Today’s best bet, by Chris Cook
I try not to gush about a raceday but Saturday’s Champions Day action looks very strong indeed in light of a press release punted out by Great British Racing last night. GBR points out that the main five races on Saturday all have at least five Group One winners entered up, while the main two contests, the Champion Stakes and the QEII, have seven apiece.
Of course they won’t all show and the weather could yet mess things up for everyone but let’s keep our fingers crossed, eh? I’d especially like to see good old Highland Reel, winner of a King George and a Prince of Wales at the course, even if he is unlikely to get his ground.
I’ll have to keep it short and snappy this morning, as I’m off to go and look at some of these potential runners.
Katabatika (8.45) is the nap, despite odds of even-money for quite a big-field handicap at Kempton tonight. Hughie Morrison’s filly bolted up on her debut over course and distance last week and a penalty really shouldn’t get in her way.
At Huntingdon, Audacious Plan (4.50) can build on a promising first run for Dr Richard Newland at Uttoxeter nine days ago. He seemed to lose his way and crashed down the ratings while at Rebecca Curtis’s but will be nicely treated if his new trainer has got him going in the right direction. His recent run was over fences but he’s back over hurdles here, on an even lower mark. He’s 13-8.
I reckon Royale Champ (3.40) might be overpriced at 25-1 for the mares’ handicap hurdle at Worcester. She was stepped up too far in distance for her recent first run for Seamus Mullins, which was also her handicap debut, but went well for a long way. A first-time tongue tie could help. Mullins got her brother to win at 66-1 in a novice contest in December.
Tips for all Tuesday races
Leicester
2.00 Bold Reason 2.30 Oakley Pride 3.00 Hyde Park 3.30 Vibrant Chords 4.00 Prime Minister 4.30 Puramente 5.00 Hajaam 5.30 Entangling
Worcester
2.10 Above Board 2.40 Bon Chic 3.10 Sword Of Fate 3.40 Royale Champ 4.10 Sky Pirate 4.40 Henllan Harri 5.10 Plantagenet
Huntingdon
2.20 Inn The Bull 2.50 Ballypoint 3.20 Desiremoi D’Authie 3.50 Ckalco Des Loges 4.20 Wicked Willy 4.50 Audacious Plan (nb) 5.20 Frozen Flame
Kempton
5.15 Atlanta Belle 5.45 Alsvinder 6.15 Spring Cosmos 6.45 Straight Ash 7.15 Beyond Recall 7.45 Innstigator 8.15 Whaleweigh Station 8.45 Katabatika (nap)
