The horse racing broadcaster offers up four selections from Saturday’s racing, including one in the feature race at Cheltenham.
ITV action is shared between Cheltenham and Doncaster on Saturday, and for once the weather looks pretty settled.
The possibility of low sun means the feature race is up first, with the December Gold Cup featuring several horses who met here in November. Il Ridoto came out on top that day but has taken a significant hike in the weights, while the strong finish of Madara into fourth caught the eye of many. He was never really put into the race as he had only been with the yard for a short time and so it is possible he would not sustain his effort as well if ridden amongst them. Last year’s winner Fugitif has a decent claim with that reappearance under his belt, but he has always been more of a place than a win proposition. At the prices, it might be worth risking the jumping of IN EXCELSIS DEO
10/1
(13:50 Cheltenham), who came down four out in that Paddy Power Gold Cup. Given his own jumping deficiencies, it was rather ironic that it was the error of another horse that may have deprived him of a Festival victory in last year’s Plate, and even though he is higher after a solid win here in April there could well be more to come if he can avoid the one major blemish that has rather blighted his career to date. It is not forecast to be sunny but any fence omission would be a plus.
Later in the card, ROYALE MARGAUX
10/1
(15:35 Cheltenham) has a good record at the track and the return to 2m 4f should suit after just seeming not to see out 3m at Ascot last time. Having been largely campaigned over fences, she is unexposed back over hurdles and can finally lay Ben Poste’s Cheltenham bogey. He is yet to ride a winner at the track from 37 rides but has had five seconds (two on Royale Margaux) so deserves a change of fortune.
At Doncaster, Anthony Honeyball’s horses are finding a bit of form and FORWARD PLAN
4/1
(14:05 Doncaster) should show the benefit of his reappearance at Wincanton in the Badger Beer, just as he did when landing the spoils last season. He is much higher in the weights but progressed well last campaign placing off this mark of 137 at Aintree at the end of the season.
DEPLOY TO SPY
9/2
(15:15 Doncaster) rounds off the selections after completing the hat trick with a minimum of fuss on his handicap debut at Aintree after novice successes in the summer. The ground has held up long enough for him to still be pursuing a hurdling campaign and he may well still be capable of a fair bit better given his progressive profile.
JOCKEYS FOR COURSES
Riders in action at meetings where they have a good career record in terms of winners partnered compared to market expectations.
Cheltenham – Nico De Boinville (53 / 300, A/E 1.35). Two rides include Peaky Boy (12:40) whom he rode to victory at the November meeting here.
Doncaster – Henry Brooke (20/153, A/E 1.46). Four rides including the consistent Gaboriot (14:05).
Southwell – Sean Levey (24/104, A/E 1.48). Two well-spaced rides, so the fact he hangs on for Tilsworth Only Ta (17:45) could be of interest.
Wolverhampton – Raul Da Silva (43/411, A/E 1.36). Just one ride on Scarlet Sunset (17:00)
STABLE TRACKER UPDATE
Another very quiet week with Ormolulu (20:15 Southwell) on Friday the only runner this week. He has run well on his both his starts for Gemma Tutty and got going too late last time. The concern is the yard has just hit a quiet patch and stall 1 may be a poisoned chalice if he fluffs the start but he is well enough handicapped to win races this winter.
One addition to bolster the ranks here in Ribenska who shaped very well on her debut at Kempton on Wednesday. Sent off at 33/1, she was well back in a steadily run race before staying on strongly to finish a never-nearer fourth, sustaining her effort right to the line.
Additions: Ribenska
A full list of current tracker horses can be found here.
COLUMN PERFORMANCE 2024
Selections: 63/61.58, A/E 1.02
Jockeys For Courses: 61/61.89, A/E 0.99
Stable Tracker: 29/31.81, A/E 0.91
Total Performance: 153/155.28, A/E 0.99
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