Sam Turner's ITV Racing Tips

The Berkshire venue is another track where heavy rain could strike and deteriorating ground would arguably count against Copain De Classe who is yet to confirm his stamina at today’s trip. With that in mind it could be worth chancing BENATAR (Best price 5-1) who bumped into some smart  novices last year over hurdles, not least Finian’s Oscar in an Aintree Grade One on his final start of the campaign. A point winner already, the well-regarded selection goes well on soft ground and on right-handed tracks and his yard love a winner at this venue so he could prove the answer to an intriguing race.

There is no doubting the class act in this field with La Bague Au Roi returning to action however the prospect of deteriorating ground would put a question mark against her chance and LADY BUTTONS (Best price 15-2) could be the one to benefit if the rains arrive. A decent bumper winner at this venue earlier in her career, an injury halted the progress of the selection but she was nursed back to form in style by her handler last term and should strip fitter for a recent spin on the flat. Lady Buttons adores soft ground and doesn’t have a great deal to find on official ratings to trouble La Bague Au Roi.
 

QUITE BY CHANCE (Best price 6-1) was produced fit and well to land this race 12 months ago and could be poised to repeat the trick off a 9lb higher mark today. The selection’s critics would suggest his season rather tailed off after Christmas, however the eight-year-old was set some stiff tasks and it is worth noting he chased home Sire De Grugy here before finishing an honourable fourth after being badly hampered in a warm Cheltenham handicap before the turn of the year. Given his success a season ago, it would be no surprise to learn connections have had this race on their mind for while and, with Marracudja needing to prove a stiff two miles on easy ground is ideal, Quite By Chance gains the nod.

Lil Rockerfeller sets a strong standard having finished runner-up in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in March, however his record after breaks in excess of 140 days reads 4333 so he may not be one to hammer at a short price. With this in mind, WHOLESTONE (Best price 7-2) could be the call given he has the benefit of a recent run at Chepstow in a hot handicap. He too ran well at the festival when third to Penhill in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle and could be some value to make his fitness tell given the way he travelled before a lack of fitness told on his comeback.
 
Wholestone 1pt win @ 7-2

A good number of Alan King’s horses have looked to need their seasonal reappearances so this could be a good opportunity for ELGIN (Best price 7-1) to shine with that initial outing under his belt. The selection was highly tried as a novice having finished seventh in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and it is worth recalling he chased home the highly talented, but ill-fated Neon Wolf at Haydock on deep ground last term. The selection looked like the run would bring him on at Chepstow in a strong handicap last time and he could see of the challenge of Jenkins who looks well handicapped at present.  

The redoubtable Nigel Twiston-Davies took the wraps off two returning chasers with considerable success last weekend as Cogry and Foxtail Hill dismissed any fitness concerns on their seasonal reappearances with tenacious Cheltenham victories. I am hoping it could be more of the same for the Gloucestershire handler who saddles BRISTOL DE MAI (Best price 10-1) and Blaklion in the Yorkshire feature with narrow preference for the former given the overnight forecast.

Conditions for the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January were deep and Bristol De Mai produced one of the premier handicap performances of recent seasons to destroy his field by upwards of 22 lengths, barely coming off the bridle to do so. Wetherby could see five millimetres of overnight rain which would play to the strengths of the selection which boasts a decent record fresh and looks a value bet to upset Cue Card and Coneygree, who appear to have the Betfair Chase at Haydock later this month as their primary early-season target.

THOMAS BROWN (Best price 8-1) boasts an extraordinary record on his seasonal return so could be the answer to a tough heat for punters providing conditions don’t become desperate. The gelding has won following breaks of 227, 224 and 210 days in the past so race fitness shouldn’t be an issue and his record at today’s track reads 12 so this race may well have been the plan for a while. There is every chance Ludlow scorer Braqueur D’Or hasn’t stopped improving yet while the same comment applies to Go Conquer who beat a subsequent winner at Fontwell in good style. However, Thomas Brown is useful when on song and could still be progressing himself.