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It wasn’t so much just the victory but it was the manner of the victory that really impressed as Wishfull Thinking made a massive jump at the end and ran on so strongly. There is much to like about his ability and it’s an exciting prospect that he might be able to genuinely challenge the top order of chasing contenders here over the middle distances.
He is also set to get regular jockey Richard Johnson in the irons for this one.
Nicky Henderson’s Rajdhani Express boasts a solid rating and could factor here as part of an each-way package if he’s priced right. Owned by Sam Waley-Cohen...
There is a stellar slate of jumps racing action about to kick off this weekend at both Ascot and Haydock Park as some of the most interesting early-season races are set to be run.
There is plenty to like about these contests and some of them have been particularly interesting in the ante post markets since they launched - the Betfair Chase (in particular) has been a very big contest and always serves as one of the key early season statements for horses whose connections want to make a run at the larger prizes once we get down towards festival time in the spring...
His effort this season to kick things off was a bit of a forgettable one - finishing well-beaten eight lengths off the pace at Wetherby in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase. Menorah got the better of him that day with a great performance despite Silviniaco Conti being priced as the even money favourite.
Taquin Du Seuil is one of those horses whose price ranges anywhere between 7/1 to 12/1 depending on whom you’re wagering with. The 12/1 listing would definitely make him an each-way squeak for any punter who can see beyond the leading trio of contenders in...
In fact, he will definitely need to be sharper if he’s going to make any impression against the robust group of challengers that we have ready to roll in two weeks for the big race at Haydock Park.
The honours at the end of last season really seemed to go towards Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti as each of them notched a victory at festival time - winning at Cheltenham and Aintree, respectively. One has to wonder what might have been had Cue Card been fit enough for both of those races as he had gotten the better of them in previous efforts and wouldn’t have been out of nick going over either surface on the day....
The journey to the biggest race at the Cheltenham Festival kicks off in earnest on the 22nd of November as the most significant chasers in the UK and Ireland converge on Haydock Park to contest the latest iteration of the Betfair Chase. This 3m1f contest is always viewed as the early season kingmaker for horses who are housing serious Cheltenham Gold Cup aspirations and you can count on them pushing it all the way to make that statement at this young time in the National Hunt calendar.
Set to challenge these two for supremacy is the up-and-coming hurdler Little King Robin, who has steadily worked his way up the handicap division in Ireland and now comes into this respectable Grade 1 fixture as the third place favourite trading at a competitive 10/1 price tag right now.
He’s rattled off about four victories in a row - the last of which was a handicap Grade 2 contest at Down Royal. He’s been steadily campaigned coming into this, having run well throughout the summer, even having a few runs on the flat, and then pushing forward with...
While most eyes are focused on the ante post market for the upcoming Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase, the weekend’s big Grade 1 contest is actually the Morgiana Hurdle which is happening at Punchestown at 2:15 on Saturday. You’ll find a wide selection of some of the most accomplished hurdlers from across the various English and Irish circuits set to battle it out for an early season statement.
It looks to be nearly dead-even between the two betting favourites as Hurricane Fly is getting just the slimmest of edges in the early wagering after most...
Hugh Bowman will get the ride on Terravista and he was bested by Lankan Rupee last out at Moonee Valley. The odds take a pretty big jump when you get up to his level and he’s trading at a 12/1 price which might make him a bit of an each-way squeak for some. He’s only got a Group 2 and a few Group 3’s to his credit so will obviously need to find more to get the victory here.
Buffering got the better of Lankan Rupee during his second seasonal prep but was beaten by him the last time out after he came good after two unimpressive efforts. He...
Look for Slade Power at 9/2 here - it will be interesting to see where his odds go during the build-up to the race. That is even more true if he makes a really nice pre-race appearance on his Aussie debut.
Top Australian rider Chad Schofield has the ride on the other 9/2 second-choice in Lankan Rupee who has only finished out side of the top two in a single race - his first - when he took a shot at the Coolmore Stud Stakes on his debut. Not many really make their first appearance in a Group 1 but this horse has defied convention for some time and has put together a really nice volume of work with a number of Group 1...
The best flat race happening on the planet on Saturday is likely kicking off very early in the morning for UK-based punters as the Darley Classic happens at Flemington with a very established group of runners set to tackle the 6f sprint in hopes of securing a big money prize payout.
The betting favourite heading into the race is Chautaqua, who has been looking really good in his last few races - having come off a four month freshening to win two in a row at Flemington - both by impressive margins. He was sent off as the favourite each time and he looks likely...
