Haydock and Ascot selections Saturday 15th February
Another full programme of jumps racing and another good Saturday with plenty of high quality action on offer. Staying chasers are to the fore with the Grand National Trial at Haydock taking centre stage and a high quality 3m handicap also taking place at Ascot. We had a strong day last weekend with wins for nap Joyeuse (advised 11/2) and Djelo (advised 2/1) whilst Magical King was placed for the each-way (advised 6/1).
Ascot 2.25: Joyeux Machin & Moveit Like Minnie
Plenty of unexposed progressive types line up here, yet it is two of the more exposed runners I like.
JOYEUX MACHIN was a decent novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago when with Paul Nolan, good enough to contest the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury. Whilst he cut little ice that day, he had very strong form, especially on decent ground. Even last season started well with a novice chase win at Wexford followed by a narrow second to Minella Crooner at the same venue in a listed contest. However the wheels fell off after that and he was sold in the summer to join Dan Skelton.
He has been brought along steadily since finishing down the field in two hot Cheltenham contests. However it was very eyecatching when flying home from the back for third under tender handling at Wetherby last time. That suggests he is reaching peak fitness now and is fairly handicapped off 133. This represents a much tougher task, but Harry Skelton is on board for the first time and he will enjoy decent ground.
MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE was placed at a big price for us here last month when chasing home Altobelli and could turn the tables on 8lbs better terms given the additional claim of Finn Lambert. He clearly did not take to chasing, running out in back to back races, but he has no issues with hurdling as his fine run over course and distance proved.
He is also best on good ground and right-handed tracks, both if which he gets today. He proved his stamina for this trip last time out and can give us another good run for our money each-way once more in what are very similar circumstances to his last race.
Ascot 3.00: Victtorino
VICTTORINO improved his Ascot record to 3-4 with a win for our column here at the December meeting and he can prove his liking for this Berkshire track with yet another win from just a 3lbs higher mark today.
Charlie Deutsch likes to take his time on this improving 7yo and again came from the back of the field to storm to the front last time, seeing off the sustained challenge from The Changing Man in the process. That win followed a fine third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and the handicapper is keeping him competitive by leaving him on a generous mark.
This race should pan out nicely again with a relatively small number of runners meaning he should not be too far behind even out the back, and a number of likely pacesetters such as Annsam and Threeunderthrufive making it easier for horses coming through from off the pace.
Haydock 3.15: Yeah Man
With weights now out for Aintree there is no disincentive to do well here and YEAH MAN can back up a win in this very race last season en route to a challenge in the Grand National itself.
Gavin Cromwell’s gelding is building up a strong record coming over for these British staying chases as he had already run two fine races at Ascot, falling at the last when holding a decent chance before finishing second to Victtorino. He probably did not quite stay on desperate going in the Irish National, but a sharper track here, plus slightly drier ground will be to his benefit.
His two runs in Ireland this season have been excellent, placing in both the Troytown and Thyestes and the fitting of cheekpieces continue to have a positive effect.
Recommended bets
1pt each-way – Joyeux Machin – 2.25 Ascot – 9/2 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Moveit Like Minnie – 2.55 Ascot – 14/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Victtorino – 3.00 Ascot – 9/2 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Yeah Man – 3.15 Haydock – 4/1 general
