Saturday's Meetings Newmarket........... Flat................. 8 Races.....12:20-4:15p.m. Ascot..................... National Hunt.. 7 Races.....12:40-4:05p.m. Down Royal.......... National Hunt.. 7 Races.....12:45-4:10p.m. Wetherby.............. National Hunt.. 7 Races.....12:55-4:20p.m. Ayr........................ National Hunt.. 7 Races...... 1:05-4:30p.m. Santa Anita USA.. Flat............... 12 Races.... 17:15-0:35a.m. At The Races Cards Racing Post Cards Sporting Life Cards Good Luck
I'm predicting a very good day for Mr Nicholls at Ascot, Wetherby and Down Royal: Ascot: Keltus / Ulck Du Lin / Black Thunder Wetherby: Solar Impulse / Silviniaco Conti Down Royal: Rocky Creek / Wonderful Charm It's Saturday in the jumps season and Mr Nicholls is the man to be siding with
I can't work out this JNwine Champion Chase at all.. Pretty sure the market's got it wrong with Nicky's mare favourite though I can see her placing as I'm sure the fact she's travelling over suggests she's forward enough. Fitness shouldn't be a huge issue for her. Ditto Rocky Creek. The best horse in it is surely Boston Bob but I've doubts whether he's forward enough as I recall Mullins running one in this last year which was fatter than my mate I was with! Also he loves better ground, really bounces off it like he showed in the spring so can't have him for this at this time of year. I'm actually almost tempted to thinking Tammy's Hill each-way ain't the worst bet in the world! Unlike a few of these he'll be fit, having won a couple of weeks ago, and although he's well behind them on their best I can see his match fitness possibly helping him nick a place. At a big price he could surprise. The one I hesitantly think I will go for though is Road to Riches. I'm slightly concerned by the trip for him and the forecast rain wont help him either. If they get what I've had here the ground definitely will be soft enough so it's a somewhat cautious selection. I'll probably wait till tomorrow before I wager anything, the ground softening too much would worry me. It's good to remember from time to time it's simply horses running round in a field at the end of the day, strange things can and do happen
I really like Rocky Creek Beefy - finished 2nd in the Hennessy on his seasonal bow last year and I think Nicholls realises the horse is just short of top table material but might be able to land this when the others are not fully wound up
Really like the look of VIOLET DANCER 16-1 Ascot 3:00 tomorrow. Moore a master of plotting up a handicap hurdler.
I have backed Boston Bob 7/2 but I was thinking something similar to you Beefy so I've also backed Tammy's Hill 20/1 eway as I feel the race doesn't seem to possess the same quality it has in previous years (yes, I know, we were spoiled in this division not so long ago). That fitness edge may help Tammy's Hill grab a place in what appears to be a weak race for the grade.
15.35 Ascot - Gevery Chambertin 10/1 ew On his day is the best horse in the race and IMO has the most potential but does have a lot to prove and show based on his win last month at Bangor but incredibly is 8lb lower than his timber Mark but anywhere near his best form should make him very hard to beat indeed
I agree Wooly, I would also put Flintshare with it also as the European's best chances. I am surprised at some horses taken over to be quite honest as it was always a case of the top horses would be taken, now however we have Secret Gesture and Casper Netcher running at the Breeders cup. Someone has persuaded Jamie Spencer to travel over as well it seems.
Boston Bob came good last year. Finally. He wins grade ones. Will he win today? There's lots of reservations but at 10/3 I'd think it has a very good chance. Rocky Creek is a major challenger given Nicholls previous in this particular race. Ma Filleule - surely not. Joint fav???? Jesus.
More of That has scared everything off the bet365 hurdle at Wetherby today and not turned up. I'd be in bits if I sponsored or put this race on. Could have been a terrific contest even without MOT. They should be able to reopen for new entrants imho. Races like this on a Saturday do nothing for the sport and will only serve to hurt MOT's Cheltenham price in the long term (and if you're backing him like I am then this is very bad news!)
The Charlie Hall is a tricky race. Conti would be NAP material if he had already had a run- this is a prep for Betfair chase. MEDERMIT might be having his Gold Cup today. Out for a year with injuries, he returned last season in tough company and gradually started shaping back in form. He is 10 years old now and to aim at top table I imagine he has to prove himself today. I'd hope Alan King has tuned him right up for this. He receives weight, Nicholls horses have needed a run, and King has made a solid start.
Wayward prince has gotta be worth a little bit of money e/w at 20s, inconsistent horse but on a going day is very good and Costello gets on well with it, rode it 7 times, pulled up once, second once, and won the other 5 times, c&d winner
Ardkilly Witness at Ascot. Ran a stormer at HQ over hurdles when getting outpaced before staying on very strongly. Looked a perfect pipe opener for return to chasing.
It's Wishful Thinking but based on some of the above with a large portion of sentimentality (as he did me a huge favour last year) I have taken 40-1 about Realt Mor Ascot: 1-45 Monkey Kingdom; 2-20 Next Sensation NAP; 3-35 Ardkilly Witness - didn't back this last night as I normally do after an evenings studying (tired and shagged out after moving house on Wednesday) but disappointed to see that Pricewise has named it and the 11-1 on offer last night is now history Wetherby: 2-05 Bonne Fee - this one isn't done yet; 3-15 he probably hasn't the class of some of these, but Double Ross at 14-1 will entertain me for a few fences! Down Royal: 1-55 Valmy Baie That's all Folks
15:15 Wetherby - Taquin Du Seuil (Think I'll have a bit of the 9/2 about this one in the Charlie Hall. Needed recent run at N.A. and should strip a lot fitter. Decent jockey () on board). GL today everyone! Nice day's racing. All Saints' Day public holiday down here, long may this fantastic weather continue, makes Winter a lot shorter.
2:20 Asc - Ulck Du Lin 7/1 2:30 DRoy - Boston Bob 7/2 3:00 Asc - Dawalan 6/1 3:10 Weth - Taquin Du Seuil 4/1 3:35 Asc - Gevrey Chambertin 8/1 Canadian for me. Good luck!!
