Saturdays Racing News

15th February 2019

Good Evening ,

Race goers at Ascot on Saturday will benefit from the abandonment of the Newbury meeting last weekend due to the outbreak of equine flu. On reflection maybe the BHA did overreact but the measures put in place could have prevented an epidemic. Hopefully, the matter has been put to bed and the sport can focus on some big races and key trials for the Cheltenham Festival. In addition to the Grade 1 Ascot Chase the course will now stage the Denman Chase and Betfair Hurdle lost at Newbury in a bumper nine race card. There is also a Grand National Trial at Haydock.

The weights for the most famous steeplechase in the world were announced on Tuesday. Bristol De Mai is the top weight but has been allocated five pounds less than his official rating. The weights have been framed to give the better horses a chance and by contracting the weights more horses will be running of their true mark. Gordon Elliott has made 15 entries and 10 of those are in the top 40 in the weights so are guaranteed a run. If declared Bristol de Mai could produce one of the best weight carrying runs in the history of the National.

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The Betfair Hurdle has a history of novices running well and Al Dancer could maintain that trend. The horse is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies who has won the race twice in the last five years. His other winners had a similar profile to Al Dancer who is a progressive horse. Another former winner is My Tent Or Yours who prevailed as a novice and subsequently finished second in three Champion Hurdles. Ballyandy won the Betfair Hurdle for Twiston-Davies and his again in the field. He could be placed but a win bet on Al Dancer is preferred.

Kalashnikov won the race last season and then finished second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The horse was sent novice chasing this season and is a leading contender for the Arkle Chase. The Betfair Hurdle may be a handicap but the weights range make it akin to a conditions race. Mont des Avalors has the benefit of a five pounds jockey’s allowance. It’s a balance between carrying less weight and having an inexperienced rider but the horse has the form to get in the mix. Any bet should be each way because Al Dancer ticks all the boxes.

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Native River has won the Denman Chase in the last two years and was scheduled to run in it again at Newbury. The horse won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March and is being targeted at the race this year. The rearranged race could be too close to Cheltenham or the trainer feels his horse is not suited to Ascot. It’s unclear whether Native River will run before the Festival but his absence gives Clan des Obeaux a chance to win another Grade 1 race. The horse won the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day and looks a rock solid favourite for the Denman Chase.

The Ascot Chase was always in the calendar for this Saturday. It comes more than three weeks before the Festival so can be a prep race for chases at the jumps meeting that matters most. Waiting Patiently is an apt name because connections have waited patiently for ground that suits the horse. He was going well in the King George but was brought down when Bristol de Mai fell on the first circuit. Waiting Patiently is the second favourite behind Min for the Ryanair Chase at the Festival but can enhance his prospects by winning the Ascot Chase.

Best Wishes,

BetFan