*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
13:50 Galway – Real Steel
This kind of intermediate trip over an extended two and three quarter miles offers a massive chance for the nine-year-old to return to winnings ways.
Formerly with Willie Mullins and then Paul Nicholls, the son of Loup Breton has always threatened to win a Grade One event over a distance of ground. None more so than when bounding down the hill for the final time in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup before failing to last home up the final tough climb at the Prestbury Park track and eventually finishing an honourable six of the 12 runners behind Al Boum Photo.
Since then he has run nine times with his best performance coming when third to Imperial Aura in the 1965 Chase at Ascot. But training problems have beset him since then and he has now moved to Eric McNamara. However, there was plenty to like about his comeback run when a never-nearer fourth to Pat Coyne over this trip at Listowel. Set to race off the same mark here of 130, I fancy he has a cracking chance of taking the scalps of Flash de Touzaine and the five-year-old Mica Malpic before possibly being raised into graded company again.
14:30 Carlisle – Millers Bank
The Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase has been won by some classy fencers in the past, Fiddlerontheroof hosing up last year, and this afternoon’s renewal looks a cracking renewal with several of these likely to make their mark in graded company later this season.
The most interesting entry is Beauport, making his chasing debut, after a cracking season over hurdles last year. The Nigel Twiston-Davies charge has won three from nine starts over timber, placed on no less than another five occasions. However, like Corach Rambler and Burrows Diamond, he looks as though three miles will be his best trip in time.
However, the selection has a high cruising speed and this stiff two and a half is his domain. True, he came a cropper at the opening obstacle in last Sunday’s Old Roan Chase, but he had a good run around afterwards and should have fitness very much onside. Normally a fluent jumper, I expect him to have too much speed for his staying rivals here.
-
PICK 5 SATURDAY WINNERS AND 25 GRAND COULD BE YOURS
15:23 Huntingdon – Monte Igueldo
There may only be five entered for this two mile handicap chase, but this still looks a competitive event for the class four level for horses rated 0-115. The top weight, Fulgurix, was a game winner over Miss Amelia of a slightly lesser event at Hexham last time out and I loved the way that the seven-year-old stuck his neck out to win by three quarters of a length. However, a 7lbs penalty looked more than harsh for that success and he will need a significant step forward here to follow up.
That could leave the way open for the Oliver Greenall charge who was merely marking time when running over hurdles (one from eight in that sphere) and now looks a likely sort making his chasing debut here. That only win came first time out this season when he finished with real relish to get up on the line to land his maiden hurdle at Worcester last month, but he is really made to jump a fence and this good ground is right up his street. He is a fascinating young chaser and gets the nod over the top weight and Getaman.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
15:40 Carlisle – Rath An Luir
This extended three and a quarter handicap chase looks to have a lovely betting shape to it if all nine runners stand their ground and the two course winners could very well dominate proceedings. Nicky Richards’ Houston Texas is tightly matched up with Mount Melleray on his final start at the track last year, but has the greater scope to improve of the pair.
With the classy Secret Reprieve at the top of the handicap, but likely to need his first start for 253 days, RATH AN LUIR is set to run off a lovely racing weight in this stamina sapping event and the nine-year-old looks a very solid each-way play.
Unbeaten in two outings at the Cumbrian track at two and a half and three miles, the latter off a mark of 129, he then found a rating in the mid 130’s too hot to handle in four subsequent outings. With a good record fresh and now dropped to a hugely attractive 120, the nine-year-old can make the most of the huge chunk of weight he is set to receive from Evan Williams’ runner with the lightly weighted dour stayer Mount Melleray another danger.
Paul Jacobs’ Sunday tips
13:50 Galway – Real Steel
14:30 Carlisle – Millers Bank
15:23 Huntingdon – Monte Igueldo
15:40 Carlisle – Rath An Luir
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
STUDY THE FORM IN STYLE & GET ALL THE RESULTS YOU NEED FIRST
- CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY
- WE HAVE ALL THE HORSE RACING FAST RESULTS YOU’LL EVER WANT
GET THE BEST HORSE RACING TIPS TODAY AT PADDY POWER NEWS
- Horse Racing tips: Paul Jacobs’ 10 to follow this National Hunt season
- When is the Breeders’ Cup 2022? Keeneland dates, races and post times
- When is the Melbourne Cup? Flemington date, start time, runners and betting
- When is the Paddy Power Gold Cup? Cheltenham date, start time, runners and betting