Best bets for the day from Steve Ryder and Oddschecker Unlimited tipsters, as well as key races to follow.
13:28 Haydock
Steve Ryder runs through the key races on 15th February and names his best bets for the day.
There is jumps racing at Ascot, Haydock, Wincanton and Gowran Park on Saturday 15th February while Southwell and Newcastle stage all-weather meetings tonight.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
This looks a competitive renewal of the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle but preference goes to GIVE IT TO ME OJ (best priced at 4/1) whose stable have won this for the past three seasons including with the high-class Salver. He was a 78 rated flat performer so he is rated lower than both Lavender Hill Mob and Gibbs Island in that code but I was encouraged by his hurdling debut at Wincanton.
Give It To Me Oj finished 3rd beaten 5 ½ lengths by East India Dock in October and the form of that run has been boosted by the winner following up in two Grade 2 contests and the runner-up Hot Fuss winning on his next start. The selection has to overcome a 111 day break but he could upset the horses at the top of the market.
13:36 Wincanton
The Kingwell Hurdle should set up perfectly for GOLDEN ACE (best priced at 9/4) who should relish this drop in trip to 2 miles for the first time this season. The Jeremy Scott stable appear to have turned a corner given their poor start to the season which may also be a factor in her finishing 3rd and 4th over intermediate trips at Ascot and Cheltenham. The form of the Relkeel Hurdle received a notable boost when the runner-up Gowel Road won the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on his next start and she finished only four lengths behind him.
Golden Ace’s victory over Brighterdaysahead at Cheltenham last season has been well documented and with Burdett Road the perfect target in this race, she should get back to winning ways over the minimum trip at a course where she was a bumper winner on her debut.
15:15 Haydock
The presence of Royale Pagaille in this oddschecker Grand National Trial means that half the field are out of the handicap. Last year’s winner YEAH MAN (best priced at 4/1) is one horse who will not mind this faster ground with the majority of these wanting softer ground. The Gavin Cromwell trained eight-year-old has won his two starts on good to yielding ground in his career and his second behind course specialist Victtorino in the Silver Cup at Ascot last year on good ground reads well.
Yeah Man has run well to finish 3rd and 4th in the Troytown and Thyestes Chases so far this season and this represents a weaker contest. Sean Flanagan, who rode him to victory in this race last season, comes over for the ride and he looks the one to beat despite running off a 9lb higher mark.
15:37 Ascot
The Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase is the “Gold Cup” each year for PIC D’ORHY (best priced at 13/8) and I will be really disappointed if he were beaten in it. The Paul Nicholls trained ten-year-old has won four of his previous five races at this track with his only defeat coming when 2nd behind Shishkin in this race two years ago. He beat L’Homme Presse, who will be inconvenienced by this better ground and return to a right-handed track, by 5 ½ lengths in this contest last season and I expect a repeat of tactics again this year.
Pic D’Orhy looked workmanlike in his victory here on his reappearance but he also had on his reappearance last season and he has been kept fresh for his repeat bid.
