Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Haydock and Ascot on Saturday. View selections below.
KABRAL DU MATHAN (1.15) looks another winner for the sizzling Skelton boys in the 2m 3f Betfair-sponsored handicap hurdle at Haydock.
The five-year-old enjoyed a fruitful campaign for previous handler Paul Nicholls, scoring twice before posting his best effort in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr when losing out in a photo finish.
Fitness is rarely an issue with Dan Skelton’s horses and Kabral Du Matahn can make a winning reappearance, probably at the main expense of The Four Sixes, bidding for a fourth straight victory and representing another hot duo in Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen.
NAVAJO INDY (2.25) has 17 rivals to overcome but can make his presence felt in the three-mile Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.
The six-year-old found only French Ship too strong in a big field at Cheltenham last month and Navajo Indy possessed the speed to take third spot behind impressive Joyeuse over two miles at Newbury in February. Tom Symonds now moves him up in distance.
Ace Of Spies justified favouritism over 2m 4f at Aintree and will appreciate this return to a longer trip, while Ma Shantou and Electric Mason lock horns again after fighting out an exciting finish at Cheltenham last month.
Last year’s winner Shoot First races off a 6lb higher mark but the Charles Byrnes-trained top weight merits market scrutiny.
Most firms are advertising five places to each-way punters.
DUKE OF DECEPTION (3.35) held on bravely for success over 3m 2f at Kelso last month and is fancied to outrun his generous odds in the concluding handicap chase over a slightly shorter trip.
Sam Thomas has adopted a softly-softly approach with Carlisle novice chase winner Shomen Uchi and his gelding is interesting now tackling some seasoned performers.
ASPUROFTHEMOMENT (2.05) makes his first trip across the Irish Sea and should be competitive in the 3m 5f chase at Ascot.
Gavin Cromwell’s six-year-old hasn’t had a lot of racing and there was plenty to like about his recent third in the Munster National at Limerick when collared approaching the final fence.
The Skelton yard is represented by Snipe, fourth behind Henry’s Friend here over a shorter distance at the beginning of November. The assessor has dropped him a pound and Snipe can go well under conditional rider Tristan Durrell.
Skelton fields fancied Calico, a recent Cheltenham scorer, in the two-mile handicap chase but it may be worth chancing BOOTHILL (3.15) on his first start of the new campaign.
Harry Fry’s top weight, a three-time course and distance scorer, capitalised on the last-fence departure of Saint Segal to land this prize 12 months ago. He will go off a tempting each-way price.
Teddy Blue held Gabriel’s Getaway at bay here at the beginning of November and little separates the pair at these revised weights.
Last year’s comfortable winner Martator was later a shadow of his former self but remains well treated if Venetia Williams can spark a revival.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
