Cheltenham
Saturday
1.10 William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 4f 44yd
As Legends Have It is respected given he’s proven on a soft surface over fences, but the vote goes to a chasing debutant in the shape of Sogna In Grande. From a good French jumping family (dam was a useful winner over jumps for Willie Mullins), Sogna In Grande won his second start in points before going hurdling last season for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls, and looked a decent recruit when winning his first two starts before being found out in listed company.
A well-built gelding, Sogna in Grande looks every inch a chaser in the making and it looks significant that his connections are sending over fences at the earliest opportunity. He handles soft ground and looks overpriced given the promise he’s shown to date. His veteran handler isn’t inclined to overface his chasers so it augurs well that he is starting out at Cheltenham in this sphere and he is one to keep on side.
1.45 William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices’ Hurdle
2m 7f 208yd
Softening ground is a concern for Road To Wembley, while Newbrook Diamond is not progressing and looks vulnerable. Kashchei is probably the sensible choice in the circumstances, but it would be dangerous to dismiss prolific point winner Woodstock Octo now switched to hurdles. From the family of high-class chasers of yesteryear Glenelly Gale and Cab On Target, he showed some ability between the flags in Ireland but has thrived since moving to the UK, winning all his six starts in admittedly ordinary company. It’s not easy to gauge how well the selection will take to racing under rules, but his experience in points will stand him in good stead and he’s worth risking in a race that may take less winning than might be expected.
2.20 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Qualifier) 2m 7f 208yd
Seaniecon is a horse who first caught my eye when winning over three miles, one furlong at Hereford and again looked a stayer when second of nine to Dig Deep in a two-and-a-half-mile novice at Uttoxeter in March.
I was with him at big odds when he was fourth in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in the spring and he again ran well when a close fifth in a Punchestown handicap a few weeks later. My impression last term was that Seaniecon was a very raw youngster who would take some time to reach his peak.
I think he could make up into a high-class staying chaser in time and he reminds me a little of Holywell, who won the Pertemps Final for Jonjo in 2013 before scoring at both Cheltenham and Aintree the following season as a novice chaser.
Holywell started his second season over hurdles rated 124 and Seaneicon is on a similarly tempting mark despite his Grade 1 form. I think he will progress enormously this term and he can afford to win this without spoiling his mark for the final in March. He’s my idea of the best bet of the weekend.
2.55 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase
3m 1f
Uncle Bert isn’t the most consistent but he ran by far his best race over fences when scoring impressively on last season’s return at Aintree in December and first time out is almost certainly the best time to catch him.
The worry here is that he is often let down by his jumping over fences, but he arrives here with his stable in excellent form and it’s worth noting that his jumping was excellent at Aintree on the whole. Not one for the long term, he’s nonetheless well treated if bouncing back as expected and will go close with a clear round.
3.30 Masterson Holdings Hurdle 2m 87yd
The Masterson Holdings Hurdle is not my idea of a betting medium as predicting whether useful juveniles will progress or not is far from an exact science. I do believe that there is better to come from La Luna Artista this term, but there is a doubt as to whether Cheltenham is the ideal course for last season’s Adonis Hurdle winner.
She beat One Horse Town easily at Kempton but had finished behind him at this track on her previous start. She didn’t have things run to suit on quick ground at Sandown on her final start and remains unexposed. I’m hoping for a promising run here and something like the Gerry Feilden could suit.
Doncaster
Saturday
12.55 Richard James Hone
Memorial Handicap 5f 3yd
The stalls are in the centre at Doncaster, and that may well suit those drawn high, with the far side being utilised on Friday and likely churned up as a result. King Of Light won on deep ground at Haydock where he had Boston Dan well behind, but the latter raced with one other runner in the middle of the track that day and had no chance the way the race panned out.
He bounced back with a fine run at York last time, this time with the draw in his favour, and he could represent some value for all he’s out of the handicap here. The ability to handle deep ground will be more important than weight carried, and Tim Easterby’s charge was a winner on heavy ground at Haydock early last month, so should relish these testing conditions.
1.30 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) 1m
Noble Exhibit is clearly the right favourite here, but I’ve been waiting for Breacher to have his stamina properly tested and the Muir/Grassick juvenile has very much caught the eye on his last two starts over seven furlongs, staying on well for a place in both the Solario Stakes at Sandown and the Champagne Stakes here.
He coped well with a soft surface in the Solario and the combination of testing ground and a longer trip looks sure to bring about a chunk of improvement, for all I would have preferred to see him in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket instead.
2.05 William Hill Remembering Sue Wright Prospect Stakes (Listed) 6f 2yd
Bengal Tiger may only have won a maiden at Naas last time, but not only did he score by a gaping 12 lengths, but he did so in a very smart time for the conditions at play. Even softer ground will be no concern for him and he looks capable of bossing this race from flagfall. He’s impossible to oppose.
Recommended
Sogna In Grande 1.10 Cheltenham – 1pt win @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Coral)
Woodstock Octo 1.45 Cheltenham – 1pt win @ 12/1 (general)
Seaniecon 2.20 Cheltenham – 3pts win @ 10/3 (general)
Boston Dan 12.55 Doncaster – 1pt e/w @ 9/1 (general – 3 places)
Breacher 1.30 Doncaster – 1pt win @ 11/1 (Hills, Paddy Power; 10/1 general)