14:05 Saturday

The Hollow Ginge to Win the Handicap Chase

Having watched the first set of runners return to the home of jump racing on Friday, it’s repeat business on Saturday afternoon as jump racing’s best trainers look to give more of their camp an opportunity to race at Prestbury Park.

At this stage of the season, it can be difficult to predict the field as many horses are being tried and tested for possibly even the first time; however, there’s one horse we’ve picked out with valuable course experience.

THE HOLLOW GINGE came a close 2nd in the ‘What’s Your Thinking Handicap Chase’ over 3m 1f at last year’s renewal. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ nine-year-old takes on the same distance in the 14:05.

Steve Ryder has backed the bay gelding to re-enact last year’s commendable performance, but he expects him to have a better chance carrying less weight. “Coming 2nd last year off the mark of 137, he should hold strong claims off a 10lb lower mark this year.”

Having already shortened from 6/1 into the 7/2 favourite, The Hollow Ginge has the make-up to go one better than last year and win the 888Sport Is Made To Play Handicap Chase.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Half Time Score 0-0 at Stamford Bridge

In recent years, this tie has not only has failed to deliver a winner, but has been one shy of goals in the last four Premier League matches between the two.

Sometimes a draw can be an unfair representation of the performance, with one outfit the better performer, but these two titans have been neck and neck all the way through drawing their last four not only at full-time, but each half-time too.

It’s for this reason that a match draw at 13/5 provides good value; however, such a balanced recent history identifies a low-scoring and tied first half result as another option of value.

Chelsea were toothless against Brentford, while United appear to be emerging as a more solid outfit that shunted Spurs and can deal with the Blues front line for at least the one half.

With both desperate to avoid losing to a rival ‘big six’ side, it’s likely the first half could be tepid and cagey as both look to not give anything away. After all, it’s been 0-0 at half time the last four times Chelsea and Manchester United have met in the league.