Former Talksport man Charlie McCann casts his eye over Saturday’s cards at Ascot and Haydock. View Selections below
Weather permitting there is a cracking card from Ascot tomorrow with the Ladbroke the feature race certainly from a betting perspective. The market is headed by the novice Prospect Wells (3.35) who connections believe could be very well-handicapped but does he have the necessary experience for the hurly burly of such a competitive event?
I suggest yes and take heart from the fact that his maiden hurdle win came in a 16-runner field at Chepstow where he overcame trouble in running to run out a ready winner. A son of Sadler’s Wells like most of his sires progeny he handles soft ground well enough although if the ground came up very testing that would be a concern.
The selection ran all over All The Aces who was in receipt of 5lbs last time at Newbury last time and he lost little in defeat behind leading Irish novice Steps To Freedom on his penultimate start. At the time of writing he is 7/2 with Victor Chandler and there will be many who shy away from such a short price but he is likely to drift on course and he must go close.
All The Aces is trained by Nicky Henderson and they are represented by Gibb River who has also attracted support this week. His best form on the level was on a decent surface and the ground may have gone against him. A bigger danger may be Act Of Kalanisi lurking near the foot of the weights; a winner over 2m 4f here on soft ground back in February connections have leading conditional Brendan Powell taking 7lb off his back and he can run into a place at 16/1. Note we are offering ¼ odds all races at Ascot later today.
Haydock must survive a precautionary inspection at 8am but, if they get the green light, Cannington Brook (2.45) is surely better than his current handicap mark of 128 and I am prepared to give the Colin Tizzard runner one last chance in the Tommy Whittle Chase. Likely favourite Wymott will love the forecast heavy ground and is a threat to all but if the selection’s jumping holds up there must be a race for him off his current mark. Tom O’Brien takes over from Joe Tizzard for the first time and the hope is they hit it off first time.
Mister Stickler (1.40) is entitled to come on for his reappearance at Aintree and has winning form on soft ground. Charlie Huxley takes off a valuable 3lbs and he can give inform trainer Alan King another winner; Woody Waller represents the danger.
Joe Tizzard misses the ride on Cannington Brook to ride Hell’s Bay (1.55) at Ascot and I suggest we take the hint; the selection has been called a few rude names in the past but has bags of ability and although he would prefer better ground he is taken to score on his belated reappearance.
Tara Royale (1.25) has been off the track for nearly 400 days but Donald McCain is likely to have him ready to do himself justice on his return; Renard has won his last three and looks the one to beat but he is up another 8lbs since his last win and the handicapper might just have caught up with him.
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Be lucky
Charlie
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