It’s a thrilling day of racing ahead on Saturday, with Cheltenham’s Trials Day headlining a six-pack of race meetings across the UK and Ireland.
Cheltenham have nine races on their card, including the rescheduled Clarence House Chase, while further jumps action comes from Doncaster, Uttoxeter and Fairyhouse alongside all-weather cards from Lingfield in the afternoon and Kempton in the evening.
Our Saturday fancies include a promising chaser in Boothill for Harry Fry at Doncaster, as he looks to give a nod to Arkle favourite Jonbon – the only horse to beat him over fences so far this term.
Selections
- Doncaster 1.35 – Boothill @ 5/4
- Uttoxeter 3.42 – Your Own Story @ 9/4
- Kempton 7.30 – Pride Of America @ 5/1
Tip 1
Such is the depth of quality racing this afternoon that the Grade 2 MND Association Race For Research Lightning Novices’ Chase (1.35) at Doncaster doesn’t even make the ITV Racing line-up, but it’s worth catching as Harry Fry’s BOOTHILL (5/4) headlines a small but select field on Town Moor.
He has picked up his game this season since returning to chasing and is still lightly-raced and capable of better still.
He won handicaps at Newton Abbot and Ascot early on, before finishing second to the aforementioned Jonbon in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chases at Sandown in December.
He built on that when landing the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton (2m, soft) over Christmas and comes here on the up despite his 5lb penalty.
His main rivals are Since Day One and Tommy’s Oscar. They finished first and second at Newcastle early this month, though the winner is some 19lb worse off now on these terms. Ann Hamilton’s stable star Tommy’s Oscar is a fair performer but was beaten fair and square in this grade at Cheltenham in November and, while he could avenge his Newcastle defeat, he may find Boothill has his measure.
Tip 2
A Novices’ Handicap Chase (3.42) over three-and-a-quarter-miles at Uttoxeter where stamina will play a key role and that should bode well for Lucinda Russell’s YOUR OWN STORY (9/4).
He was dual winner in point-to-points and got off the mark on his second hurdles start last March over 3m1f at Carlisle, showcasing his stamina. He had just one more start over timber last season and, while 0-3 this term over fences, already looks destined to achieve better things in this code.
He was second at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) in October’s fencing bow and then fourth at Haydock over a marathon 3m4½f on testing ground at Merseyside layout in November.
He bettered that at the start of January, finishing closest to Gold Cup Bailly at Ayr (3m, heavy) and that looks a rock-solid effort given the Stuart Crawford-trained winner was making it 3-3 over fences and is now rated 140.
This increased stamina-test and a mark of 117 should be within reach for Your Own Story before too long.
Tip 3
After a big run at Newcastle earlier in the month in a Conditions event Ziggy will prove a popular conveyance in this London Middle Distance Series Qualifier over 1m3f at Kempton (7.30) for Harry Eustace.
He’s a worthy favourite but PRIDE OF AMERICA (5/1) can give him plenty to think about for Amy Murphy and Tom Marquand.
He posted figures of 1211 on his first four runs after joining this yard last year before coming up shy in a Listed race at Compiegne in June on his final appearance in June.
He made a winning stable bow after a layoff of more than a year, so the absence since isn’t a source of concern and, having undergone wind surgery in his downtime, he may still be capable of further progress.
He’s on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder today and is a value alternative to the market leader.
