Friday 11 May 2012

Channel 4 races, Saturday 12/05/12

Tomorrow gives Channel 4 viewers a mixture of flat and jumps, spread across 3 meetings, Haydock, Ascot and Lingfield. It should be an informative afternoon with plenty of horses sure to be going in many a notebook afterwards.
We start off with the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle over 3 miles at Haydock (2.00). Howizee was pretty devastating in the style of his win at Ayr last time out, but I feel a 13lb rise and on ground that would probably be a bit too soft for his liking, I would leave him. The one I could see running well at a big price is Bottman, who is back over hurdles after a poor round of jumping at the Festival, but before that had run really well there in January. He could run a mega race at a price. My selection is The Druid's Nephew, who I have followed all season with success, and a big run at Cheltenham behind Simonsig. He will appreciate conditions underfoot and is improving all the time, can't see him being far away.
Then to Lingfield for the Chartwell Fillies Stakes (2.10). I will stick to Fallen For You, who was impressive on her first try on Polytrack when beaten a mediocre field last time, but she is entered in the Coronation Stakes later in the season and definitely has a change of speed, which is great over 7 furlongs.
Then the first visit to Ascot, the Buckhounds Stakes at 2.20. I am going with the official figures here and  Dawn Twister, who won very well at Ripon on his first outing in this country, for a yard who do well with German bred horses, especially on deep ground.
Back to leafy Lingfield for the Oaks Trial, although on the All Weather due to deluge of rain through the last two weeks, run at 2.40. Vow has to be respected but I will side with Colima. She will race closer to the pace and created a good impression when winning at Nottingham last backend. She also has a lot of big race entries, Oaks, Ribblesdale, Pretty Polly and Irish Oaks, and is sure to go well.
Back to Ascot for the 2.50 for a fillies handicap over a mile. I will go for Shesastar, who seemed to appreciate the softer ground when winning at Doncaster last season, and for a yard who albeit have been quiet on the winners front, bringing one runner to Ascot is rare, nearly as rare as the booking of Ryan Moore (2-11 for the yard). She has a good each way chance.
Lingfield's Derby Trial next up at 3.10. The two I can't wait to run are Ed De Gas and Main Sequence. Ed De Gas has shown plenty of ability to date, but I don't think he will be as good as Main Sequence further down the line. He showed signs of greeness, flashing his tail in the finish on all three wins, but still won 3 out of 3 and for a yard who I would recommend to follow their 3 year olds, with a very strong team, would be my selection.
Victoria Cup time at Ascot at 3.25. I would offer three against the field which are Rodrigo De Torres, King Of Jazz and Global Village. Rodrigo De Torres has been in good form up the North and represents in-form connections who don't often come this far. King Of Jazz caught the eye last time at Doncaster and with a clearer passage is well handicapped and could be good value. Global Village ran very well at Newbury last time, risen 2lbs but with Tadhg O'Shea aboard (1-4 for yard), a proven ground specialist and has to go well. They could all be small each way plays.
The Swinton Hurdle, now known as the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles with 20 runners flying round Haydock at 3.40. I like All The Aces, for connections who have won the last two renewals of this race and a horse who I feel much prefers an easy ground 2 miles than the 2 and a half miles he has encountered recently. His mark has dropped as a result and I think he can take advantage of the handicappers' good nature.
Good Luck and Happy Viewing!!
Will

ADVISED:
                 2pts E/W The Druid's Nephew (2.00 Haydock)
                 1pt WIN Fallen For You (2.10 Lingfield)
                 2pts E/W Colima (2.40 Lingfield)
                 1pt E/W Shesastar (2.50 Ascot)
                 2pts WIN Main Sequence (3.10 Lingfield)
                0.5pt E/W Rodrigo De Torres/ King Of Jazz/ Global Village (3.25 Ascot)
                2pts E/W All The Aces (3.40 Haydock)

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