Frank Hickey’s best ITV Racing bets:
Haydock 14:05 – Erne River
Ascot 14:25 – Revels Hill
Haydock 14:40 – Fortescue
Ascot 15:00 – Fifty Ball
Wincanton 15:12 – Knappers Hill
Ascot 15:35 – Fakir Doudairies
Haydock 14:05 – Erne River
Erne River has had a wind operation since his second at Doncaster off 140 in December on his first start at 3m. He’s very lightly raced for an eight year old and he’s had four starts over hurdles and five starts over fences. He went off close to favourite for the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices Chase at Aintree last April when falling.
He was beaten on his hurdles debut but then won two novices before that close second at Doncaster. His best form is at Doncaster and Wetherby, so the flat track at Haydock should suit and the fact the ground isn’t heavy probably is a positive also.
Ascot 14:25 – Revels Hill
Cap Du Nord won the Coral Trophy at Kempton off 127 this time last year and is now back on 127 and ran really well in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last time off 125, when a length second to Coopers Cross. Revels Hill ran a cracker over 2m5f on his reappearance here in November which would be sharp enough for him.
He went off the 2/1 favourite of the London National next time but was badly hampered by a faller at the 8th fence. He finished fourth beaten by less than 10l, which was a fair effort in the circumstances. He has won over 3m4f and good ground is no issue. I’m pretty sure he is capable of rating higher than his current mark of 137.
Haydock 14:40 – Fortescue
I thought it was interesting that Fortescue is skipping the Swinley Chase which he won last year to come here but he beat Fiddlerontheroof in that race last year off a mark of 143 and previous to that, he had been third in the Peter Marsh here over 3m1f on soft ground just 3l behind Royal Pagaille and Sam Brown, with Remastered back in fourth. That was a strong renewal of the race and it showed that Fortescue can act at Haydock.
He was staying on strongly that day also, so the step up to this trip should really suit him too. He was a big eyecatcher in the Becher when way out the back but staying on strongly to finish a never nearer 10l fourth.
He pulled up at Chepstow in the Welsh National but returns with the Henry Daly yard in form (3-11 and 27% the last two weeks). He looks a really solid each-way play at a double figure price with the enhanced place terms on offer.
WELCOME TO PP NEWS: NEW TO US? CLICK HERE FOR OUR £/€20 SIGN-UP OFFER
Ascot 15:00 – Fifty Ball
Zoffany Bay was well backed during the week on his first start for Peter Fahey from France but he hasn’t run in nearly two years. Fifty Ball comes in here off the back of just one start this season, when pulled up in the Lanzarote, which was a bit of a slog considering only four out the 20 runners finished. Chasing didn’t really work out for him last season and he went back hurdling and probably needed the run in the Betfair Hurdle to get the eye back in but was then second at Sandown off 127 and easily won at Ascot over 2m5f here last March.
That brought his Ascot record over hurdles to 2-2 (he was well beaten in a Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot). He was second in the 2021 Betfair Hurdle off 131 and Gary Moore has his string in fine form, which is currently 8-35 (23%), and on Thursday he had three winners from his five runners.
Wincanton 15:12 – Knappers Hill
Knappers Hill is conceding 2lbs to First Street and I Like To Move It. He did win the Elite hurdle here in November and decent ground is no issue for him.
Ascot 15:35 – Fakir Doudairies
Shishkin of old would win this but I was very disappointed with him in the Tingle Creek. He has had his wind done and he wears a first time tongue tie. Pic D’Orhy is improving but this is a good deal tougher than the Grade 2’s he has been winning and he is not much bigger in price than Fakir D’Oudairies.
Fakir D’Oudairies won this race last year and has won the Melling Chase the last two years. He was unfortunate to bump into Allaho on a number of occasions. He might have been fortunate to win the Horse & Jockey Chase at Thurles last time when Haut En Couleurs fell at the last but he was conceding 9lbs and was conceding 6lbs to French Dynamite. He’s still only an eight year old and is the most solid option here.
Frank Hickey’s best ITV Racing bets:
Haydock 14:05 – Erne River
Ascot 14:25 – Revels Hill
Haydock 14:40 – Fortescue
Ascot 15:00 – Fifty Ball
Wincanton 15:12 – Knappers Hill
Ascot 15:35 – Fakir Doudairies
STUDY THE FORM & GET ALL THE RESULTS
- CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY
- WE HAVE ALL THE HORSE RACING FAST RESULTS YOU’LL EVER WANT
READ MORE
- Get all the latest Horse Racing News and Racing Tips at Paddy Power News
- Cheltenham Tips: Ruby Walsh’s 8/1 fancy for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle non-runner money back
- Cheltenham tips: Four races to light up the Cheltenham Festival
- Cheltenham Tips: Matt Chapman’s Cheltenham Racing Tips
- Cheltenham Tips: Paul Jacob’s Cheltenham Value Betting Tips
- Cheltenham Festival: Paddy Power’s now Non Runner Money Back on ALL races
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
