Hello again, another lovely weekend of racing last week with Kamsinas bolting up and a few places at quite tidy prices. Much smaller betting weekend from me this week. I think Newcastle is more than likely going to be off so I won’t waste any time putting up any horses there.
As always, feel free to check out my Twitter @Frickstips, for my reactions pre and post-race and any other bets I may add on the day!
Newbury 2:50 Coral Trophy – Midnight River 10/1 EW // Our Power 16/1 EW (6 Places)
This race is always a highlight in the racing calendar for me. I absolutely love staying chasers and we have a very strong field lined up on Saturday. Keep an eye on the horses that run well and fill the places as Corach Rambler finished a nice 4th here last year in preparation for winning the Ultima at the Cheltenham festival for a 2nd time followed by the Grand National.
Looking at this race from a trend perspective, Midnight River fits all of them. If races were run on paper the bookies should pay us out now. However, they are not. He’s the right age, had over 6 chase starts, had a prep run over fences, finished in the top 3 last time out, and won over 3 miles. He, Mahler Mission, Eldorado Allen, and Dusart are the only qualifiers on the back of this. I can’t have Mahler Mission though with the horrible form of John Mcconall at the moment with him without a winner in over 50 days.
From a form perspective, Midnight River is a class act too. 3rd in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last year and then went on to win the Coral Trophy at the New Year’s Day meeting at Cheltenham. He ended his season with a lovely win at the Aintree Festival over 3m 1f. If you watch that race back his jump at the last is incredible and pulls him a good length clear of the field. He had a nice prep run in the Charlie Hall where he finished a remote third but had a lovely round of jumping. To top it off the Skeltons won this race last year with Le Milos so they know exactly what is needed to win the race.
Our Power is my second selection as he won some nice races last year. He won the London Gold Cup at Ascot last year over 3 miles before winning the Coral Handicap Trophy at Kempton when running on very strongly late on. This horse always does his best work late on and I expect from 3/2 out to see him coming with a hopefully winning run. He’s had a pipe opener over hurdles too so I expect him to be fit and ready. Sam TD has chosen Stolen Silver to ride out of the two from the yard which in my opinion (having never sat on a horse in my life) is the wrong move. I think Our Power is the stronger the stayer of the two and with a lovely racing weight will be competitive.
Very quickly on a few of the others in the field. I was keen on Kittys Light as I really fancy her for the Grand National this year however Jack Tudor has chosen the 10yo Remastered who finished 2nd in this race last year. That to me makes me think she will be here for a spin round but I expect her to fill the places late on so could be a good EW alternative if people fancy it. I backed Remastered for this race last year and was devastated when he almost got to Le Milos. I think age is against him this year though but do think he will run well until he tires 2 out. Ahoy Senor has a monster battle with top weight to deal with hence the price which for me leaves Monbeg Genius the main threat with his Ultima 3rd franked by Corach Rambler and Fastorslow taking the scalp of Galopin Des Champs for a 2nd time on Sunday.
Newbury 3:25 – Master Chewy 2/1
This horse has improved no end for chasing this year. A runaway 12L winner on his first start and then was narrowly denied last time out when again 12L clear of the pack. Real Stone who re-opposes today was back in 4th that day and I can’t see him making up the 16L deficit here. Elixir De Nutz ran a cracker to win the Haldon Gold Cup however Joe Tizzard said after that was his main target for the year and anything else was a bonus. With 12 stone on his back here I would be very surprised if he came out and won.
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