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No Mountainous to climb for Kerry Lee at Haydock
There are none more hardier and tolerant groups than punters.
Their investment in the sport is too often taken for granted.
Even more so when the hard knocks to their bets are like a blow to the solar plexus – look at the defection of Faugheen from the Stan James Champion Hurdle this week. Ooof.
Wednesday’s news was a massive blow to the punting faithful as his participation, and indeed presumed victory, was integral to many ante-post multiples.
Never wavering, it is expected that the wagering faithful will now go in again. If anything but to recoup the losses and defy such disappointing body blows.
As the Cheltenham Festival draws ever closer,there is a degree of expectation – as there is every year - that there will be more dashed dreams before we reach the Tuesday.
It is an achievement enough just to get to the post, let alone to go on to victory, and that is probably why there is no finer satisfaction than backing a winner. At The Festival, especially.
There was a wobble in the betting markets for the Skybet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Min this week also, and Annie Power may yet take Faugheen’s place in the Champion Hurdle but taking part in Faugheen’s place will not replenish the money lost unless further investments are made.
Kerry Lee has had a fabulous first season, wondrous in fact, and the next two Saturdays gives her every opportunity of producing more of the same.
On Saturday she has Coral Welsh National hero Mountainous and Bishops Road running in Haydock’s Grand National Trial and the ground is certainly similar to that at Chepstow on December 27. You might say conditions were ideal for Mountainous, then.
Mountainous tops my weekend list and he should not be scared by anything in the line-up, although his stable companion could become the biggest danger but over the trip he is an unknown quantity.
12/1 Silviniaco Conti to win the Betfair Ascot Chase
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The temptation to back Savello in the Betfair Ascot Chase is huge; he has put in some real solid performances without receiving any recognition.
His fourth to Old Guard over hurdles was then followed by a third to Sprinter Sacre and he then ran a blinder when fourth to Lil Rockerfeller at Sandown last time.
He also won the 2014 Grand Annual, lest we forget.
Others that have my fingers crossed are Drumacoo in the 1.50 at Ascot after an impressive introduction and Debdebdeb - now that would really make it a good day for Bridget Andrews!
Tanya Stevenson's Saturday tips:
1.50 Ascot: Drumacoo at 9-4 generally available
2.40 Haydock: Mountainous at 5-1 with Paddy Power
Tanya Stevenson's Saturday pointers:
1.50 Ascot - Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase:
The last ten winners have been aged no older than seven
Eight of the last ten winners came from the first three in the betting with four of them being favourites
Eight of the last ten winners had won over fences on their most recent run
O’Faolains Boy defeated Many Clouds in 2014 and then went on to win the RSA Chase, while Many Clouds won the 2015 Grand National
Bobs Worth finished second and Silviniaco Conti fourth in 2012
Albertas Run went on to win the RSA Chase in 2008
3.00 Ascot - Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap Hurdle:
Seven of the last nine winners have carried 10st-12lbs or lower
Paul Nicholls is enjoying a 33% strike-rate in February
3.35 Ascot - Betfair Ascot Chase:
Six of the eight favourites have obliged since the race was first run over 2m 5f in 2008
Nicky Henderson has won the race three times in the last six years
Five of the last eight winners had run in that season's King George VI Chase – Silviniaco Conti
Since 2008 four of the five winners of the Betfair Ascot Chase who went on to run at the Cheltenham Festival and finished no worse than second
2.40 Haydock - Betfred Grand National Trial:
Eight of the last ten winners finished in the first three on their previous start
Three of the last 13 winners managed to carry 11-12 to victory
Only two of the last ten favourites have won
Four of the last eight winners had run in the Coral Welsh National that season
