of weight.
Evan Williams has chosen this race for Coole Cody, the 12-year-old has won here four times including the Plate at last year’s Festival. He won a match at Ascot in November under an enterprising ride by Adam Wedge but he ran poorly at Kempton a fortnight ago.
Richard Hobson’s Fugitif won at Chepstow’s Christmas meeting beating several that he meets again here. He should confirm those placings but this is much tougher.
The Irish hope here is Stuart Crawford’s Now Where Or When who won at Down Royal in November on his only outing this season. He is lightly weighted and can go close.
Another who is lightly weighted is Henry Daly’s Precious Eleanor who won here last April, but she has been well beaten on both starts this year but may well hit the frame at a big price.
My preference is for Paul Nicholls’s Il Ridoto who has run twice here on his only starts this season finishing a close-up fourth on both occasions. He can improve to take this.
Another who is lightly weighted is Henry Daly’s Precious Eleanor who won here last April, but she has been well beaten on both starts this year but may well hit the frame at a big price.
The Ballymore Novices Hurdle is at 3.35 and there is a very strong field for this 2m 4 1/2f contest. One of the favourites is Dan Skelton’s Pembroke a winner on his last two outings but this long distance is much tougher.
Top weight is Paul Nicholls’s Henri The Second who won a Grade 2 at Sandown last month but his penalty for that may be a factor.
Evan Williams’s Can you Call was an easy winner at Uttoxeter on New Year’s Eve. He runs consistently well and can go close here.
I like Sandy Thomson’s War Soldier who has won his last two starts at Newcastle and Haydock but even though he is upped in both class and distance here, I would like to see him placed.
But one who is proven at this distance is Henry Daly’s Blenkinsop who drops back into novice company after being very successful in handicaps winning four on the trot. He is my selection here.
Moving north to Doncaster and the Albert Bartlett River Don Novices Hurdle is at 2.40. This is run over 3m 1/2f and is a Grade 2 contest.
Grand Soir is having a fine season in Ireland for trainer John McConnell winning three novice hurdles. The form is difficult to judge as the strength of the opposition is uncertain but I’m sure he will go close.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Idalco Bihoue won easily at Worcester in October then ran third in a Grade 1 Newbury contest at the end of December. This drop back in class should see him in the frame.
Donald McCain’s Maximilian is highly fancied after a run of five victories but he came unstuck at Sandown last month where he finished third. I am not sure he will be suited by the extra half mile.
Paul Nicholls’s Stay Away Fay looks like he will take all the beating after the way he won at Newbury in November coming home a relatively easy winner. The distance shouldn’t be a problem as he won over 3 miles in his short PTP career. However, this inexperienced horse is not unbeatable.
My selection to lower his colours is Ben Pauling’s very experienced Twig who won at Kempton in November but has not been seen out since. However, he has won after a break so that should not be a problem.
The 3.15 is the Sky Bet Handicap Chase which is run over 3 miles. The top weight and favourite here is Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law who won the Paddy Power at Cheltenham last time yet swerves that meeting to come here. He is upped in distance and weight and that may hold him back.
Brian Ellison saddled last year’s winner of this contest, Windsor Avenue, and he returns to defend his crown. However, he has only finished one of his last five races and I don’t think this will be his year.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Cloth Cap will probably head for the Grand National once again. He has not won for two years and needs further than this these days.
Charlie Longsden’s Tea For Three has won all four of his races this season but this is much tougher.
Tom George’s Java Point finished off last season with a clutch of victories. His form to date has been good without getting his head in front. He may have to settle for a place once more.
But Nicky Henderson has to be respected when he sends a horse up north and his Mister Coffey comes here having not won since 2020. However, he has been runner-up in four of his last five races and he can go one better here.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
1.50 Cheltenham. Il Ridoto
3.35 Cheltenham. Blenkinsop
2.40 Doncaster. Twig
3.15 Doncaster. Mister Coffey
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
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