Saturday 13th January 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where my focus turns to Warwick where it’s Classic Chase Day. I’ll have several selections there throughout the afternoon, including my pick in the big handicap itself. Make sure to gamble responsibly if you are punting.
12.40: Michael Costello Memorial Handicap Hurdle: My first pick of the day comes in the 12.40 which is a handicap hurdle over two miles. I think that this can go to Klitschko for the team of Alan King and Brendan Powell. He was a winner over hurdles and posted a decent enough effort on chasing debut when finishing third of six at Lingfield back in November, he’s still very unexposed and should build on that run here. It would be disappointing should he not go close in this. Klitschko – 3/1 (Win)
1.15: Wigley Support Fund ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle: Next up it’s the 1.15 which is a maiden hurdle that’s contested over two miles and three furlongs. I find it hard to see past Diamond Ri here who represents Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell. He made a big impression here when winning his bumper back in March by thirteen lengths, and is clearly a horse well-regarded at home. He bumped into Insurrection on hurdling debut when finishing second at Exeter back in November, with that rival going on to place in Grade 2 company. I think that’s the best form on offer here, and if he progresses again he should prove tough to beat. Diamond Ri – 13/8F (Win)
1.49: Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle: We move onto the 1.24 now which is the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle over three miles and a furlong. I’m siding with Kyntara here for the team of Mel Rowley and Charlie Deutsch. He’s really found his feet as of late for his current yard, winning his last two outings impressively with his recent success coming in a seven-length victory at Aintree last month. A six-pound rise might not be enough to stop him and on the soft going he’ll likely encounter here he could go close again. Kyntara – 3/1 (Win)
2.24: Trustatrader Hampton Novices’ Chase: It’s Grade 2 action at 2.24 with the Hampton Novices Chase over three miles. This is a cracking renewal, and a case can be made for all of the market leaders. I’m going with Broadway Boy though who’s currently a 5/2 chance for Nigel Twiston-Davies and Sam Twiston-Davies. I think he’s a proper chaser in the marking and arrives here having won three of his four chase starts, the last two coming within listed and Grade 3 company at Cheltenham. He could still have more progress to do, and I make him a big player. Broadway Boy – 5/2 (Win)
3.00: Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase: The feature race of the day comes up at 3.00 and this is the Classic Chase which is a Premier Handicap contested over three miles and five furlongs. I’m taking a chance with two picks here, the first of which comes in the form of Malina Girl for Gavin Cromwell and Conor Stone-Walsh who takes off five pounds. She bolted up in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham on her penultimate outing before falling last time when going well, she remains on the same mark and can make her presence felt once more here. My second pick is Galia Des Liteaux here for the team of Dan & Harry Skelton. She arrives into handicap company here having successfully campaigned in graded mares events as of late, and she’s on what I think is a very reasonable mark. She’s got class and clearly likes the track, so if getting some luck in the run, could well post a big effort. Malina Girl – 4/1 (Win) & Galia Des Liteaux – 9/1 (Each-Way)
3.35: Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase: My final pick of the afternoon comes in the 3.35 which is the Veterans’ Handicap Chase over three miles. I’ve gone with the twelve-year-old Ramses De Teillee here who’s currently trading at 7/1 for David Pipe and Jack Tudor. He’s not been seen since April but has proved to go well fresh in the past having won a Veteran’s Chase over course and distance on seasonal reappearance back in November of 2022. He’ll contest this off just two pounds higher than that success, and he’s got every chance of going well again. Ramses De Teillee – 7/1 (Each-Way)
