Ascot 2:10 BGC Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1) (4 y o+) 3m 1f
An ultra competitive renewal of The Long Walk Hurdle kicks off this weeks Scoop6 quest. There could be quite a few punters out after this first leg as there are plenty in with a chance. Nicky Henderson’s pair of runners head the market with the impressive recent Cheltenham winner Punchestowns the slight forecast favourite at time of writing. He carried top weight that day but here is on level weights although the trip is half a mile further. It is a step into the unknown whether he will get it as he’s never raced beyond 2m 5f before. If he lasts home in the softish conditions he has a chance. The other Henderson horse is Duc De Regniere. He won last time in The Long Distance Hurdle when facing 4 others who re-oppose here. That was over 3 miles and the extra furlong should be achievable. Going chasing didn’t suit him but back over hurdles he seems a different beast. No ground concerns for him either and he should go close with AP McCoy in the saddle. Behind Duc De Regniere at Newbury were Mobaasher, Pettifour, Blazing Bailey and Hills Of Aran. Mobaasher and Pettifour have been having some ding dong battles. Pettifour got his head in front in terrific finish at Wetherby in early November then Mobaasher, receiving 4lbs was 1 ½ lengths in front of Pettifour in The Long Distance Hurdle. They will be hard to split again. 4th in that Long Distance Hurdle was Blazing Bailey. He has shown some great things in the past when beating Inglis Drever but has also put in some below par efforts. It depends which Blazing Bailey turns up. If back to his best he could trouble the places. Last years winner Lough Derg is back again. I backed him last year and his make all win was one of my favourite races of last season. I can’t see him having the same run of the race and last season’s attempt at the Order Of Merit may have had a detrimental effect on his future performances. Others of interest are Elusive Dream who Ruby Walsh has jumped off to ride Mobaasher, and recent Aintree winner Serabad. Both have stamina questions to be answered. – VE
Selection: Duc De Regniere
Danger 1: Punchestowns
Danger 2: Mobaasher
2.35 Haydock - JOSEPH HELER CHEESE HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 2) 2m4f
A typical handicap hurdle is in store for the Scoop6, which means that the race is going to be very competitive. Tazbar is the best horse in the race but coming here on seasonal reappearance and having to shoulder the burden of top weight will make this very tough for him. His run on the flat did not go to plan and it showed that he is not a straightforward individual. Award Winner is on good form, having won on both starts this season; I however think he has to be taken on here on his handicap debut. The one I am siding with is Procas De Thaix who comes from the Nicky Henderson yard, he is another on handicap debut but he has been off the track for 269 days and should have improved for having a summer of development. He ran in some classy races as a novice hurdler and as a bumper horse and he has always shown enough to suggest that he can be competitive off a mark of 137. The dangers are likely to be Hibiki and Middleton Dene, as both are fit and have had a recent effort, both have good handicap form and both look fairly treated.
Selection – Procas De Thaix
Danger 1 – Hibiki
Danger 2 – Middleton Dene
2.45 Ascot – THE LADBROKE (A HANDICAP HURDLE) (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) 2miles
The Ladbroke looks an absolute minefield but three horses in the race stand out for me and they are Noble Alan, Group Captain and Squadron. All three are at big prices in the market but all three have massive potential and are all likely to improve for more racing. Squadron has been busy this year including running Crack Away Jack close at Chepstow. He then went on and won at Ascot before running creditably behind Numide and Aigle D’or in the Greatwood Hurdle. He likes a test and he is always willing to pull more out for his jockey. Group Captain is another interesting handicapper who was unlucky last time out when 3rd in a big field handicap. That day if he had jumped the last fluently then he could well have turned his 2 length defeat into victory. He should come on for that run and as such has to be worth a look in the market. Noble Alan is a horse I hold in high regard and he is lightly raced and progressive, and as such looks the type to take a big field handicap at some point.
