Saturday the 7th of April sees another very busy and competitive 'transition' Saturday, full of good fare on both the jumps and flat.
To kick off the terrestrial races, there is a London Mile qualifier at Kempton (2.05), and as ever with Saturday handicaps, a fiercely contested one. An interesting jockey booking is Ryan Moore for Mike Murphy with Chapter And Verse, who has a break of 147 days to overcome, but his last win was the London Mile final in 2010. He has a chance as does the quirky, but very talented Riggins, who ran okay at lingfield after a break recently. But my vote goes to MAVERIK, who is improving all the time, with a win on the snow in Switzerland last time, but his win before that beating the since prolific George Guru in a quick time makes his mark of 84 seem still workable.
Next is the Betfair Chase Series Final - Haydock (2.25). Horses that fit the short list include Tiger O'Toole, who is more unexposed than most in here over fences and has conditions to suit. Same applies to Suburban Bay, but I feel he will be too short in a more competitive heat here. So the selection is ZITENKA, who despite the yards quiet spell, ran very promisingly after a break at Carlisle last time and I feel he is better at this time of year, and may be the value in a difficult race.
The next C4 race is the Snowdrop Fillies Stakes, a listed contest over a mile at Kempton. Raasekha obviously catches the eye, with only 2 runs next to her name, but I'm thinking that today may not be her day, especially with a layoff to overcome. Personally, I prefer SOORAAH, who is more battle hardened, but ran well in the Winter Derby, on a track that wouldn't be preferable, and back to a track with a longer straight such as Kempton, which isn't to dissimilar to that of Meydan's straight he won on over the winter, he would have leading claims.
Then we go north of the border to Musselburgh for the Whistlejacket Conditions Stakes over the flying five furlongs at 2.45. Old Borderlescott would be great if he could score, but I think his age has caught up with him at 10. Captain Dunne usually needs a run before seen to better effect. So I go for HAMISH McGONAGALL, who is ultra consistent, loves Musselburgh and despite giving weight away all round, should collect for a 9th career triumph.
Back to Haydock for a very tricky Betfair Hurdle Series Final at 2.55 over 2 and a half miles. Brian Ellison dominates here with 7 of the 20 runners and has favourite Hada Men in his locker, devastating at Carlisle last time and remains unexposed. Personally though, of his team, I prefer Union Island, who is unexposed and will love conditions, with James Best taking a valuable 5 pounds off too. But I have always had a soft spot for TOP SMART, who I have followed for a long while, ran really well here last year and despite a couple of forgettable runs, won last time at Sandown to remain in good nick and along with Union Island, both at 12/1 at time of writing, represent good each way value.
The Queen's Prize next at Kempton again at (3.15). Rasheed represents in form connections, despite his quirks, as does Gulf Of Naples. But I am very keen on ACTIVATE. He looked very well handicapped in the early season last year with Michael Bell when winning a nice handicap at Haydock off a mark of 91 before losing confidence after being brought down in a horror incident at Goodwood. Has since moved to Kevin Ryan, who has previous with similar types of horse in terms of revitalising them, again making a new mark of 92, only one lb higher than his last win, a course win, winning both seasonal debuts at 3 and 4, and the current 9/1 look very tempting.
The next is the Levy Board Handicap Chase at Haydock over 2 and a half miles. Pasco continues to be helped by the handicapper, but I feel his time of year has passed. I have a niggling feeling that Owen Glendower is best at 2 miles so I will be opposing another favourite. I am siding with LORD VILLEZ, who is James Reveley's first ride for Ferdy Murphy since the riding arrangement reached between both parties in the week. He is a tricky customer, who got a good ride to beat Mr Syntax, who won since and reopposes here, at Newcastle last month, but Reveley looks the ideal pilot and again 10/1 looks decent each way.
Finally, back to Scotland and Musselburgh's new race the Royal Mile over a mile for 3yos. Each way angles could be Kinloch castle at the bottom, who has already experienced juice in the ground, but has a bad draw here. Zakreet also appeals because he is one of the two distance winners and has a win on soft ground too. But it very hard to get away from SWITZERLAND, who demolished a decent field at Wolverhampton last month, and despite a 12lb rise, still looks like an improver and can end the show on a winner.
SELECTIONS:
MAVERIK
ZITENKA E/W
SOORAAH
HAMISH McGONAGALL
TOP SMART/UNION ISLAND e/w
ACTIVATE
LORD VILLEZ E/W
SWITZERLAND
Good luck
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