Saturday 11th November 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where it’s Elite Hurdle Day and I’ve got several selections to share with you from Wincanton. As ever, if you are punting make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
1.50: Boodles “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase: We kick things off with the 1.50 at Wincanton which is a Grade 2 Novices Chase over two miles and four furlongs. This is all about Knappers Hill for me who currently heads the betting for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden, he’s clear on ratings from the rest of his rivals here on his hurdling form, and it’s very likely that he’ll build on his chasing debut where he finished second at Cheltenham last month. He also won the Elite Hurdle here last year. Knappers Hill – 4/6 (Win)
2.25: Badger Beer Handicap Chase: It’s competitive handicap action at 2.25 with the Badger Beer Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong. I like the chances of Threeunderthrufive here who’s another representative for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He can be quite a tricky customer, however, he posted one of his best efforts to date when he was last seen when finishing fourth in the Scottish Grand National back in April. This race isn’t as deep as this, and he’ll contest it off the same mark. If he’s firing on all cylinders I think he could go close. Threeunderthrufive – 7/2 (Win)
3.00: Elite Hurdle: The Elite Hurdle is set to take place at 3.00 and we have five runners currently going to post in the Grade 2 event which is ridden over a mile and seven furlongs. It’s more of the same for me here as I think this can be another one for Nicholls and Cobden with Rubaud who heads the betting after an impressive win at Kempton last month within listed company. He also got the better of the current second favourite Hansard by fifteen lengths last season, and despite being worse off at the weights now that’s a big gap to close. If he turns up in the same form as he did last time out, he’ll be very tough to beat. Rubaud – 5/6 (Win)
3.32: Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle: My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes at 3:32 which is a Mares’ Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I’ve sided with Vicki Vale here for Dan Skelton and Tristan Durrell. She progressed into a useful mare last season, winning twice and placing twice in six outings and she comes into this race on what I think is a very tempting mark on her handicap debut, as she’s effectively running off 113 with her riders claim. I think she’s better than that, and if that’s the case she should be going close. Vicki Vale – 5/1 (Win)
