Graded Jumps Preview for Saturday

It looks as though we’ll have full cards of first-rate jumps action this weekend in the UK and Ireland. A number of interesting graded contests are set to unfold and we’ll be taking a glimpse at them here in an effort to get a handle on who’s looking set for the score.

You can expect a number of these to be included in the Scoop6, and we will be featuring a Scoop6 preview tomorrow once the card is finalized.

Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle- Grade 1, Chepstow

A group of up and comers set to go 2m110y here at Chepstow and the race looks to be setting up well for two Paul Nicholls-trained contenders. SAM WINNER has been more than living up to his name this season having taken two on the bounce beneath Noel Fehily. Clearly being prepped for a tip at the Festival, both runs have come off the Cheltenham surface but Chepstow should still be well within the four year-old bay’s comfort zone. Talented chestnut Dolatulo looks set for a slice of this one and he’ll be looking to improve after a second place in his last race when he ran well for most of it but blundered twice in the late stages. Winner gets a clear edge but watch out for Dolatulo and Houblon Des Obeaux to come on late.

Coral Welsh National- Grade 3, Chepstow

We’ve covered the Welsh National quite heavily, a fact exacerbated by its rescheduling, but betting against the favourite looks to be the best course of action at the moment. Synchronised has not been finding the wire as well as you’d like and a 5/1 price is just too short. Dream Alliance is a similar story though he’s struggling just to finish a race these days and is very overlaid at 14/1. WATAMU BAY attracts some deserved attention at 12/1 and he’s boasting quality form and a decent seasonal debut at Chepstow and he will be able to exploit the additional distance here. Master Overseer remains a decent each-way shout at 25/1.

Tolworth Hurdle- Grade 1, Sandown

MEGASTAR gets the nod here in this tricky Grade 1 field for novices. This contender captured the Champion Bumper at last year’s festival and went on to run 12 on the introductory circuit. You’re looking at a decent price here as the step up in class means plenty of opportunity for a horse we clearly haven’t seen the bottom of yet.

Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle- Grade 3, Punchestown

Fresh off the maiden break, MISTER CARTER looks set to capture a debut step up to graded level. He has run at a much higher level than the others from a ratings standpoint and, though there are plenty coming into the race with decent form, his races have come against slightly more accomplished contenders. He has shown plenty before and was able to recover nicely from an error last time. You just think there’s an extra dimension here with this one.