Guides to both Betfair Ascot Chase and Haydock Grand National Trial
We have a one-stop-shop for those seeking guidance ahead of the two big races on Saturday - Haydock's National Trial and the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Betfair Ascot Chase
Coney Island
High-class novice chaser last year, winning in Grade One company before narrow second to subsequent Irish Gold Cup winner Our Duke over Christmas. Sidelined afterwards and absent for a year prior to ready success in three-runner contest over this course and distance. That race rather fell in his lap but there should be more to come from a potential Gold Cup candidate who should be suited by the way this race pans out.
Cue Card
Won this race five years ago on Ascot debut and equally impressive on his sole subsequent start here as he romped home in last year's edition. Fallen in two of his subsequent four starts but was beaten a neck in Grade One company at Aintree and, reunited with Paddy Brennan, there will be those willing to give this grand old horse one more chance. Rated 176 at his peak and none of these have got close to that.
Frodon
Six-year-old who has plenty of experience over fences and jumps like an old hand, as demonstrated when a taking winner at Cheltenham last month. Likes it there but had previously run well enough here, including when third behind Top Notch when conceding 1lb. More to come in all likelihood but with rider unable to claim her 5lb, there will need to be if he's to reverse form with that rival.
Speredek
Pulled-up first two starts over fences but a revelation since, winning four handicaps on the spin before rewarding connections' audacity with excellent second to Un De Sceaux here. That came over two miles and a furlong but he rallied having set a strong pace and has won over a trip just shy of three miles. Still rated a good 10lb off the form horses here but a bold show from the front is expected nevertheless.
Top Notch
Something of a cult hero at Seven Barrows as a diminutive little thing who has shown a real aptitude for fences. Two-from-two since hurdles defeat on seasonal return, firstly here before winning rescheduled Peterborough Chase at Taunton, while previous novice campaign saw him give Yorkhill a scare in the JLT having earlier won a Grade One over a trip similar to this one at Sandown. Everything in his favour as he looks to cement position towards the top of the market for the Ryanair Chase.
Traffic Fluide
Capable on his day and would have a squeak on his spring form, which includes well-held third at Aintree and mid-division run in the Champion Chase. However, he's been beaten out of sight in two starts at this level since and remains winless outside of handicap company. Watch for signs of life but not expected to figure.
Waiting Patiently
Five-from-five for the late Malcolm Jefferson, all over fences, and landed a Listed contest at Kempton in the style of a top-class animal when last seen. This stiffer test over the furthest he's travelled asks a new question and doubt he wants any further, but ability to travel and then quicken off a good pace was in evidence last time and could serve him particularly well here. Now rated 164, the equal of Top Notch, and arguably has greater scope to improve.
Grand National Trial
Blaklion
Grand National favourite who impressed again over those fences when a nine-length winner in December, form which is very good. Up 8lb here and therefore 9lb higher than when beaten in the race last year, but no reason he can't have improved enough to defy the rise. That said, does have to concede upwards of a stone to all bar The Dutchman, to whom he gives 13lb, and that's some ask in the conditions. Bound to be bang there but could just be vulnerable.
The Dutchman
Second to the thrown-in Sam Spinner on first run for the yard here in November, over hurdles, after which he was a shade disappointing at Cheltenham. Seemingly relished a return to Haydock and to fences last time as he dotted up by 13 lengths under Harry Cobden to earn a 13lb rise in the weights. Only four others finished and the form remains untested, but what's clear is Saturday's conditions suit and with more to come, looks a big danger to the favourite.
Yala Enki
No match for The Dutchman in bid for second course win here last month, but honourable fourth enhanced an excellent course record. Subsequently fell at the first at Sandown but that's the first time this usually reliable jumper has done so. Back down to his last winning mark now and a stone better off with Colin Tizzard's horse, so there's a case to be made if back to his best at a course he clearly enjoys.
Three Faces West
Another who likes it here, this front-runner landed a handicap chase head-in-chest in November 2016 having earlier won over the old fixed brush hurdles. Fell at the track last time, the first fall of his career, but had plenty of time to recover and looks a likely player if none the worse for it. Questionable whether he's quite good enough to win off this mark aged 10, but should go well for a long way.
Silsol
Well-beaten over hurdles here in November in the race won by Sam Spinner, but that was his first outing in more than a year and ran much better when a plugging-on fifth in the Coral Welsh National. That performance all the more meritorious given that he'd not run over fences in public for two years and on his best hurdles form a mark of 144 is potentially generous. Noel Fehily a fine man for the job despite the absence of Bryony Frost's claim and not one to dismiss.
Wild West Wind
Lightly-raced nine-year-old who has done all his winning under testing conditions, including two starts back at Chepstow. That performance earned him a prominent position in the Welsh National market but he fell when out in front. Carries a similar weight here and looks set to be suited by marathon trips, so while there's competition for the lead he needs respecting if over that fall.
Daklondike (non-runner)
Sir Mangan
Improved performer since joining this yard, winning three times, but ran poorly in the Classic Chase and wouldn't be sure he wants a test this extreme.
Mysteree
Won over course-and-distance in November 2016 and has confirmed that he's made for this type of test on more than one occasion since. Second in the Midlands National last March and on reflection, perhaps heading straight to the Welsh version was too big an ask despite his good record fresh. Left on the same mark here - 11lb higher than his Newcastle win a year ago - but a potential factor if improving for Chepstow.
Verdicts
The Betfair Ascot Chase is a fascinating contest in its own right but will also clear up the Cheltenham picture.
TOP NOTCH is closing in on Un De Sceaux at the top of the Ryanair market and earns narrow preference here, as he has absolutely ideal conditions and may not have stopped improving just yet.
Coney Island may have been a touch flattered last time but nonetheless rates a danger along with Waiting Patiently, whose latent speed just conjures some doubts as to whether he really wants this stiffer test - especially with a good gallop assured.
Some will give Cue Card another chance and that's fair enough at the odds but he was beaten a heck of a long way at Haydock and, while Paddy Brennan's return to the saddle has to be considered a positive, has too many questions to answer now.
Over at Haydock, Blaklion will do for most in the Grand National Trial but it could pay to take him on off a career-high mark.
Virtually all the others make some kind of appeal, but at the prices it's worth taking an each-way chance on SILSOL, who ran better than a couple of these in the Welsh National, runs here off 3lb lower and is well-in on his best hurdles form.
The Dutchman has to be a player while Yala Enki would've been of greater interest but for the fact the yard are going through a quiet spell.
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