A round-up of five horses it could pay to follow this weekend and for the rest of the season.
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Saturday 13:50 Ascot
PYM has bounced back well this season after a disappointing run at the festival last year, not finishing outside the top two and winning his last two races. It seems as though Nicky Henderson may have found his gelding’s optimal distance at 3 miles, so the RSA Chase looks the most likely option for the seven-year-old. A win at Ascot and the 20/1 available will be long gone.
Saturday 13:44 Gowran Park
CILAOS EMERY is three from four chasing and reverts to hurdles at Gowran Park following a tumble in the Dublin Chase at the start of the month. Willie Mullins’ eight year old should have too much class for the rest of the field and whilst it is thought he was en route the Champion Chase, an impressive performance could see him supplemented for the Champion Hurdle.
Saturday 15:15 Haydock
It was a joy to watch how well VINTAGE CLOUDS cleared the fences at Haydock and destroyed the field in difficult conditions. Whilst Lord Du Mesnil beat the ten-year-old easily prior to that, he was nowhere near as fluent and he has to be taken seriously on his previous run. Another effort at the Grand National possibly awaits.
Saturday 15:35 Ascot
All the talk around the Betfair Ascot Chase will be focused on Cyrname but it will perhaps be even more interesting to see how RIDERS ONTHE STORM fares against the 177-rated chaser. Riders Onthe Storm has been impeccable since joining the Twiston-Davies yard and a strong effort will be put him in good stead for a crack at the Ryanair in March.
Sunday 13:50 Navan
TIGER ROLL needs no introduction and looks as though he is being set up for exact same preparation for the National he was given last year, where he won the Boyne Hurdle and was available at an incomprehensible price of 25/1. You’ll get no such luck this time as Gordon Elliott’s star stayer will certainly go off favourite for
