Last weekend was a mixed bag of results. Take No Chances may have been better off at the weights, but she didn’t see out the trip as strongly as her rivals, while Notable Speech was a tough one to take. There was always the possibility of him finding trouble in running, and unfortunately that proved to be the case. He rattled home to be beaten just three-quarters of a length, and there is no doubt the best horse in the race finished second.
On the plus side, Tapley ran another excellent race to finish third at Ascot, perhaps not quite seeing out the trip as strongly as those ahead of him, while Hidden Mountain confirmed himself as a really exciting prospect, winning with the minimum of fuss on his hurdling debut at Worcester. He is a proper horse, and I can’t wait to see where the Bailey-Nicholls team head next with him.
This weekend sees the curtain come down on the Flat turf season at Doncaster, while there are several jumps cards to look forward to across Saturday and Sunday, giving us plenty of good racing to enjoy.I found it difficult to pick out more than one horse I was particularly strong on for Saturday, so we have a slightly different approach this weekend, with one fancy for Saturday and a new section called On The Radar, highlighting horses that have caught my eye and could be worth following.
13:15 Aintree – KADASTRAL (15/8 Generally)
There are a few nice handicap chasers in opposition here, but none have the potential or scope for improvement of KADASTRAL, who looks extremely well treated off a mark of 125 as he starts his career over fences. He disappointed at the end of last season, when I was among those who lost out backing him in a 2m4f novice hurdle at Uttoxeter, where he folded tamely, but he has since undergone a wind operation. His form beforehand in bumpers and novice and maiden hurdles is very strong, particularly his efforts against Sober Glory, a horse of Grade 1 standard, where he was the only rival able to lay a glove on him.
He could well be one of the best handicapped horses in training over jumps, and provided he jumps well enough on his chasing debut, which I fully expect him to do, this well-built six-year-old can make an immediate impact over fences. With the form he has shown and the champion trainer clearly having high hopes for him, I would urge everyone to put him in their trackers and follow him closely, whatever the outcome at Aintree.
On The Radar
I have several horses from my tracker running this weekend, but here are a few worth noting, starting with the Jamie Snowden-trained Cinquenta, who has some smart bumper and novice hurdling form and now switches his attention to fences. He should make a nice chaser, and I’ll be keeping a close eye on him, but today’s 12:50 at Uttoxeter looks a competitive little contest, and I’m happy to let him win without any of my money on him. However, don’t let him go unnoticed this season. Another exciting prospect from Folly House is Chicks For Free, who makes her debut in the bumper at Uttoxeter at 15:40. A stylish point-to-point winner, she is held in high regard, and I would expect her to be in the mix on her rules debut.
Taurus Bay has plenty of ability and should make a lovely novice chaser, but with some of Ben Pauling’s horses not looking 100% ready on their first starts of the season, and this being a seriously hot race, I’ll be watching with an eye to the future in the 14:25 at Aintree.
Butterfly Beach has switched to the shrewd Ollie Sangster yard and looks capable of winning a novice, but she hasn’t been seen since May, so I’m happy to leave her alone in the 17:00 at Southwell. She is certainly one worth keeping an eye on, though.
Onto Sunday at Ffos Las, make sure to go back and watch Nancefordshore’s last race at Chepstow. This gelding had been given a few quiet runs to get a handicap mark before being sent off at 8/1 for his handicap debut at the end of March, where he was a monstrous eye-catcher under Ben Jones. He would surely have won had he not fallen at the last and looks certain to win a handicap hurdle of this nature at some point this season. He may well need the run in the 14:27, but make sure you put him in your tracker.
Galway Reel won for us over hurdles at Market Rasen a couple of weeks ago, and I wouldn’t be keen to oppose him in the 15:37.
At Sandown, two smart horses, Kaylan and Mint Approved, take each other on in the 13:10. I would favour the latter, with Kaylan returning from a lengthy absence, but both look capable of winning races over hurdles this season.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
13:15 Aintree – KADASTRAL (15/8 Generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 10:04pm Friday 6th November
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Please note that although Matt has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
