Vintage Clouds can put a last-time fall behind him and land Haydock’s Grand National Trial, the main betting interest on a day otherwise dominated by small-field Cheltenham Festival prep races. Sue Smith’s grey ran a fine race to the third-last in the Peter Marsh last month, his first foray into handicap company, and there are several reasons to hope for a better showing this time.
The two horses he was chasing that day were Bristol De Mai, a Gold Cup contender, and Otago Trail, a subsequent winner. The odds are good that the opposition will be less fearsome here and the jockeys on a few of his rivals will be interested in saving something for the National in April, a race in which Vintage Clouds (3.15) is not entered.
Dry weather is expected to produce a less taxing surface this time, so Vintage Clouds may be able to sustain his effort to the line, even over this extra half-mile. He runs from a 6lb lower mark, having been out of the handicap last time, and 9-1 has a lot of appeal.
Vicente is my long-range tip for the National, so it would be encouraging to see an improved showing from him. Equally, it must be remembered that, for him and others in the race, peak form is supposed to be six weeks away.
Saturday’s TV racing tips
1.50 Ascot It looked very much as though Fletchers Flyer needed his first outing of the season, when he lost four places over the last three fences here last month. If back to the form of his Punchestown success in April, he has the beating of these.
2.05 Haydock Aux Ptits Soins could be dangerous on this return to hurdles but he will be a short price for a horse with questions to answer. The splendidly game Agrapart looks a better option after his Cheltenham success on New Year’s Day.
2.25 Ascot After a slow start to the year, Jonjo O’Neill seems to be faring better this month and this might be the right time to catch his Go Conquer. Narrowly beaten here in November, he bounced back from an early fall to chase home a useful sort at Kempton’s Christmas meeting. Several bits of form suggest he is better than his rating, though he will certainly need to be. O’Faolains Boy is on a great mark if anywhere near his best but we’ve seen his best just once in the past three years.
2.45 Wincanton This ought to be within Yanworth’s compass, especially now he has cheekpieces to help his focus. It is worth respecting his stablemate, Sceau Royal, who was off colour when beaten on his most recent run in November.
3.00 Ascot Having learned to settle, Air Horse One is a horse to follow and could be well treated for this return to handicap company.
3.35 Ascot It’s a fair question whether Cue Card still has the pace for this trip, it being four years since he won this prize. But the ground is expected to be testing and that may help him home in front. Shantou Flyer has plenty to offer, while Taquin Du Seuil can be dangerous.
Saturday tips, by Chris Cook
Ascot
1.15 Topofthegame 1.50 Fletchers Flyer 2.25 Go Conquer 3.00 Air Horse One 3.35 Cue Card 4.10 Joe Farrell 4.45 Fortunello
Haydock
1.30 Don Bersy 2.05 Agrapart 2.40 Mydor (nb) 3.15 Vintage Clouds (nap) 3.50 No Hassle Hoff 4.20 Tanit River 4.55 Wonderful Charm
Kempton
5.45 Boychick 6.15 Spare Parts 6.45 Dream Farr 7.15 Every Chance 7.45 Summer Icon 8.15 Cosmic Ray 8.45 Freddy With A Y 9.15 Jet Setter
Lingfield
1.10 Flight Of Fantasy 1.45 Jeanie’s Place 2.20 Zipedeedodah 2.55 Final 3.30 Dougan 4.05 Midnightly 4.40 Smiley Bagel
Wincanton
1.40 Black Narcissus 2.15 Bishops Court 2.45 Yanworth 3.20 Dadsintrouble 3.55 Pain Au Chocolat 4.30 Denny Kerrell 5.05 Molineaux
O’Faolains Boy is on a great mark if anywhere near his best but we’ve seen his best just once in the past three years.
