Tom Stanley is on his travels this week, so stand-in Daniel Hussey summaries the Racing Podcast Ascot and Haydock tips…
Big boots to fill this week in Tom’s absence but I had a fun show working with Donn McCleen, Adele Mulrennan and Sam Turner. In what is a tough day’s racing, the team has hopefully managed to find a couple of winners. We start with Haydock.
Broad agreement among the team for the first ITV live race on Saturday. Bravesmansgame is expected to win but is too short for a bet, Donn did mention Itchy Feet and feels he could be one to keep an eye on if he puts together a good round of jumping.
The Chanelle Pharma Chase sees six horses go to post, with many of them having more questions than answers surrounding their recent performances. Adele and Sam like Master Tommytucker (called Master Tommyheadbutter in some quarters!) if he can put together his jumping. Donn fancies Bennys King almost as a “default” selection given the other five horses. Exciting race.
Our second live race at Haydock sees the Stayers Handicap Hurdle, with Donn really liking Stoney Mountain win and place. Adele and Sam both like Brinkley at a big price.
I really like Buzz for the Stayers Hurdle and we had a great discussion on the podcast about looking at potential vs proven form, given Sharjah (put up by our very own Steve Jones) beating Echoes in Rain at Punchestown last weekend. However, despite his Cheltenham Festival potential later in the season, this trip could prove inadequate for him and in my opinion, he can be left alone at those prices. That was the view of Donn who put up Song For Someone up in trip from last season, with Adele going for the mare Molly Olly Wishes. Sam is also a big fan of Buzz and fancies him here, although he’s having a saver on Donn’s selection.
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What a fascinating race this is, and with A Plus Tard a far better horse left-handed than right, he goes here on his seasonal reappearance. Donn is a massive fan of the horse but does concede that he could be slightly undercooked here. That’s Sam angle into the race, which is why he has backed Bristol De Mai and Next Destination, “dutching the pair”. After Waiting Patiently’s stable change, Adele really likes him going fresh and fancies him here. I like Sam’s second pick here.
Adele likes current favourite Before Midnight here, while Sam is putting up Sky Pirate – although slightly concerned that he may just be a Cheltenham horse. Donn’s Best Bet of the day comes here with Monsieur Lecoq.
Broad agreement in the final ITV live race among the team, but this time it’s to do with how tricky the race is rather than consensus on a selection. Three nominal picks from Donn, Adele and Sam in what is not a ‘get out’ final race.
For me, I really like the form of last year’s National Hunt Chase, with Next Destination an impressive runner-up to Galvin. With this race the target since, expect Paul Nicholls to have the former Willie Mullins trained horse primed for this race. Meanwhile, Sam has gone outside the seven live races for his Best Bet, Adele likes the mare in the 14:40 and Donn has put up Monsieur Lecoq.
Best of luck all!
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