Whether you’re a National Hunt enthusiast or a fan of the flat, you’re in luck this afternoon as there are four cards to cater to all our racing needs.
Kempton and Chelmsford City host decent all-weather cards, whilst Warwick and Haydock continue with some competitive action over the obstacles. Preference for this afternoon’s placepot picks falls at Haydock Park, due to the expected large dividend.
Leg One: Cinders and Ashes
Given he is currently the outsider of the field, it may be somewhat of a surprise that the nod goes to Cinders and Ashes, however he is worth taking a punt on as he bids to recapture a slice of his old form. The former Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner has had a disrupted career since this Cheltenham success, and form figures of PP8 is unlikely to inspire too much confidence.
However, his last run, when eighth in the Scottish County Hurdle, was a sold return after 324 days off the track, and he is entitled to strip fitter for that effort this afternoon. He is two from two over course and distance and his mark of 140 is extremely lenient, should be able to capture any inkling of his previous form. At the price, he could cause a shock and ensure that the placepot dividend takes an early boost this afternoon.
Leg Two: Josie’s Orders
The old adage of ‘always back the top weight in the handicap, because it’s the best horse’ isn’t always viable, but it could be in our opening two races – as we opt for number one, Josies Orders. Jonjo O’Neill’s seven-year-old is another who arrives with rather uninspiring form of late, but he has steadily been dropped in class and it is impossible to forget the talent he showed last season, where he ended up going off well-backed in the Pertemps at the Festival.
He has been re-fitted with headgear and he is now three-pounds lower than his last winning mark, which suggests he could be ready to strike this afternoon.
Leg Three: Masterful Act
After a slow start for the Dan Skelton yard, Masterful Act came to life with a scintillating seventeen-length victory at Huntingdon last time out, and it would be no surprise to see him defy a seven-pound penalty this afternoon.
He is still eleven-pound well-in and Bridget Andrews retains the ride, ensuring her seven-pound claim is sure to further the eight-year-old’s claims. We have eight runners at the time of writing and it would be somewhat of a surprise should he not manage to at least make the frame, given how favourably treated he looks.
Leg Four: Ambion Wood
Former Grade Three winning hurdler, Ambion Wood, returned from a 617 day absence in a decent race at Exeter last time out. He travelled strongly before making an error and losing his place at the seventh, but that run is sure to have blown the cobwebs away.
He has plenty of ability over the bigger obstacles and looked to be a natural when landing a decent Beginners’’ Chase at Worcester back on his penultimate start back in 2013. It is worth chancing he is back to near full fitness, as he looks to be the class horse in the field. He is a surprisingly large price and Victor Dartnell’s charge can hopefully see us through to leg five.
Leg Five: A Vos Gardes
It is impossible to oppose A Vos Gardes, who lost little in defeat when a taking second behind Different Gravey in a strong Listed race at Huntingdon. The lightly-raced five-year-old looks a star in the making and Charlie Longsdon’s gelding can enhance s his fine reputation with a win at Haydock this afternoon.
He is dropped in class, and although Three Faces West looks an exciting prospect, A Vos Gardes is the one who is set to improve the most, and even a repeat of his last effort should see him make the frame here.
Leg Six: Board of Trade
If we have made it to the final leg, all eyes will be on Board of Trade, who will carry our hopes after he ran out a brave winner on his only start under rules. He seen off the well-thought-of Wishfull Dreaming at Exeter, and he has since been out and landed a Listed race at Cheltenham, showing the form is fairly strong.
The game battling performance was enough to show he was a likeable horse and the fact that the horse who looked to be his main rival today, Gingili, is a non-runner, ensures he is a confident selection in the finale.