Today’s ITV4 races
Raz De Maree (2.05) is fancied to go one better than last year and land today’s Welsh Grand National, for which he is generously priced at 16-1. In doing so, he can make Navan’s Gavin Cromwell just the second Irish-based trainer to land the prize, following Notre Pere’s success nine years ago.
Now 13, Raz De Maree is a veteran of many a slog round a muddy field, having twice won the Cork National as well as one renewal of the Munster National. He ran into a top-class rival when bested by Native River in this race a year ago but pulled 15 lengths clear of everything else and is just 1lb higher this time.
Although now a teenager, he showed his wellbeing when second in the latest Cork National and has since been a very respectable second over hurdles at Southwell, a test of stamina that was surely inadequate for him. He is unlikely to be prominent from an early stage today but should be staying on as the others fall away.
Mysteree is a sound favourite, though his odds are probably about right at 8-1. Ask The Weatherman, a prolific points winner, looks leniently treated, while Silsol could get involved.
1.35 Chepstow We Have A Dream is all class but is unproven on anything like this ground since arriving from France, so odds-on does not appeal. Sussex Ranger, a soft-ground winner on the Flat, is making into a smashing hurdler.
1.50 Sandown It was a heavy fall that Overtown Express took at Exeter a fortnight ago but he was travelling strongly at the time and was an impressive winner at Newbury on his previous start.
2.25 Sandown On the assumption that Sussex Ranger will run at Chepstow, Western Ryder seems the pick of this field. This ground will be a lot more testing than Kalashnikov has yet encountered.
2.40 Wincanton This is a lot more winnable than the last two contests in which Antarctica De Thaix has been beaten.
3.00 Sandown Vino Griego has dropped to a very beatable mark, showed some promise last time and comes from an in-form yard.
3.15 Wincanton Twice a point to point winner, Bill And Barn should take well to fences.
3.35 Sandown Our Merlin has rocketed up the weights but the handicapper may not have got him yet, especially with a useful claimer aboard.
3.45 Wincanton Narrowly beaten on his first start since leaving Ireland, Edvardo can get it right this time.
Tips for all Saturday races
Lingfield
12.05 Rusper 12.40 Hasanoanda 1.15 Varsovian 1.45 General Hazard 2.20 Arcanada 2.55 Queen Of Desire 3.30 Miss Minuty
Sandown
12.15 Echo Watt 12.45 Angels Antics 1.20 Never Up 1.50 Overtown Express 2.25 Western Ryder 3.00 Vino Griego 3.35 Our Merlin
Chepstow
12.30 Hilary View 1.00 Socksy 1.35 Sussex Ranger 2.05 Raz De Maree (nap) 2.45 Court Frontier (nb) 3.20 Grey Gold 3.55 Mount Rushmoore
Wincanton
1.05 D’Arcy’s Sound 1.40 Talk Of The South 2.10 Rhaegar 2.40 Antarctica De Thaix 3.15 Bill And Barn 3.45 Edvardo
Kempton
5.45 Short Head 6.15 Promising 6.45 American Patrol 7.15 Physical Power 7.45 Dance Teacher 8.15 Sunblazer 8.45 Choice Encounter 9.15 The Gay Cavalier
