This is not the greatest day’s horse racing for a Saturday but there are 2 bets that stand out in handicaps; 1 at Haydock and 1 at Chester.
2.00 Haydock
The opening race on the Haydock card sees 13 line up for a competitive Class 3 handicap over a mile. There are 2 in the field bidding for 4 timers; the first of those is Clotilde and she is the current favourite with Ryan Moore taking the ride. All 3 of her wins have been in fillies handicaps and in small fields but she’s now taking on the boys, whilst her mark is continuing to rise. I can’t be taking the 5/1 on offer. Ice Slice is the other bidding for a 4 timer and he’s more than double the price at 11/1. This is a step up in grade and with an effectively 7lb higher mark, he’ll do well to win again. I’d rather look elsewhere.
Strong Steps has definite claims under Frankie Dettori. He hasn’t won in 10 but he’s run some great races in defeat and is still on a workable mark. I expect him to be there or thereabouts and would not put anyone off backing him. The niggling doubt is the combination of price and inability to get his head in front, whilst his draw is a little wider than ideal.
Instead I like the chances of Gerry The Glover. A winner of 3 of his 16 races, he’s a consistent type who has the form to take this. He goes on any ground and looked to be coming back into form last time out when 5th at Newcastle where he may not have appreciated the surface. The key is trip (he’s better over a mile) and he likes a long straight to run up, both of which he gets here. Whilst he’s 3lb above his last winning mark, it still looks well within his grasp.
He’s won at this track over this trip just over 12 months ago and followed that up with a 6th in the Silver Bowl where he got no sort of run. His other win last term was when accounting for Volunteer Point, who has since gone on and is now rated 102. When tackling a mile in handicaps, his form reads 6-1-6-1-8-3 whilst he’s placed once in 6 runs over 7 furlongs. In addition, he’s tackling a Class 3 handicap which seems to be his grade. Just 1 3rd in 9 races in higher grades but his record in this grade reads 1 win, 1 2nd and 2 unplaced (1 on the all weather, the other on his seasonal reappearance).
He looks to be a decent price and should run a good race at a track he clearly likes so Gerry The Glover is our first bet on a quiet Saturday.
Back Gerry The Glover (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Bet365 (¼ odds 1-3 BOG)
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2.50 Chester
A 12 runner, Class 2 handicap over the turning 7.5 furlongs at Chester. The first thing to look for is a horse that will handle the track and a lowish draw is also an advantage where you need to jump out on terms and go the shortest way round. Those things alone can help us to rule out a number of these but I’ll start by looking at the leading contenders.
The William Haggas trained Predominance is the favourite but is not for me. Admittedly, he is lightly raced and brings some form to the table having won a very competitive Class 2 Haydock race before finishing midfield in the Victoria Cup. Whilst he has the inside berth, I’m worried over his tendency to be held up and may get no sort of run so 5/1 is a price I want to oppose. Best Of Times is well thought of and has the best form of these but an absence of over 12 months coupled with the widest draw is enough to take him on.
Capo Rosso has claims but is drawn a little wider than ideal for a front runner. If he can get over without using up too much energy, he may prove tough to catch but I have my doubts and that’s lead me to the selection, Gabrials Kaka. He’s trained by Richard Fahey and owned by Dr Koukash who loves to target a winner at Chester. That’s almost a tip in itself but he has far more than that to recommend him. He’s won here and has an ok draw in 6 whilst his prominent racing style suits. He’s racing off 92 but has been 100+ rated in the past and I’d say he comes here in very good form.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal reappearance when 3rd in the Irish Lincoln before following up with a win on the all weather at Chelmsford. His last 2 runs have seen him finish runner up on both occasions and whilst his mark has gone up 1lb, he looks in good enough form to defy this mark. He ran in this race last year but had the worst of the draw in 13 so did well to finish 3 lengths 6th off 4lb higher. If anything, his form is better this time around so I’d argue he looks well handicapped to take this decent little handicap.
PLACED – Back Gabrials Kaka (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 7.50 Coral (¼ odds 1-3 BOG)
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