HORSE RACING: Leading pundit Charlie McCann gave betrescue users another winner last weekend. This week the former Talksport man takes a look at Saturday’s jump meetings.
A wonderful weekend of racing with three Grade 1 contests and a host of Cheltenham clues to be gleamed.
Paul Nicholls saddles fancied runners in all three contests on both sides of the Irish Sea with last year’s Champion Hurdle runner up Celestial Halo locking horns with Solwhit in the Irish equivalent on Sunday.
Twist Magic was visually very impressive at Sandown in the Tingle Creek and a similar performance will make him very difficult to beat in the 2.40 at Ascot, but consistency has never been a strong suit and he disappointed in the corresponding race a couple of years ago.
Philip Hobbs had a winner at Taunton on Thursday and the hope is that Volador can land the spoils in the 2m 6f handicap at Wincanton on Saturday afternoon at 2.30.
This Bumper winner has been given a mark of 119 for his handicap debut and he looked as if he would appreciate a step up in trip when finishing in the frame on both starts over hurdles over slightly shorter.
Gary Moore thinks the world of Vino Griego but he and Henderson’s Zazamix ought to make the market for another Nicholls’ inmate Recif De Thaix (4.10 Wincanton) who reverts to timber having crashed out in a valuable Chase at Taunton last time.
Champion Hurdler Punjabi ought to land the odds in the trial for the 2010 renewal at 2.55 at Haydock whilst Diamond Harry makes his eagerly awaited Chase debut on the same card at 2.20.
Cloudy Lane won the Peter Marsh Chase off a 1lb lower mark last year and he made an eyecatching reappearance at Kelso behind subsequent Grade 1 runner up Money Trix.
He must give weight to all but Grand National winner Mon Mome and there look a number of progressive sorts lurking at the foot of the weights.
Bet with Stan James and claim a £25 free bet
