Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Wetherby, Ascot, Down Royal and Newmarket on Saturday. View selections below.
SILVINIACO CONTI (3.15) can confirm his liking for a flat, galloping track by landing his second bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. Paul Nicholls’ eight-year-old ran away with the 2012 renewal but missed last year’s running to head straight to Haydock for the Betfair Chase. The Nicholls yard hasn’t hit the ground running this season, but Silviniaco Conti will have benefited from a racecourse gallop at Chepstow last weekend. Taquin Du Seuil will have his Cheltenham Gold Cup pretensions put under serious examination, while The Giant Bolster reserves his best for Prestbury Park later in the season. Menorah might be the one to outrun his price but Silviniaco Conti has the race at his mercy.
The other big Graded chase, the Jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, can fall to BOSTON BOB (2.30). Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have much to look forward to again this season and Boston Bob goes particularly well fresh, having scored first time out for the past three years. After landing the Betfred Melling Chase at Aintree, Boston Bob earned a well deserved summer holiday by beating First Lieutenant in the Punchestown Gold Cup and Mullins will have him straight enough for his comeback run.
There is some cracking jumping action at Ascot where COCKTAILS AT DAWN (1.45) is fancied to make a winning chasing debut. Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old hacked up at Kempton in April and seems more at home going right-handed.
The William Hill Handicap Hurdle is a more competitive affair but MOUNTAIN KINGDOM (3.00) should go close for in-form Philip Hobbs. A three-time winner last winter, including over course and distance, Mountain Kingdom was a bit too fresh on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham, tugging his way to the front before running out of steam up the hill. Mountain Kingdom wasn’t beaten far by Roman Flight in fourth and has a nice racing weight of 10st 8lb.
At Newmarket, GINGER JACK (2.00) can step up on his initial run for new trainer Keith Dalgleish when finishing runner-up to Open Eagle in a hot York handicap. That was Ginger Jack’s first outing in 84 days and he should strip sharper.
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