Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday. View selections below.
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GOLD PRESENT (3.00) beat Frodon in last year’s Garrard Silver Cup at Ascot and a repeat performance is on the cards, despite a 5lb rise. Nicky Henderson’s gelding made a very pleasing comeback when running third to Politologue over a shorter trip here last month and although heavy ground would be a concern, he is the one to beat. Jammin Masters has ground conditions in his favour and his second to subsequent Cheltenham scorer Count Meribel at Carlisle is very solid. This ex-pointer has bags of scope for improvement and rates a threat.
MR ANTOLINI (3.35) is interesting in a wide-open Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle. He was in receipt of plenty of weight when edging out classy Call Me Lord in last season’s Unibet Imperial Cup at Sandown, but it was still a brave effort on very deep ground. Mr Antolini’s seasonal debut at Haydock was another solid effort when beaten by Black Mischief in a driving finish.
DANSE IDOL (1.00) did the job very professionally when introduced to hurdles at Wincanton and Paul Nicholls has wasted little time stepping her up to Listed mares’ company at Haydock. The ground was good at Wincanton but she ran very well in the soft at Punchestown in January when a narrow second to subsequent Champion Bumper winner Relegate. Close up in third was Indefatigable, a winner for Paul Webber lat time out and clearly a threat.
CHTI BALKO (2.05) thrives at Haydock and only the extended run-in caught him out four weeks ago. He was booted for home over two out and was clear jumping the last before yielding in the final 50 yards. Similar tactics are likely to be employed and he will need to be at the top of his game conceding weight to useful Ballymoy, sure to benefit from this longer distance.
KIMBERLITE CANDY (2.40) looked a young chaser going places for JP McManus when ploughing through the mud to score at Ayr in mid-November and the six-year-old should go well in the Smarkets Tommy Whittle Chase. A 5lb rise doesn’t look insurmountable.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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