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Trick or treat with the grey Dynaste
Trick or Treat! With the greatest respect to the Flat which has rolled out a vintage season in 2015, for the last few weeks, there has been a secret craving for the National Hunt season to arrive.
This weekend is where, for many, the code cranks up a notch. The anticipation for the equine heroes of the winter months, a big burly chaser or a swift, agile hurdler, and on Halloween, scanning the meetings surely Ascot and Wetherby is the Treat. With Trick referring to the intricacies of Keenland, definitely a home win on the coupon.
Having viewed only a couple of meetings, Keeneland offers up the prospect of the tightness of Chester and there appeared no safe draw, but certainly a huge preference for the inner. Bursting from a low numbered stall the requirement is not to expend all the energy, not easy when taking on the Americans in their own backyard who are already accustomed and adept at the skill.
6/1 on Golden Horn to Win the Breeders Cup Turf
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What runners the Breeders’ Cup boasts? Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Undrafted and heading the bill Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, whose life has become a whole lot more simplified with the defection of main rival Beholder. About now would be the right time to give a big shout out to Sophie Doyle, who with victory could play out the biggest Breeders Cup ‘Once Upon A Time….Happily Ever After’ at 5.25 in the Filly & Mare Sprint at 5.25!
The dream double would be Golden Horn and American Pharoah, a defeat for either or worse case scenario both would be a true Halloween nightmare.
8/1 Aidan O'Brien to have a Friday Night Breeders Cup winner!
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The timings for the races couldn’t be more perfect and an excellent offering throughout the afternoon headed up by Ascot and Wetherby - what more could a devotee want?
Trainer John Ferguson has been awesome, making a mockery of the early jumps season. His blue-blooded pedigrees and expert placing have dominated and Aidan Coleman was shrewd enough to cement the partnership. As the bigger stables are in the process of stirring, rubbing their eyes, having just come to from hibernation in readiness this weekend proves the marquee names are gradually being unleashed.
Gordon Elliott wouldn’t know how to shirk an issue, it seems all his runners are spoiling for a race. The JNWine Chase at Down Royal is Don Cossack’s second race of the season - no chance of trainers or jockeys making any profit with cotton wool in this code this season.
And then we welcome back Many Clouds at Wetherby. The Grand National winner has a tough ask conceding weight to Cue Card and Dynaste - good luck with that project.
Rock On Ruby is also a sight to behold at Wetherby, so as I said earlier Saturday is a real treat!
Tanya Stevenson's Saturday's tips:
2.50 Ascot: Jolly’s Cracked It 7-1 with bet365 and Ladbrokes
3.05 Wetherby: Dynaste at 7-2 generally available
4.45 Keenland: Undrafted at 100-30 with MansionBet
Tanya Stevenson's pointers:
2.50 Ascot - William Hill Handicap Hurdle:
Harry Fry has had five winners from his last seven Ascot hurdle runners
Six of the last nine winners came from the first two in the betting
No horse older than six has won
Two horses have lugged top weight around to victory, Desert Quest and Raya Star
Jolly’s Cracked has won both his starts at Ascot
3.25 Ascot - Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase:
Houblon Des Obeaux has run five times at Ascot winning twice, second twice, third once
Paul Nicholls last 14 runners in the race have been beaten, however six have been placed, 2014 Black Thunder 2nd, 2011 Promising Anshan 3rd, 2010 Take The Breeze 2nd, 2008 Gungadu 3rd, 2007 Hoo La Baloo 3rd, 2006 Sweet Diversion 3rd
Only Exmoor Ranger had run in the race before prior to success in 2011
Five of the last nine winners had run at that year’s Cheltenham Festival (2013, 2011, 2010, 2008 & 2006 winners)
All nine favourites have been beaten in the race the best finish for the jolly was Air Force One who was second in 2008
2.30 Down Royal - JNWine.com Champion Chase:
Roi Du Mee is bidding to emulate both Beef Or Salmon and Kauto Star who have won this race twice
Ruby Walsh has ridden the winner of the race three times
Paul Nicholls has had nine runners in the race and won it four times, 2nd three times, 3rd once
From his last nine runners in total at Down Royal Paul Nicholls has saddled four winners
Five of the last ten favourites have won
Only five of the last ten winners had run at the Cheltenham Festival, three of them had run in the Gold Cup (2010 Kauto Star, 2008 Kauto Star 2006 Beef Or Salmon)
2.00 Wetherby - Bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle:
No Planning’s six runs at the course have resulted in four wins and two seconds
Five of the last ten winners had run in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle that year
Seven of the last ten winners had run at the Aintree Grand National meeting
3.05 Wetherby - Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase:
Paul Nicholls has had seven winners from his last 17 runners at Wetherby
Only three of the last ten winners had run at that year’s Cheltenham Festival
Since See More Business landed back to back Charlie Hall Chases for Paul Nicholls the trainer has had 12 runners but only one winner - Silviniaco Conti in 2012. (Four were beaten favourites)
Only one of the last ten winners of the Charlie Hall Chase had run in the same year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup - 2011 Weird Al
Only three of the last ten winners had previously run in the race 2004 Grey Abbey, 2007 Ollie Magern, 2008 State Of Play
All ten winners of the Charlie Hall Chase were priced 8-1 or shorter.
Nine of the last ten winners were making their seasonal debut (Harry Topper wasn’t)
The last horse to defend his Charlie Hall Chase crown was See More Business back in 2000
Wayward Lad, Celtic Shot, Barton Bank, One Man, See More Business and Ollie Magern have all won the Charlie Hall Chase twice
