Saturday’s ITV races
Few things are more calculated to irritate the proud jump-racing folk of Lambourn than their most cherished local race being won by a raider from Newmarket but that could be the outcome of today’s Ladbrokes Trophy, still better known by its old name, the Hennessy. Lucy Wadham is the trainer who could cause a 33-1 upset with Potters Legend (3.00), a likeable young chaser at the foot of the weights.
Placed in a Grade One as a hurdler, he looks quite generously treated in view of the ability he showed as a novice chaser last season, perhaps because he didn’t often get his head in front. A higher rating could certainly be justified on his strong-finishing fourth in the Festival’s Kim Muir, when he was held up and got hampered at halfway.
Blinkers are fitted here, presumably to help him keep a respectable position through the first two miles. The expected strong pace will help and he may be staying on dourly up the home straight as others wilt. It’s discouraging to see Leighton Aspell taking rides at Doncaster instead but Brian Hughes is a very able substitute and Potters Legend looks overpriced.
Singlefarmpayment is a more likely winner but the juice is being squeezed out of his odds. He ran a mighty race when second at the Festival, needed his reappearance and will surely go well.
American looks high in the weights for what he has achieved, while Total Recall was not entirely convincing with his jumping at Limerick and will find this tougher. Cogry and Missed Approach are interesting at 20-1 and 33-1 respectively.
1.50 Newbury Few handicap hurdles work out as well as the Ascot one in which Air Horse One was fourth last month, the first, second and fifth all scoring since. Harry Fry’s grey will be sharper for that and can relish this extra distance.
2.10 Newcastle This may look a gimme for Buveur D’Air but there is nothing tempting about odds of 1-4 when a horse has his first race for eight months and recent Fighting Fifths have not been brilliant for favourites, with just two winning in the past eight years. Irving is a fair alternative at 5-1, having won this twice and having had a wind op over the summer. First time out is the right time to catch this fragile beast.
2.25 Newbury Third in that hot Ascot race in which Air Horse One was fourth, High Bridge is easy to like in what is only his second handicap. Poppy Kay would have been tempting if her stable were getting more winners.
3.20 Newcastle Fitter for his reappearance in a renewal of the Badger Ales, Yala Enki may test them all from the front here, just as he did when he won the Tommy Whittle on his second start of last season. Dedigout is interesting on his first run for Micky Hammond but might be best watched this time.
3.35 Newbury After he had travelled like the winner, Duke Of Navan’s effort gave out at Aintree last month. It was only his second outing for more than two years, so perhaps he has more to give, with Davy Russell an eye-catching booking.
Tips for all Saturday’s races
Newcastle 11.55 Look My Way 12.30 Witness 1.05 Hear No Evil 1.40 Acdc 2.10 Irving 2.45 McGowan’s Pass 3.20 Yala Enki
Doncaster 12.05 Kalashnikov 12.40 Redemption Song 1.15 William Of Orange 1.45 Deauville Dancer 2.20 General Mahler 2.55 Barlow 3.30 Skyline
Newbury 12.10 Cap Soleil 12.45 Fountains Windfall 1.20 Gold Present (nb) 1.50 Air Horse One 2.25 High Bridge 3.00 Potters Legend (nap) 3.35 Duke Of Navan
Bangor 12.25 Tommy Silver 1.00 Whitsundays 1.35 Enjoy Responsibly 2.05 Whiskey In The Jar 2.40 Marten 3.15 Ballybrowneybridge 3.45 Legal Eyes
Wolverhampton 5.45 It’s A Wish 6.45 Swiss Knight 7.45 Fayez 8.15 Ice Canyon 8.45 Mixboy 9.15 King Kevin
