Can’t Catch Derry

Haydock & Ascot selections Saturday 23rd November

One of the best weekends of the jumping year to enjoy today with Grade 1 action in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, some high quality action throughout the card at Ascot and the rain has come in time to provide a cracking day at Punchestown. Whilst there is plenty to recommend the graded racing on offer, there are enough competitive handicaps to have a go at from a punting perspective. Matata was a winner for us on Sunday at Cheltenham (advised 13/8) whilst Be Aware was second for the each-way bet in the Greatwood (SP 17/2).

Ascot 2.05: Inis Oirr

Is is a long way down from Central Scotland to Ascot and hopefully the journey pays off for the Lucinda Russell team with INIS OIRR in the inaugural running of the Berkshire National.

This horse was a spectacular winner of the Edinburgh version at Musselburgh in February winning by 21l off a mark of 119. He is a horse that needs to go right-handed and it was no surprise he came to grief in the Scottish National at Ayr having jumped continually to his right throughout.

He has put in two solid efforts over 3m this autumn, but looking slightly in need of the outings on both occasions, getting run out of things two out at Carlisle last time having made most. He has been dropped 3lbs for those two races to 130 now, and with Alan Doyle taking off 5lbs, he is only 6lbs higher than for that Musselburgh win. Back at a marathon distance and with fitness assured he could take some pegging back.

Haydock 2.30: Catch Him Derry & Patriotik

It looks best to concentrate on those at the bottom end of the handicap, especially as the incessant rain at Haydock is going to turn conditions into the traditional winter slog at the track.

With the defection of Doyen Quest, jockey Harry Skelton has switched to CATCH HIM DERRY and this 6yo still could have plenty in hand of the assessor. Expertly handicapped by his trainer by running him over 2m, this horse has improved in leaps and bounds for a step up in distance. He won first time in a handicap over this 3m trip at Southwell, but since racing on deep ground has looked a different horse again.

Therefore the continual rain on Merseyside is very much in this horse’s favour. Although beaten by stablemate Gwennie May Boy at Bangor (he is 2lbs better off today and has the benefit of a recent outing), he made short work of a decent field at Ayr in the spring and won with any amount in hand in a strong contest at Newton Abbot last time on heavy going. A 7lbs rise looks fair and he still has a nice racing weight of 10-9.

Trainer Evan Williams has endured a quiet time of late, but a couple of strong performances from the yard at Chepstow enhances the claims of PATRIOTIK who was a massive eyecatcher in the Silver Trophy at that Welsh track last month. Dropped right out that day, he carved his way through the field to fifth by the end without threatening. That will have put him spot on for today and he has even been dropped a pound.

He is totally unexposed, especially at 3m. He won a heavy ground novice at Ffos Las in the spring over 2m4f and was staying on strongly over 2m6f at the same track in May on much quicker going. He shapes like a 3m slog will be right up his street and receiving weight all round will be an advantage in today’s conditions.

Ascot 3.20: Sans Bruit & Kotmask

It is clear that the Paul Nicholls string are generally needing their first run of the season and for that reason I think SANS BRUIT will be the one to beat having run respectably in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his return. Racing keenly that day he couldn’t quite see things out up the steep hill, but will no doubt have come on for that race.

This bold jumping pacesetter ought to be able to maintain a strong gallop for longer today and I expect Harry Cobden to be positive on the 6yo with that fitness boost behind him. Chief market rival Martator is progressive, but a very small horse who could struggle to defy top weight. Sand Bruit was a mightily impressive winner of the Red Rum at Aintree for us last season and should have more to offer from 139 this term.

As this race is likely to be pretty fast and furious I also like the each-way chances of KOTMASK. He is a horse for whom 2m4f is likely to be an optimum in time, but he put in an encouraging reappearance over this course and distance three weeks ago behind Martator. 5lbs better off today, he only has 2.5l to find on that rival here.

His jumping was very novicey last season, but he jumped soundly here last time and as he gains in experience hopefully his past jumping mistakes will be behind him. Any rain that falls before race time will help as it will enhance his proven stamina. He was quick enough to win over 2m at Sandown last season but then won over 2m3f at Plumpton.

Haydock 3.40: Fontaine Collonges & Credo

Two horses with decent records in this race are fancied for the finale.

FONTAINE COLLONGES won this race in 2022 and will have no issues with the softening ground. This mare has an excellent record first time out overall reading 2113411 – that is ignoring the fact she unseated at the first last season, before going on to win the Rowland Meyrick in Wetherby two weeks later in what was effectively her first start.

She does have a career high mark to defy today, but it is good to see Venetia Williams’ yard hitting form now as the going starts to turn and given this mare’s record fresh I expect to see a strong performance in a race where she produced a battling performance to see off The Big Breakaway and win this two seasons ago.

CREDO was a fine second in this race last year, as part of a strong autumn campaign that saw her win the Desert Orchid Chase at Wincanton off 123 before her narrow second off 130 here. There is no doubt she wants a real test of stamina these days and ran in some of the big marathon contests last season.

She ran respectably in those with a third here in the Tommy Whittle, a fourth in the Classic Chase at Wincanton and a fifth over 3m7f at Punchestown amongst them. However she was only sixth here in the Grand National Trial and the handicapper has given her a chance now by dropping her back to 128, 2lbs lower than when second here last season. Her comeback from the same mark was perfectly respectable when third to Remastered at Wincanton on ground quicker than ideal. Expect a better performance with fitness on her side and the ground slower today.

Recommended bets:

1pt win – Inis Oirr – 2.05 Ascot – 100/30 general

1pt win – Catch Him Derry – 2.30 Haydock – 7/2 general

1pt each-way – Patriotik – 2.30 Haydock – 8/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)

1pt win – Sans Bruit – 3.20 Ascot –100/30 general

1pt each-way – Kotmask – 3.20 Ascot – 6/1 William Hill

1pt each-way – Fontaine Collonges – 3.40 Haydock – 17/2 BetVictor

1pt each-way – Credo 3.40 Haydock – 8/1 Bet365

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