This weekend should see one of the highlights of the Jump season thus far, Betfair Super Saturday regularly showcases some of racing’s biggest names alongside the stars of the future. The £155,000 Betfair Hurdle [3.35], now the richest race of its type in the UK, boasts a prestigious roll of honour dating back to 1963 with recent winners including Zarkandar, My Tent Or Yours and Ballyandy. There are many other high quality races here this afternoon and previous winners at this meeting include Altior, before he won the Champion Chase, plus numerous horses who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, including Denman, Coneygree and Native River, the day is sure to play host to many exciting conclusions and Cheltenham itself is only about five weeks away.
Hopefully this meeting will survive any weather or other issues as it was sadly cancelled last year due to a brief outbreak of Equine Flu but all being well we shall be fine this year unless the weather intervenes.
Going -- Good to soft [Good in places].
Weather -- Cold and cloudy forecast throughout the day with a maximum temperature of 10C and 'Storm Ciara' on the way later.
13:15 Set Your Own Odds On Betfair Exchange Novices' Hurdle
(Class 3, 2m 69y, 15 runners)
A field of 15 declared and headed by Chantry House who is a bumper winner, impressed when making a winning start over hurdles after a nine-month break looks the short priced favourite here for trainer Nicky Henderson. L'Air Du Vent represents the Colin Tizzard yard, returns from wind surgery with a tongue-tie on for the first time having gone backwards over hurdles after winning a bumper on his debut. Highly tried last time and no surprise to see him bounce back here. While the mare River Tyne is a big price for the Skelton team and though might prefer further in time should also be considered for a place at the least and followed later this season.
Result -- 1st: Chantry House 8/15f
(Class 2, 3m 52y, 9 runners)
A field of nine runners headed by Philip Hobbs' Dolphin Square who should be suited by the ground and the stamina test here having won twice this term too. Acey Milan has already been a good horse for us but recent efforts means I will skip this one and instead will be interested in Thunderstruck at a decent price although has been runner up four out of five starts has the time to still deliver.
Result -- 1st: One for the team 4/1
(Class 1, 2m 92y, 6 runners)
Great to see the return of the high class chaser Altior who having been given time to recover from his recent defeat at Ascot and has been the winner of the last two running's of this race, it would be a surprise if he wasn't able to get back to winning ways here. Opposition is probably headed by Alan King's Sceau Royal who is a high class chaser who has won at this level before and has proved himself in Grade 1 company. Run third to Altior in last year's Champion Chase and another sound run expected. Support for Paul Nicholls Dynamite Dollars would be interesting as he's capable of still improving over fences, and while not in the class of Altior should be able to have some success at this level in the future.
Result -- 1st: Altior 1/3f
(Class 1, 2m 7f 86y, 7 runners)
Likely small field here as only 8 left in at the 48hr stage, currently includes Native River and will be interesting to see if Colin Tizzard's star does run with Cheltenham just over a month away, has only raced once this season successful in a four runner affair at Aintree and if he does turn up surely will be a short price to land this and go onto the Gold Cup. He is declared in the overnight race card and will be about 1/3f so it's a race to watch and enjoy, I hope he can return to Cheltenham and give another strong account. Might Bite is not the force of old and needs to just ensure he completes first of all else retirement beckons, while only seven runners means each way options are limited we think that Paul Nicholls runner Secret Investor is likely to fill the place.
Result -- 1st: Native River 2/5f
15:35 Betfair Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap)
(Class 1, 2m 69y, 26 runners)
With over £87k on offer to the winner this should be a cracking renewal and see plenty of Cheltenham bound horses taking on one another. Headed by Gumball for Phillip Hobbs was runner up in Nov at Cheltenham in an equally thrilling race but might well be vulnerable off top weight in soft or heavy ground if further rain comes. Harambe [brought down] is one to consider at about 20/1 was quite progressive towards the end of last season when he won twice then bounced back to form when once again faced with a big-field scenario to win the Greatwood Hurdle.
Mack The Man (trained by Evan Williams) has won both his starts the latest being a top-class handicap at Sandown off an 8lb lower mark. [Also brought down] Has a nice low weight here and does travels well in his races could still have plenty of potential and a leading contender. Who Shot The Sheriff and Highly Prized are also well supported in a wide open affair. We lost our selections in a big fall at the last costing us any chance but the big price winner ran on well.
Result -- 1st: Pic D'Orhy 33/1
16:10 Back Or Lay On The Betfair Exchange Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
(Class 3, 2m 7f 86y, 7 runners)
A small field here but the two to focus on would appear to be Paul Nicholls' 7yo Mont Des Avaloirs who should be suited by the soft going and the trip, although no match for Angels Breath last time out. Also take a look at Colin Tizzard's 6yo Highest Sun who's best chasing form was at Ascot keeping on the run Pym close. Of the remainder Present Value is inexperienced having only had five runs, so going chasing now might be the making of him though probably needs a bit more time.
Result -- 1st: Sussex Ranger 9/1
(Listed Standard Open NH Flat Race)
(Class 1, 2m 69y, 10 runners)
We sign off this meeting with a good quality 'flat' race, better than your average bumper and a good prize in it's own right. Normally I avoid these but you can take a lot of interest with the longer term future of some of these and I will see if recent Cheltenham winner Audacity will be confirmed as he did us a nice turn last time out - he has been and is 6/1 to go in again. The unbeaten 5yo Admiral should also be considered in an open contest.
Result -- 1st: Ocean Wind 7/2
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