The horse racing broadcaster offers up his five selections from this Saturday's racing at Wetherby and Ascot.
Sandwiched between two evenings of Breeders Cup coverage, it is jumping all the way on ITV on Saturday with 10 races including a Grade 1 from Down Royal and a pair of Grade 2’s at Wetherby.
The highlight at Wetherby is the Charlie Hall, which has a fascinating sub plot in that it features the return of Pic D’Orhy – for so long a stalwart of the Paul Nicholls yard but now running for the first time for Dan Skelton. The switch of several high-profile horses away from Nicholls has garnered much attention, especially after Captain Teague beat Tutti Quanti at Chepstow earlier this month, and the stats suggest it is a profitable angle with Skelton switchers from Nicholls being 7/27 (A/E 2.11). Pic D’Orhy was runner up to Djelo last year but during his career has been more of a 2m 5f right handed Ascot horse than a three miler. Further intrigue is added by Nicholls booking Pic D’Orhy’s former regular rider Harry Cobden for Twin Jets, the first ride he has had for the stable since he took the J P McManus job. Cobden would know Pic D’Orhy strengths but also his vulnerabilities and is almost certain to ensure a really good gallop to test his stamina. With Handstands also looking as if 3m might stretch him, it could be worth hoping that former winner THE REAL WHACKER 9/2 (14:55 Wetherby) can stay close enough early to bring his proven stamina into play. Patrick Neville has had an excellent last three months (14/46 A/E 1.98) and that includes The Real Whacker battling on well to win at Perth. Brian Hughes knows him well and if he can sit off the strong gallop whilst being able to stay in touch, he could outstay Pic D’Orhy.
Neville also has a decent chance with TANKING ALONG 4/1 (13:10 Wetherby) who has also contributed two to the Neville total with front running wins at Sedgefield and Perth. Whilst he has risen significantly in the weights, the crossover between winning summer jumpers and the reappearing winter ones will last a little longer this time around because of the ground. He also looks to have the potential to get a soft time on the lead and so hopefully that coupled with his fitness advantage will make him hard to catch. Regular in this race William Cody could be the main danger but places rather more often than he wins.
Even if Dan Skelton suffers a reverse in the Charlie Hall, he has major chances of a double via KATEIRA 11/10 (13:45 Wetherby) who I had earmarked as a long term Cheltenham prospect for a handicap, but her mark won’t be compromised by a repeat victory here. She won the race almost by default last year when Golden Ace did not give her running, and the opposition here are rated significantly inferior. The admirable Ooh Betty should have the run of things but is worse off with La Conquiere on their Ascot running and with the Skelton yard renowned for being target trainers, this is an obvious objective for Kateira that would also not compromise her mark come March.
There is a repeat clash as well in the West Yorkshire Hurdle between TAKE NO CHANCES 5/1 (14:00 Ascot) could make a winning return. He was sent off considerably shorter than in the Johnny Henderson winner Martator and even though Venetia Williams horse loves Ascot, the yard probably have eyes on handicaps at the Berkshire track a little later on in the season when his mark has come back down. The chase course at Ascot on fast ground is quite a sharp test so horses that race handily are often at an advantage as opposed to a relentlessly run Festival handicap, so Vanderpoel also has the correct run style.
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