Saturday 16th March 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Midlands Grand National Day
Feature Meetings: Uttoxeter & Kempton
1.35 Kempton: Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase: My first pick for this week’s Saturday Preview is the 1.35 at Kempton which is a handicap chase over two miles and two furlongs. I think Issar d’Airy has a great chance here Gary Moore and David Noonan. He comes into the race having won his last two outings with the form of the last victory getting a significant boost with the runner-up I’d Like To Know coming out and bolting up next time out. He’s the one they all have to beat. Issar d’Airy – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
2.10 Kempton: Read Nicky Henderson’s Exclusive Unibet Blog Handicap Hurdle: We stay at Kempton for my second selection of the afternoon and that comes in the 2.10 which is a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. I like Irish Hill here for the team of Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He’s not won this season, however, he has produced some solid efforts in competitive contests, most recently when finishing fifth of sixteen in a competitive Ascot handicap. He remains on the same mark here and should be competitive at the very minimum here. Irish Hill – 9/2 (Win)
2.25 Uttoxeter: bet365 Handicap Hurdle: Moving over to Uttoxeter now for my third pick of the day and this is the 2.25 which is a handicap hurdle over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’ve sided with White Rhino here who’s currently a 6/1 chance for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero and the mount of Henry Brooke. He’s been in fine form this term and will have no issue with the heavy surface having won well on testing ground earlier in the campaign, he’s also got form over three miles and if he continues to be in the same form he’s got every chance of going close again. White Rhino – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.00: bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase: The feature race of the afternoon comes up at 3.00 which is the Midlands Grand National that’s a Premier Handicap over four miles and two furlongs. I’ve got a dreadful record in this race, therefore, I’m trying my hand with two fancies with the first of these coming in the form of Mr Incredible for Willie Mullins and Brian Hayes. He’s been off since unseating in the Grand National last year but has gone well fresh in the past and connections clearly believe he’ll handle the trip. If getting a clear round I think he’s got a great chance. My other pick is Guetapan Collognes for Charlie Longsdon and Richie McLernon. He was a remote third in this last year, however, I think he’s progressed somewhat this term, when last seen he was staying on over three miles and five furlongs in the Classic Chase at Warwick and I think he can have a say here. Mr Incedible – 11/2 (Each-Way) & Guetapan Collognes – 7/1 (Each-Way)
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