Good evening/morning everyone, I hope we are all ready for what promises to be a huge weekend of racing in England and Ireland. Saturday will see the return of Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen at Ascot as well as one of his main rivals in The New One who runs at Haydock. We are also treated to Cue Card, Dynaste and Silviniaco Conti who all do battle in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and were the first three in the race last year. If that wasn't enough for you then it is more than likely that Vautour will make his chasing debut on Sunday and is prominent in the Arkle and JLT betting markets.
As always @OnTheOtherHoof have a preview video prepared for you as we cover all of the Channel 4 action from Ascot and Haydock. Joining me on the panel are @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell. You can watch the show whenever you like via the Youtube link below, enjoy!
Betfair Chase Day Preview
Now onto the all important selections!
12:10 Haydock - Lightening Rod
We start the day with Lightening Rod who made an absolute mockery of his handicap mark last time out at Wetherby, for that performance he has been raised nine pounds. In truth he may be lucky to only be raised that much as he couldn't have won much easier and the form of that race has been boosted by a few horses in behind him.
Today will see him run off a mark of 134 which is level with his highest ever mark, on those occasions he found it too much but he comes here in the form of his life. Despite being a nine year old he seems to have refound his best form and may have even improved on it, but the latter won't be known until today. The only slight negative surround him is that Harry Bannister who regularly teams up with him can only claim 5 pounds instead of the 7 pounds he took off last time out. Even with that in mind he could just be too good for his rivals this afternoon on ground that may suit him more than others. (10/3)
1:15 Haydock - On Tour
Evan Williams has been knocking on the door of the big time for some time now, but with the likes of Buywise and On Tour in his yard he could just make that transition very soon. Of course On Tour has a lot of improving left to do as he is only rated 131, but he has a big frame to fill out and looks all over a chaser.
Saying that, he had no problems when defying an opening handicap mark of 122 at Stratford in good style, but today is a much tougher assignment. Despite taking on a better class of rival this afternoon he by no means looks out of place and Haydock will play to his strengths more than Stratford. He travelled well that day and turning for home it was just a matter of time before Paul Moloney sent him to the front. Today will see On Tour tackle a trip further than he has ever seen, albeit only a furlong further but Haydock will have more emphasis on stamina than Stratford or Newton Abbot. Stamina should never be an issue for him though as he is a half brother to the useful Irish stayer Galant Ferns who has won in excess of 3 miles. On Tour to take another huge step forward today for Evan Williams. (5/1)
2:50 Huntingdon - Amberjam
A bit of a change of speed now with a visit to Huntingdon for a handicap over 3 miles and 2 furlongs, which features a horse from a familiar yard if you follow OnTheOtherHoof. Martin Smith saddles Amberjam who recently made a promising switch to to handicaps when chasing home American Life at Fontwell over a furlong further than today's trip. The winner has since won again at Exeter which gives the form a stronger look and makes the two pound drop in the handicap all the more baffling, saying that Amberjam was beaten by 16 lengths.
It is apparent that he 'bumped into one' that day and this race looks decidedly weaker on ground that is slightly faster than Fontwell. Another positive is the jockey booking of Leighton Aspell who looks the standout jockey alongside Josh Moore in this field, with the other 6 ridden by claimers. A mark of 88 still looks more than workable for the unexposed Amberjam, and he can continue his improvement in the National Hunt sphere today. (5/1)
3:00 Haydock - Cue Card
Stepping up in class once more now with the Betfair Chase where the first three from last year are ready to do battle once more. Cue Card came out on top on that occasion and I fully expect the same result this time around with Daryl Jacob doing the steering. That was the peak of his 2013/14 campaign as he tasted defeat in the King George at the hands of Silviniaco Conti, before an injury prematurely ended his season.
Over the summer he was given a breathing operation, which is something that may have been bothering him with an eye on his effort in the King George when stopping quickly. It didn't help him when he suffered defeat on his reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup, however two miles looks far too short for him nowadays and a staying trip is much more up his street. The only thing Cue Card has to prove tomorrow is if he is the same horse after his injury last season, of course the break could have an opposite effect and he may be better than ever. But we shall leave that to his performance on the course this afternoon as we side with him to win back to back Betfair Chases. (4/1)
3:15 Ascot - Bellenos
Dan Skelton has started this season in fine form and he looks to carry that on with Bellenos this afternoon. He recently made an encouraging reappearance over course and distance when finishing fourth behind the well handicapped Ulck Du Lin. Despite not winning he did his usual party trick of travelling strongly and jumping superbly, however on the turn for home his fitness gave out and a tired mistake at the last cost him third place.
Skelton's French recruit is still only a six year old and could still have more improvement to come off what may still be a lenient mark. It only took him two starts before he was successful on English soil which came over course and distance off a lowly mark of 122, but has since proved higher marks are well within his capabilities. His season ended with a victory at Stratford which is a course that doesn't play to his strengths at all, so in truth he did well to win off a mark of 139, which is also today's mark on a much more conventional course. Bellenos to end our day on a high for Dan and Harry Skelton. (9/2)
NAP - Amberjam
Nb - Cue Card
Good luck today everyone and as always, happy punting!!
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