There’s some fantastic racing on offer on Saturday across the cards, but I’ve focused on the Wetherby card for my picks this weekend. I’ve got a strong fancy in the Grade 2 bet365 hurdle, plus I’m also keen on one in the feature Charlie Hall Chase.
2:22 Wetherby – STRONG LEADER (13/8 generally)
The bet365 Hurdle doesn’t look a strong renewal this year, with just the five runners declared, and in my opinion there is only one winner – STRONG LEADER.
The Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen partnership appears to be unstoppable at the moment, and Strong Leader boasts a fantastic record when fresh, recording figures of 210112 when returning from a break of 50 days or longer. He’s put in his best performances since stepping up to this trip, and a repeat of the level of any of his runs last season (apart from his Ascot blip) should be good enough to win this.
Potters Charm appears to be the biggest danger according to the market, but he’s never raced over this trip before, and six-year-olds don’t have a great recent record in this, and I would suggest the bigger danger would come from Take No Chances, who should appreciate the step up in trip. However, she would need to put in a career-best performance to get close to Strong Leader, who rates my most confident fancy on Saturday.
2:57 Wetherby – HEWICK (7/2 generally)
Only six runners have been declared for the feature at Wetherby on Saturday, and if I’m honest, I think there are doubts over quite a few of the runners:
- Protektorat would want soft ground and often needs his first run of the season
- Pic d’Orhy is better left-handed and isn’t proven over this trip
- Djelo would want the ground softer than this, and the yard have had a quiet start to the season
- Ga Law is winless at this trip, and was well beaten on his sole previous race at Wetherby
With that in mind, I can see this being out of HEWICK and last year’s winner The Real Whacker, with preference for the former. Both are proven over this trip and will appreciate the ground, but the fact that Gavin Sheehan is back on board Hewick, and receives 6lbs from The Real Whacker, should be enough to see Shark Hanlon’s runner make it a worthwhile trip over from Ireland.
If Pic d’Orhy handles the course and trip, he could be the one to side with in a reverse forecast with Hewick, but for win only bets, it has to be Hewick for me!
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
2:22 Wetherby – STRONG LEADER (13/8 generally)
2:57 Wetherby – HEWICK (7/2 generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 10:05am Thursday 31st October
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Please note that although Tom has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