Selection – Squadron
Danger 1 – Group Captain
Danger 2 – Noble Alan
Newcastle 2:55 WBX.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3 y o+) 2m
A tricky little handicap hurdle to work out here. Joint top weights are Zen Candy and Riquez Dancer. Zen Candy won his last race at long odds on over this trip in soft ground so conditions under foot won’t hamper his chances. His jockey claims a useful 5lbs to ease the burden. Riquez Dancer ran last week at Doncaster when finishing 3rd in testing conditions. If this race hasn’t come around too quick then he has every chance. His jockey claims 3lbs. He is a course and distance winner. Tartan Snow has been campaigned over further distances than this, with limited success. Made a promising effort last time over 2m 2f and could go close. Pagan Starprincess is one who could figure also. Dropped back in trip to 2 miles, she has performed in the conditions in the past. Nelson Du Ronceray has been off the track a while. The David Johnson owned gelding won his last start over this distance. He has a fairly decent weight to carry, helper by Ryan Mania’s 5lbs claim. If fully fit then he has a real chance. Realism has place claims if reproducing his course and distance win from February. – VE
Selection: Nelson Du Ronceray
Danger 1: Zen Candy
Danger 2: Riquez Dancer
Haydock 3:10 Sodexo Presteige Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4 yo+) 3m
An interesting looking Tommy Whittle chase where Jonjo O’Neill saddles Can’t Buy Time who is looking for his 4th win in a row. He is a horse I’ve followed this season and has put in some decent performances. He looks like he gets 3 miles well with a bit more still available if needed. He will need it here if he is to get the 4 timer as he is up against some decent performers. He is a stone better off than top weight D’Argent, who has won over this distance but who needs further than this these days. Another crack at the National may be on his agenda this season and this will be a step on the road, but won’t trouble the places. Idle Talk is another with Aintree possibilities. A classy horse that had a spell of getting rid of his jockey’s. His jumping problems may have been sorted as he managed to get round Aintree this year with the jockey still attached. He is highly weighted and has not won for nearly 3 years. Place at best. Wild Cane Ridge looks a frustrating sort. He’s put in some decent efforts at times, yet also some forgettable ones. If having one of those better days then he could make his 16-1 forecast starting price look massive. Malko De Beaumont could figure if he can last home. He has won of just short of 3 miles but never won beyond that. The ground conditions shouldn’t hamper him and he is lightly weighted. – VE
Selection: Can’t Buy Time
Danger 1: Wild Cane Ridge
Danger 2: Malko De Beaumont
An ultra competitive renewal of The Long Walk Hurdle kicks off this weeks Scoop6 quest. There could be quite a few punters out after this first leg as there are plenty in with a chance. Nicky Henderson’s pair of runners head the market with the impressive recent Cheltenham winner Punchestowns the slight forecast favourite at time of writing. He carried top weight that day but here is on level weights although the trip is half a mile further. It is a step into the unknown whether he will get it as he’s never raced beyond 2m 5f before. If he lasts home in the softish conditions he has a chance. The other Henderson horse is Duc De Regniere. He won last time in The Long Distance Hurdle when facing 4 others who re-oppose here. That was over 3 miles and the extra furlong should be achievable. Going chasing didn’t suit him but back over hurdles he seems a different beast. No ground concerns for him either and he should go close with AP McCoy in the saddle. Behind Duc De Regniere at Newbury were Mobaasher, Pettifour, Blazing Bailey and Hills Of Aran. Mobaasher and Pettifour have been having some ding dong battles. Pettifour got his head in front in terrific finish at Wetherby in early November then Mobaasher, receiving 4lbs was 1 ½ lengths in front of Pettifour in The Long Distance Hurdle. They will be hard to split again. 4th in that Long Distance Hurdle was Blazing Bailey. He has shown some great things in the past when beating Inglis Drever but has also put in some below par efforts. It depends which Blazing Bailey turns up. If back to his best he could trouble the places. Last years winner Lough Derg is back again. I backed him last year and his make all win was one of my favourite races of last season. I can’t see him having the same run of the race and last season’s attempt at the Order Of Merit may have had a detrimental effect on his future performances. Others of interest are Elusive Dream who Ruby Walsh has jumped off to ride Mobaasher, and recent Aintree winner Serabad. Both have stamina questions to be answered. – VE
Selection: Duc De Regniere
Danger 1: Punchestowns
Danger 2: Mobaasher
2.35 Haydock - JOSEPH HELER CHEESE HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 2) 2m4f
A typical handicap hurdle is in store for the Scoop6, which means that the race is going to be very competitive. Tazbar is the best horse in the race but coming here on seasonal reappearance and having to shoulder the burden of top weight will make this very tough for him. His run on the flat did not go to plan and it showed that he is not a straightforward individual. Award Winner is on good form, having won on both starts this season; I however think he has to be taken on here on his handicap debut. The one I am siding with is Procas De Thaix who comes from the Nicky Henderson yard, he is another on handicap debut but he has been off the track for 269 days and should have improved for having a summer of development. He ran in some classy races as a novice hurdler and as a bumper horse and he has always shown enough to suggest that he can be competitive off a mark of 137. The dangers are likely to be Hibiki and Middleton Dene, as both are fit and have had a recent effort, both have good handicap form and both look fairly treated.
