What a week at Cheltenham we have all had, but the racing show goes on despite Coronavirus and the end of the Festival and there are seven races to get stuck into Saturday from Uttoxeter and Kempton on ITV.
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Let’s get straight to it, and the 1.50pm at Uttoxeter is a handicap hurdle for amateurs over nearly three miles. This is wide open but surely we have to get a run from SOME CIRCUS who is super consistent for Donald McCain and ridden by his daughter Abbie. My hope has never been to this track but stays very well and should be in the frame at the very least.
Next up at Uttoxeter is the 2.25pm, a handicap chase for novices’ over three miles. This might be the day for SAM’S ADVENTURE, having his second run after a wind operation for Brian Ellison. Ridden by Henry Brooke, Sam has been second on three of his last four starts and did well at Newcastle last time. Has a big chance.
The 3.00pm at Uttoxeter is a handicap hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. Wow – what a tough one. I’m having a few quid each-way on INFORMATEUR for Sue Smith and Henry Brooke. He was a fine winner at Sedgefield last time and had run well at Haydock on his two previous outings. Soft ground is no problem at all.
And finally at Uttoxeter, the 3.35pm is the big one of the day, the Midlands Grand National over four and a quarter miles. I expect a big each-way run here from PETITE POWER (5/1) for Fergal O’Brien and Liam Harrison. What my hope does is stay all day, and while he might be a bit high in the handicap now he has every chance of getting in the places with his stamina alone.
Meanwhile, over jumps at Kempton ITV show the 2.05pm, a handicap hurdle over 2m5f. MCFABULOUS should have a huge chance here. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, the recent Market Rasen winner is lightly raced and open to much improvement for the champion handler.
There’s a handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs at 2.40pm at Kempton. This is so hard, but I’ll take AIR HORSE ONE to bounce back from a bad run last time to get in the mix for Harry Fry and Darragh O’Keeffe. He was a fine winner at Ffos Las earlier in the campaign.
And finally at Kempton a handicap chase over an extended two and a half miles at 3.15pm. Another really competitive event, and I’ll try with GOOD MAN PAT who is down in the handicap for Alan King after a disappointing season. His effort at Doncaster was particularly poor last time, but I just have a feeling he might do a bit better here. He will have to!
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
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