Saturday 30th December 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where I’ll be focusing on some competitive action up at Haydock where it’s the concluding meeting of the year, with the feature event being The Last Fling Chase. I’ll have several selections throughout the card so make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting.
12.15: Betfred Nifty 50 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle: The opener at Haydock is the 12.15 which is a conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle over three miles and half of a furlong. This can go to Hill Of Tara for Venetia Williams and Ned Fox who takes off three pounds, he’s had a fine start to the campaign, winning twice before finishing second at Southwell last month and still looks to be on a workable mark. The ground shouldn’t hold any concerns either. Hill Of Tara – 13/8F (Win)
12.50: Betfred TV EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle: Next up it’s the 12.50 which is a novice hurdle that’s contested over a mile and seven and a half furlongs. It’s hard to get away from Norman Fletcher here who currently heads the betting for Nigel Twiston-Davies and James Turner who takes off seven pounds. He comes here having won his last two starts with his most recent success coming on heavy ground at Aintree when winning comfortably by just under four lengths. He should be hard to beat again here under his rider’s claim. Norman Fletcher – EvsF (Win)
1.25: Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase: The feature race of the day comes up at 1.25 which is the Last Fling Handicap Chase that’s ridden over three miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Fantastikas here who’s currently trading at 9/2 and is another one for Nigel Twiston-Davies and seven-pound claimer James Turner. He ran his best race for a while last time out at Ludlow earlier this month, when finishing three-quarters of a length second to Hidden Heroics, and looks on a favourable mark under the rider’s claim. Fantastikas – 9/2 (Win)
2.00: Betfred Goals Galore Novices’ Handicap Chase: Moving onto the 2.00 which is more handicap chase action this time over three miles and one and a half furlongs. This looks like a good opportunity for Southern Sam who represents Richard Bandey and Harry Bannister, he posted a very solid effort on seasonal reappearance at Wetherby when finishing third of nine behind East Street at Wetherby last month on heavy going, his jockey also dropped his whip that day. If coming on from that run he could have a big say. Southern Sam – 9/4F (Win)
2.35: Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap Hurdle: We go over the smaller obstacles at 2.35 with a handicap hurdle over two miles and three furlongs. I’ve chanced Punta Del Este to get his first win in Britain here for Dan Skelton and Tristan Durrell who takes off five pounds. He placed last time out in a competitive Sandown handicap and will contest this race off the same mark, the testing conditions should suit him and if getting some luck he should have every chance. Punta Del Este – 7/2 (Win)
3.10: Betfred ‘Hot Shots’ Handicap Chase: My final selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.10 which is a handicap chase that’s set to be ridden over two miles and four furlongs. I like Regal Blue here who’s currently a 9/2 chance in the betting for Jonjo O’Neil and Nick Schofield. He was a decent third on his chase debut at Leicester last time out and should build on that effort here, albeit in a stronger contest. The ground shouldn’t be an issue, as he won on heavy as a pointer, and also on soft over hurdles. Regal Blue – 9/2 (Win)
