SATURDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2021Day Two of the opening season fixture at the home of NH racing, yes the wait is finally over as the days begin to get shorter and the crisp mornings return, so what will Saturday bring us with the many already looking ahead to March and the Festival itself, what clues will this weekend give us. Coverage will be on ITV during the afternoon including The Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase won last season by Frodon, jockey Bryony Frost and trainer Paul Nicholls.
Gates Open - Approx. 12 noon
First Race - 1:45 Last Race - 5:15
Going - Good.
Going - Good.
1:45 The Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
2m 87y [Class 3 16 runners]
A large field assembled for our opening handicap on Saturday where we find top weight Straw Fan Jack, a wide margin winner at Aintree but might find conceding weight all around here today a bit much off his current mark. Twice a winner on the flat Ingleby Hollow is one to consider at 12/1 having been runner up on last two hurdles attempts, appears to be affective on good or soft and shouldn't be far off here. Samba Dancer [Won @10/3] has started his campaign well, ex Irish runner, now with Fergal O'Brien and wins at Uttoxeter and Stratford shows his well being, slight rise in grade here but might not have stopped improving and 3lb claim is useful.
Result - (14) Samba Dancer @10/3 [Liam Harrison].
2:20 The 888 Sport Handicap Steeple Chase
3m 1f [Class 2 14 runners]
Top weight and former Grand National favourite Cloth Cap reappears after his Aintree poor show. Would be a welcome boost for the yard as runs in the colours of the recently passed owner Trevor Hemmings. The horse has had a wind operation since his National disappointment, was improving all last term and no surprise to see him run well once again on seasonal debut, a likely front runner if allowed to bowl along again. Definite Plan [Won @9/2] can be found lower down the handicap and travels over from Ireland, a runner up on four of his last five runs, will need to improve his jumping a bit, something that should come with more experience but in good hands with his trainer looking to bounce back after his deserved ban last year.
Result - (11) Definite Plan @9/2 [J C Gainford].
2:55 The Masterson Holdings Hurdle Race
2m 87y [Class 2 4 runners]
Small field of four here, probably the presence of Tritonic has caused that, Alan King's 4yo won two of his three runs at the beginning of this year and also kept ticking over on the flat without scoring. Given his display in the Adonis hurdle at Kempton the one to beat today and probably a banker for the day. The two that might give him most to think about are I Like To Move It [Won @10/3] (N Twiston-Davies) who had the benefit of a spin over hurdles at Worcester earlier this month, while Stepney Causeway (D Skelton) has been successful in his last four runs and moves up in grade now. The field is completed by Twoshotsoftequila who appears to outclassed but place money available just needs to get round.
Result - (2) I Like To Move It @10/3 [Sam Twiston-Davies].
3:30 The 888 Sport Handicap Steeple Chase
2m [Class 2 9 runners]
There are a pair at the head of the betting market that warrant close inspection the first being Sky Pirate trained by Jonjo O'Neill twice a winner here including a festival victory (Grand Annual) in March. Yard have started the season well and should make a bold bid for another success. A winner on the flat back in February Before Midnight [Won @2/1f] has scored again and likely to be the main challenge today. Hopefully we have a full field to ensure three places, which might help Voix Du Reve who can make all and still have enough to secure a place bet victory today.
Result - (5) Before Midnight @2/1f [Sam Twiston-Davies].
4:05 The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Race
2m 7f 208y [Class 2 15 runners]
The Irish challenge could be led by recent Gowran Park winner Tullybeg that was three weeks ago so likely to have recovered from that 3m excursion, the yard is back to form after his enforced absence last season. The opposition is plentiful and we do have the 2019 winner Tobefair back in action. Is now 14lb lower than that success and has the benefit of a pipe opener for the season and this is likely to have been one of his early season targets too. At a large price and always giving his best work around here Kansas City Chief [Won @20/1] should be looked at in the place bet market (20/1) and would not be a surprise winner in an open event.
Result - (13) Kansas City Chief @20/1 [Victoria Malzard].
4:40 The Novices’ Steeple Chase
3m 80y [Class 2 3 runners]
Another small field of five for the novice chase, likely front runner Roi De Dubai should stay fine, and if allowed an easy lead could be hard to peg back especially if his jumping is up to scratch. The likes of Oscar Elite should be open to improvement over the larger obstacles and ended last season with some good place efforts in Gr1 company.
Result - (1) Does He Know @4/5f [David Bass].
5:15 The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Standard Open NH Flat Race
2m [Class 2 16 runners]
We will conclude our two day meeting with a NH 'bumper' over two miles, plenty of runners, the one to keep an eye on to see if the market speaks well is the 4yo Swapped trained by Nicky Henderson. Also Top Dog who was runner up at Fairyhouse while trained in Ireland by Colm Murphy and is now in the hands of Emma Lavelle. It's an open contest so not a huge investment for me that pair should be to the fore.
Result - .
Result - .
Results will be updated during Saturday afternoon and we will also have more from Cheltenham next month with their November meeting, as all roads lead to the 2022 Festival next March. Have a great weekend.
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