What an action-packed day of horseracing we have in store. First, a quick look at yesterdays events. At Wetherby, Midnight River didn’t win this return off a long break, but he did enough for me to suggest that he will come on a lot for the run, and he’s worth making a note of for next-time-out (NTO). I don’t know what he’s doing, but Jonjo O’Neill bringing in his son “AJ” as co-trainer has revitalised the operation at Jackdaws Castle Stables; and he sent out another winner in Genois who looked a different horse winning this Class 1 at Wetherby.
At Down Royal, Gordon Elliott duly started the day well with the odds-on The Yellow Clay winning his novice hurdle easily. Later in the afternoon, he sent out Brighterdaysahead to win in some style, she looks like being a top-class mare and should end-up rated about 155+. The Mullins trained Daddy Long Legs was disappointing, and perhaps his win last-time-out (LTO) was overrated.
The feature race of the day if the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and, on the face of it, Bravemansgame looks well-in - but I think he’s beatable today, and the one that can do it is CONFLATED sent over from Ireland by Gordon Elliott. There’s 7/2 available in what looks a 2-horse race, and in my opinion there’s not much between these two and I’d have then both at 7/4 joint-favs - so at 7/2 Conflated is the value.
At Ascot, the Class 1 2-mile chase handicap at 2:05pm looks very competitive. As such, I’m going out on a limb with the 5yo MADARA as he went off the 11/2 fav in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (which suggests he’s well handicapped), and this smaller field of 10 should suit him better. There’s plenty of 8/1 and an eachway wager (5th odds a place 1,2,3) is the way to go.
The 3-mile Sodexo handicap chase at 3:45pm looks a cracker. I’m happy to oppose the fav Chianti Classico in this race, but what with? I’m not sure Amirite sent over from Ireland by Henry de Bromhead is the one to win this. The odds are not great, but HIGHSTAKESPLAYER could be the one as he goes well fresh, and a small win wager at 5/1 looks the way to go.
Selections today:
Wetherby 2:58pm CONFLATED - £5 win at 7/2
Ascot 2:05pm MADARA - £5 eachway at 8/1
Ascot 3:45pm HIGHSTAKEPLAYER - £5 win at 5/1
