Find all previous Seymour Biz racing previews in his weekly column: Saturday Horse Racing Tips.
There is plenty of fine National Hunt racing up and down the country this Saturday, and ITV have picked two of the best courses in the country to feature in their Saturday programme.
There are four races from Sandown where the Tingle Creek is the highlight, and it will be great to see Shishkin make his seasonal reappearance for Nicky Henderson.
The other televised meeting with four races being featured is from Aintree, and the highlight here is the Becher Chase where the runners will travel over the Grand National fences, always a great spectacle.
But there is another fine contest in the offing, and that is the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase where Lucinda Russell’s Ahoy Senor looks very interesting on his second run of the year. However, I have looked at the big handicaps and here are my thoughts and this week’s Lucky Fifteen.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Aintree. Fortescue
2.40 Aintree. Gunsight Ridge
3.15 Aintree. Harbour Lake
2.20 Sandown. Homme Public
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
I will begin at Aintree with the big race of the the day, the Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase at 2.05 run over 3m 2f of the Grand National course. The current favourite is Dan Skelton’s Ashtown Lad who ran third here in a hurdle race at the beginning of last month after finishing last season by running fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins has sent Captain Kangeroo over from Ireland, who won in heavy ground at Cork last month. Mullins will be praying for rain.
Charlie Longsdon’s Snow Leopardess won this last year, and the grey will be a formidable opponent once again but asking her to carry 22 lbs more this time around is a big ask.
Sandy Thomson’s Hill Sixteen was third in a prep race over this distance at Kelso in October, but he has not won for two years and is hard to fancy.
Oliver Greenall’s Gesskille was second here over these fences last month, but this race is 5 furlongs further and I’m not sure if he will get the trip.
I like Henry Daly’s Fortescue, who won a Listed race at Ascot in February and then unseated his rider at the 26th fence in the Grand National in April. He didn’t run well on his seasonal reappearance at Bangor last month, but I will forgive him for that run and take him to win this.
At 2.40, it is the Boylesports Daily Money Back 2nd Handicap Chase, a 2m 4f contest over the Mildmay course. The top weight and one of the favourites is Venetia Williams’s Brave Seasca, who is making his seasonal reappearance after a fine 2021/22 when he won 3 times, but he tries this distance for the first time.
Richard Hobson’s Riders On The Storm was second in this last year and won here over this distance in October, but he has a lot more weight here.
Dan Skelton’s Knight In Dubai ran second at Bangor last month, but this lightly raced gelding has not won for three years, and others are preferred.
Down towards the bottom of the handicap is Cooper’s Cross, trained by Stuart Coltherd, who won a small race at Carlisle in October. He can be placed at a nice price.
Olly Murphy’s Gunsight Ridge won over these fences last month, and I think he will handle the extra four furlongs here and take this.
The Boylesports Extra Places Daily Handicap Hurdle is at 3.15, a 2m 4f race where favourite and top weight is Dan Skelton’s Langer Dan. He was third here last month in a similar race, and I feel he needs to drop down the handicap before he starts winning again.
Oliver Greenall’s Herbiers was a fine winner at Newbury last month and is sure to go close here.
Nicky Henderson’s Walking On Air makes his seasonal reappearance, but he didn’t take to this course when being pulled up here last April.
There is an Irish challenger, Skipping Court, trained by Peter Fahey, who won at Listowel in September but disappointed on his latest run at Punchestown in October. Nevertheless, he must be respected.
My liking is for Alan King’s Harbour Lake, who was a fine third in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last month after winning at Market Rasen in October. The trainer doesn’t think he will have a problem stepping up in trip and is confident about his chances.
Moving south to Sandown and the 2.20 the Betfair Daily Rewards Handicap Hurdle, a 2 mile contest. Harry Fry has the favourite here with Love Envoi, who has only been beaten once in seven contests, and that was on his last outing in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse in April. Prior to that, he won a Grade 2 here at Sandown before going on to win at the Cheltenham Festival. He will take all the beating.
Donald McCain’s Nayati won at Bangor last time his second win of the season, he can go close.
Paul Nicholls has the top weight with Friend Or Foe, who won twice last season. He is a consistent sort but may have too much weight here.
I will give a chance to Oliver Greenall’s Homme Public, who was a winner at Wetherby last month. This is a step up in class, but Greenall’s charge is an improving young horse.
Saturday Lucky Fifteen
2.05 Aintree. Fortescue
2.40 Aintree. Gunsight Ridge
3.15 Aintree. Harbour Lake
2.20 Sandown. Homme Public
Bet this lucky 15 now on Bet365
Related Reading