Saturday’s live offering of racing on ITV has been decimated by the abandonment at Ascot but there are still three races to come from Haydock Park and four from Kempton.
Here is the schedule for Saturday’s action.
Haydock Park
13:30 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) 1m71⁄2f
14:05 New One Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Champion Hurdle Trial Race) (GBB Race) (Class 1) 1m71⁄2f
14:40 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) 3m11⁄2f
Lingfield
1:37 – 1m 2f Huge Daily Boosts at BetUK Handicap (due off 1.50)
2:12 – 7f Spreadex Sports Handicap (due off 2.25)
2:47 – 1m 2f talkSport Winter Oaks (Handicap) (due off 3.00)
3:22 – 5f BetUK Handicap (due off 3.35)
Haydock Park
13:30 Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) 1m71⁄2f
The Grade Two race kicks proceedings off on ITV and the seven-strong field looks like it could produce a very exciting race.
Currently, the ante-post favourite is 6/4 Pembroke who is looking to make it three on the bounce over jumps and he is saddled and trained by the Skelton family.
Last time out, the six-year-old absolutely romped home to victory at Ludlow, trailing his nearest rival by 16 lengths as he secured successive wins.
3/1 Chasing Fire should be his nearest rival in Saturday’s contest with the Olly Murphy-trained six-year-old winning back-to-back contests at Market Rasen – both by 16 lengths.
He is stepping up in class for Saturday’s Merseyside contest but he has showcased plenty of spirit in his fledgling career so far and should have enough to win this one.
Selection – Chasing Fire to win
The second of three Grade Two races swiftly follows as 8/15 Epatante enters as the overwhelming favourite to take the spoils.
Nicky Henderson’s mare is well-established and has ran well in her last few races, coming second behind stablemate Constitution Hill in a couple of Grade Ones, including the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
A drop down in class ensures she should be the one to fear though chasing her will be 3/1 I Like To Move It.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained six-year-old won well at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance in November but was then disappointing at the same course on New Year’s Day, only managing sixth in the Grade Two Relkjeel Hurdle.
However, he is dropping back down in distance and should be there to challenge Epatante at the end.
Selection – I Like To Move It each way
14:40 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) 3m11⁄2f
The three-miler brings the ITV action to a close with plenty of big names racing in this one.
The obvious one to look out for is 11/4 Bristol De Mai with the experienced Betfair Chase winner and Grand National participant look to add another victory.
The 12-year-old did win at Haydock in February last year and does have great pedigree coming into this one.
However, 9/4 Fontaine Collonges got a win at Haydock just before the New Year and could be set for more honours.
The nine-year-old, trained by Venetia Williams, has won three of his last five races and is in excellent form.
Selection – Fontaines Collonges to win
Lingfield
1:37 – 1m 2f Handicap (due off 1.50)
Dream Harder (SP) comes into this race on the back of three straight wins and could be one to watch, though Paris Lights (SP) has been in good form of late after switching stables.
Selection – Paris Lights to win
2:12 – 7f Sports Handicap (due off 2.25)
The experienced Poetic Force (5/1) looked in great shape when winning a handicap at Lingfield a couple of weeks ago and is in great shape again.
Dancinginthewoods (13/2) last won at Kempton in October so has experience of going well here but Poetic Force looks to be too strong for the rest.
Selection – Poetic Force to win
2:47 – 1m 2f talkSport Winter Oaks (Handicap) (due off 3.00)
Al Agalia (10/11) had a career best victory 30 days ago when winning at Lingfield over the same distance in a ten-strong field. The Simon and Ed Crisford trained horse is looking to grab a hat trick and looks smart here.
Selection – Al Agalia to win
3:22 – 5f Handicap (due off 3.35)
Silky Wilkie (9/4) won three of 14 races last year and is well-respected coming into this race. However, The Bell Conductor (7/2) also looks like putting on a strong performance and only lost his unbeaten record on New Year’s Day.
Selection – The Bell Conductor each way
