*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Kempton 13.10 Espoir De Romay
ITV coverage gets under way at Kempton with a handicap chase over an extended 2m4f. This is wide open. ESPOIR DE ROMAY has a big weight to hump but was caught a tartar at Haydock last time and might be good enough to still win. The ground that day was heavy and he goes in it but the Kim Bailey gelding has good form on this kind of surface so should give David Bass a fine spin.
Chepstow 13.25 Nassalam
ITV coverage at Chepstow gets under way with the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle over 2m. Weather permitting, NASSALAM looks hard to stop for Gary Moore and son Jamie even though this is a decent heat. The Dream Well gelding has looked good twice at Fontwell and Chepstow should be the perfect track for him to skip out and make all Goshen style.
Kempton 13.45 Slate House
Now a handicap chase over 3m. If the first was hard this is close to impossible! SLATE HOUSE has had a wind operation since a terrible run at Cheltenham when he looked to have a fine chance. He is well handicapped for Colin Tizzard if anywhere near his best and he goes on this ground. You take a huge chance but I’ll risk it with Jonjo O’Neill on top.
Wincanton 14.05 Protektorat
Weather permitting, a mammoth event in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Dipper Novices’ Chase over 2m4f. Hard to get away from PROTEKTORAT who has to give 3lb away but who skipped around Cheltenham last time for Harry and Dan Skelton. If in the same form should be hard to stop.
Kempton 14.20 McFabulous
Class stuff here with the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle over 2m5f. This looks to be the ideal trip of MCFABULOUS and I take him to get back to winning ways for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. He was far from disgraced behind Thyme Hill and Paisley Park when third at Newbury last time.
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READ MORE: Ruby Walsh picks 5 to fly at Kempton on Saturday
Wincanton 14.35 Slate House
A handicap chase over 2m4f. Slightly sitting on the fence here as I don’t know which of the two races I have him in he will go. But, once again SLATE HOUSE has had a wind operation since a terrible run at Cheltenham when he looked to have a fine chance. He is well handicapped for Colin Tizzard if anywhere near his best and he goes on this ground. You take a huge chance but I’ll risk it with Jonjo O’Neill on top.
Kempton 14.55 Imperial Aura
Now a Grade 2 chase over an extended 2m4f. A decent heat but the very likeable IMPERIAL AURA will be tough to stop for Kim Bailey and David Bass. The Cheltenham Festival winner goes from strength to strength and can go from the front or sit off the pace which should be decent. Was really good at Ascot last time and hard to stop in the same form.
Chepstow 15.10 Lord Du Mesnil (E/W)
Now the huge betting event that is the Welsh Grand National over an extended 3m6f. Stamina key! LORD DU MESNIL loves the mud and extreme distances so should have an eachway chance under Paul O’Brien who takes off 3lb for Richard Hobson. My hope had a spin over hurdles first time this season and then was never going to have the pace for the Sefton at Aintree. This is much more his thing and while he can jump a bit right his second in the National Hunt Chase suggests stamina is no issue.
Kempton 15.30 Misty Whisky (E/W)
For many one of the bigger betting races of the day in the Listed Lanzarote Hurdle over 2m4f. Very hard! MISTY WHISKY is going to find this a lot harder than two wins at Uttoxeter and Ludlow but is at the right end of the handicap for Harry Fry. The fact Lorcan Murtagh takes off 3lb is a bonus and a racing weight of just under 10st looks sexy to me. Must have an eachway chance if still in good form.
Wincanton 15.45 Molineaux
And finally a handicap chase over nearly 2m. MOLINEAUX has been knocking on the door and it might open once again here for Colin Tizzard and Jonjo O’Neill Jr. His run at Ascot three efforts ago and Ludlow last time put him bang in the mix.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
Matt Chapman’s tips for Saturday’s racing
Kempton 13:10 Espoir De Romay
Chepstow 13:25 Nassalam
Kempton 13:45 Slate House
Wincanton 14:05 Protektorat
Kempton 14:20 McFabulous
Wincanton 14:35 Slate House
Kempton 14:55 Imperial Aura
Chepstow 15:10 Lord Du Mesnil (E/W)
Kempton 15:30 Misty Whisky (E/W)
Wincanton 15:45 Molineaux
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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