Selection – Procas De Thaix
Danger 1 – Hibiki
Danger 2 – Middleton Dene
2.45 Ascot – THE LADBROKE (A HANDICAP HURDLE) (LISTED RACE) (CLASS 1) 2miles
The Ladbroke looks an absolute minefield but three horses in the race stand out for me and they are Noble Alan, Group Captain and Squadron. All three are at big prices in the market but all three have massive potential and are all likely to improve for more racing. Squadron has been busy this year including running Crack Away Jack close at Chepstow. He then went on and won at Ascot before running creditably behind Numide and Aigle D’or in the Greatwood Hurdle. He likes a test and he is always willing to pull more out for his jockey. Group Captain is another interesting handicapper who was unlucky last time out when 3rd in a big field handicap. That day if he had jumped the last fluently then he could well have turned his 2 length defeat into victory. He should come on for that run and as such has to be worth a look in the market. Noble Alan is a horse I hold in high regard and he is lightly raced and progressive, and as such looks the type to take a big field handicap at some point.
Selection – Squadron
Danger 1 – Group Captain
Danger 2 – Noble Alan
Newcastle 2:55 WBX.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3 y o+) 2m
A tricky little handicap hurdle to work out here. Joint top weights are Zen Candy and Riquez Dancer. Zen Candy won his last race at long odds on over this trip in soft ground so conditions under foot won’t hamper his chances. His jockey claims a useful 5lbs to ease the burden. Riquez Dancer ran last week at Doncaster when finishing 3rd in testing conditions. If this race hasn’t come around too quick then he has every chance. His jockey claims 3lbs. He is a course and distance winner. Tartan Snow has been campaigned over further distances than this, with limited success. Made a promising effort last time over 2m 2f and could go close. Pagan Starprincess is one who could figure also. Dropped back in trip to 2 miles, she has performed in the conditions in the past. Nelson Du Ronceray has been off the track a while. The David Johnson owned gelding won his last start over this distance. He has a fairly decent weight to carry, helper by Ryan Mania’s 5lbs claim. If fully fit then he has a real chance. Realism has place claims if reproducing his course and distance win from February. – VE
Selection: Nelson Du Ronceray
Danger 1: Zen Candy
Danger 2: Riquez Dancer
Haydock 3:10 Sodexo Presteige Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4 yo+) 3m
An interesting looking Tommy Whittle chase where Jonjo O’Neill saddles Can’t Buy Time who is looking for his 4th win in a row. He is a horse I’ve followed this season and has put in some decent performances. He looks like he gets 3 miles well with a bit more still available if needed. He will need it here if he is to get the 4 timer as he is up against some decent performers. He is a stone better off than top weight D’Argent, who has won over this distance but who needs further than this these days. Another crack at the National may be on his agenda this season and this will be a step on the road, but won’t trouble the places. Idle Talk is another with Aintree possibilities. A classy horse that had a spell of getting rid of his jockey’s. His jumping problems may have been sorted as he managed to get round Aintree this year with the jockey still attached. He is highly weighted and has not won for nearly 3 years. Place at best. Wild Cane Ridge looks a frustrating sort. He’s put in some decent efforts at times, yet also some forgettable ones. If having one of those better days then he could make his 16-1 forecast starting price look massive. Malko De Beaumont could figure if he can last home. He has won of just short of 3 miles but never won beyond that. The ground conditions shouldn’t hamper him and he is lightly weighted. – VE
Selection: Can’t Buy Time
Danger 1: Wild Cane Ridge
Danger 2: Malko De Beaumont
3.25 Newcastle - WBX.COM NORTHUMBERLAND CHASE (A HANDICAP CHASE) 2m4f
This race is interesting if only because of its competitive nature and most of the 12 runners can be given chances, but the one for me is Akilak. This horse ran so well on seasonal reappearance and loves soft ground, he looks primed to run a big race and the Howard Johnson yard are one of the best in the north. The dangers look to be Just For Men, who runs off bottom-weight whilst Montgermont should run a big race off top-weight. This is a very tough race and many others are entitled to be battling out the finish.
Selection – Akilak
Danger 1 – Montgermont
Danger 2 – Just For Men
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