It’s another big Saturday of jumps horse racing in the UK with the Coral Hurdle at Ascot and Betfair Chase at Haydock. Here are our expert’s picks across both cards.
Real Steel appeals in 1965 Chase
In the 2m 5f Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot (14:05), Real Steel can confirm his potential as a live outsider for the King George over Christmas with victory on debut for new trainer Paul Nicholls. Like many of the horses owed by Sullivan Bloodstock, this one has moved from the Irish stable of Willie Mullins to Ditcheat.
Real Steel has a good record fresh and landed two of his first three starts over fences in each of the last two seasons. A proven performer in the grade, he tops the official ratings from this four-runner field, Although conceding race fitness to his rivals here, a repeat of his fine sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup should see him go well.
The oppositions commands respect, particularly Colin Parker winner Imperial Aura, but the Nicholls stable remains in fine form. Real Steel could be going onto bigger and better things, and is 2/1 with William Hill for this en route to a possible tilt at Kempton.
Call Me Lord can go one better in Coral Hurdle
In the feature Grade 2 Coral Hurdle over almost 2m 4f (14:40), last year’s runner-up Call Me Lord could go one better. It’s disappointing that the field has cut up this year and just three horses go, but Nicky Henderson’s charge should come on for his reappearance.
That came when fourth over roughly this trip in a hot race at Aintree. Call Me Lord has posted strong form going right-handed, but his neck success in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham last December also reads pretty well. The runner-up, Ballyandy, has run two fine races off top-weight when runner-up in competitive handicaps.
With new Nicholls recruit Laurina enduring a disappointing campaign with Mullins last term, and Tom Symonds’s Song For Someone the only other runner, Call Me Lord can get back to winning ways here. He is 6/4 with SportNation to do just that.
Amoola Gold gets Hurst Park vote
In the extended 2m Hurst Park Handicap Chase (15:17), bottom weight Amoola Gold could complete his hat-trick for trainer Dan Skelton. There was a lot to like about the way he toughed things out to earn a Listed win over course and distance at the end of last month.
This race actually represents a drop in class, but Amoola Gold sneaks in at the foot of the weights. Bridget Andrews gave him a fine ride and, although up 6lb for a short-head success, this seven-year-old is in the form of his life. It may not be enough to stop him from going in again.
Some rivals are exposed, while others come here without a run and top weight Magic Saint is trying to back-up a big win at Cheltenham. Amoola Gold looks solid each-way value at 11/2 with Betfair, provided all eight runners jump off.
The Jam Man has big claims at Haydock
In the Grade 3 Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock (14:25), Irish raider The Jam Man can follow-up on a very impressive success over fences. Trained by the shrewd Ronan McNally, this seven-year-old turned the Troytown at Navan into a procession.
The Jam Man just cruised into contention following a patient ride and bolted up by 18 lengths. He now switches to hurdles off 2lb lower than his revised chase mark. McNally has also booked Maxine O’Sullivan for the ride on Merseyside, and she takes a valuable 5lb off with her claim.
This is one the horse the bookies fear as his ante post odds have halved into 11/2 with BetVictor. The Jam Man could easily back up his chase and Flat exploits here in a race that could be run to suit.
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Lostintranslation can retain Betfair Chase crown
Lostintranslation was very impressive when landing the Betfair Chase 12 months ago, so can become the latest horse to win it on multiple occasions (15:00). Trained by Colin Tizzard, this son of Flemensfirth had an ice cool ride from Robbie Power in 2019.
After being dropped out, Lostintranslation stalked his rivals on the way round Haydock. When Power finally did move on him, he closed and came under a ride to lead at the last. There is no reason why Bristol De Mai should reverse that form either.
Clan Des Obeaux has often needed his first run of the season, while Bellshill and Keeper Hill are probably in their own race for fourth place. This is why Lostintranslation is the 5/4 favourite to retain his crown.
Good Boy Bobby the graduation chase bet
In the 2m 5f graduation chase earlier on the card (13:15), Good Boy Bobby looks worth a wager to follow-up on a winning reappearance. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, this Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned seven-year-old only need shaking up to score at Bangor last time out.
Good Boy Bobby has only finished outside the first two once in five starts over fences. That was in Grade 1 company, however. There may also be even more to come from him at this trip after just two tries over 2m 4f.
As Good Boy Bobby has stamina in his pedigree, going up another furlong shouldn’t be a problem. The Twiston-Davies stable has all been among the winners and may be coming to the boil. Odds of 9/2 with William Hill look well worth siding with, especially as the market leader Mister Tommytucker isn’t a fluent jumper.
Flic Ou Voyou can land Listed success
Nicholls has the in-form Flic Ou Voyou up to Listed level in the opening novice hurdle (12:10), and he looks to complete a four-timer. Wind surgery has worked wonders with this horse as he has hit a hat-trick during the early part of the jumps season.
Flic Ou Voyou defied penalties at Newton Abbot and Wincanton following success at Chepstow. Although odds-on on each occasion, he has built up a winning sequence. This demands more, but he has earned an official rating of 137.
While Flic Ou Voyou faces some unexposed rivals, Nicholls has a fine record in this race down the years. Harry Skelton now takes the ride with Harry Cobden down at Ascot, but he started out with the yard. Flic Ou Voyou is thus fancied for his hot streak to continue.
