Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ascot, Wetherby and Newmarket on Saturday. View selections below.
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet up to £50, with bet365’s ITV 4/1 Offer
CONEYGREE (3.15) is favoured by the conditions of the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby and can lay down a marker for the rest of his campaign.
All roads will lead to the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March as Coneygree bids to repeat his brilliant 2015 Festival triumph as a novice. Fragility has meant Coneygree’s racecourse appearances have been restricted to just three since his big day at Prestbury Park.
He was last seen running a cracker behind Sizing John and Djakadam in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup and Coneygree receives 6lb from his old rival Cue Card. The ground should be soft enough at Wetherby for him to make a bold bid from the front.
LIL ROCKERFELLER (2.40) was beaten by Silsol in last year’s running of the bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle but is a full stone better off.
Neil King’s six-year-old tackled all the best staying hurdle races last season, posting his best effort in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham when running Nichols Canyon close in a thriller.
ELGIN (3.00) is a typical smart second-season novice holding an outstanding chance in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.
Alan King’s gelding should strip sharper for his recent comeback run at Chepstow when fading into fourth over the last flight. Favourite Jenkins was more than 18 lengths adrift in fourth when Elgin scored at Kempton last winter.
Elgin went on to chase home very smart sorts in Neon Wolf at Haydock and River Wylde at Kempton, and looks booked for a successful season running in the Elite Racing Club colours.
QUITE BY CHANCE (2.25) dotted up in last year’s Byrne Group Chase and Colin Tizzard’s eight-year-old is taken to initiate a double in this valuable early-season handicap.
That victory came on good ground but he handled a much deeper surface at Cheltenham’s big November meeting when running fourth to Frodon in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Quite By Chance is 3lb lower than at Cheltenham and is at his best fresh.
LORD GLITTERS (3.30) produced a devastating late flourish to cut down Gm Hopkins in the £155,000 Balmoral Handicap at Ascot and steps into Listed company at Newmarket.
If the Met Office is to be believed, heavy rain will hit Newmarket early on Saturday morning so Friday’s quick ground will be altered quite significantly. Soft ground would certainly suit Lord Glitters.
Compare horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
Tally Ho
Alan
To compare the odds on all today’s horse racing, click here
