Saturday's Meetings Punchestown N/H 8 Races 11:30-3:20p.m. Huntingdon N/H 7 Races 11:45-3:08p.m. Haydock N/H 7 Races 12:08-3:35p.m. Ascot N/H 7 Races 12:25-3:45p.m. Newcastle(E) A/W 9 Races 3:30-7:40p.m. Wolverhampton(E) A/W 9 Races 4:25-8:25p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
Haiti Couleurs in the Betfair Chase for me tomorrow. Lots of stats that are against him but the lovely Rebecca knows the time of day. Match fit, a thorough stayer with a bit of class. Can’t forget the favourite falling in a heap in this race last year.
FIRST GREYED 8.25 Wolverhampton 11/1 Won over C&D 3 times flopped last time out but seems to like it round here
Interesting to see the 1st and 2nd from the Cheltenham Pertemps qualifier, Ma Shantou and Electric Mason, reopposing today at Haydock (14:25). Electric Mason has a 6lb pull in the weights, plus Freddie Gordon's 3lb claim, but Ma Shantou won very tidily at Cheltenham and I think he can confirm the form today. There are a couple near the foot of the weights (Nab Wood and Hartington) that look dangerous but I think Ma Shantou remains a good bit ahead of the handicapper and he can take this nice prize today.
Just caught up with the racing. Very nicely done by Grey Dawning. Haiti Couleurs ran no race at all, very disappointing. Good day for the Skelton Trainer Championship bid with £200k banked.
That Kabral Du Mathan put in a striking enough performance today In Haydock I felt. Has a nice cruising speed there when needed and wasn't lacking when the button was pushed at the end to score quite effortlessly. Grey Dawning did it well but I would hold reservations regarding the strength of form from this particular race. Talks of Gold Cup are fair after the way he did it but I would have slight issue on the extra staying power when push comes to shove in a better field. On that note, to bang a well worn drum - some of these "Grade 1's" are just deplorable now, really. The Betfair chase to name 1 of many from today alone, we could go on... One performance I felt deserves a mention is that of the Gigginstown bumper winner in Punchestown - Ballyfad. He was a warm favourite but got readily out sprinted to fall back to 3rd at the 3 pole before powering on and out staying his rivals. I wasn't sure if it was a poor judgement of ride or a brilliant ride but I will side with the latter and say the jockey did excellent to rally his mount to win. A horse that will no doubt take rank among the staying divisions over the next few years.
