Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Skelton’s in Pole Position to Land Saturday Feature

Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Skelton’s in Pole Position to Land Saturday Feature

1.55 Cheltenham This year’s renewal is a typically competitive race, but a few have great profiles and some are well-handicapped, leading us to our six-runner shortlist:  Brelan D’As Having been rerouted from his intended two-mile target after racing was cancelled on the Friday, Brelan D’As ran a blinder over this 2½-mile trip when second in the BetVictor Gold Cup last month and it seems he’s found his niche. However, as good as he was that day and with potential further…

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Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3): We’re Sweet on Candy in the Becher Chase

Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3): We’re Sweet on Candy in the Becher Chase

1.30 Aintree The Becher Chase, run over the Grand National fences of course, is one of the country’s favourite staying handicap chases and with 18 runners declared this year’s renewal looks like being a real cracker. Naturally this is competitive, however we’ve whittled the field down to what we think are the six standouts in the field with the selection looking to have a bit of weight in hand. Ballydine With just seven chases under his belt so far, there…

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Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3): OK Corral to Shoot Down Ladbrokes Trophy Rivals

Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (Grade 3): OK Corral to Shoot Down Ladbrokes Trophy Rivals

3.00 Newbury This is a fiercely competitive renewal and as such, we have managed to get the field down to no less than seven good contenders. Furthermore, we’ve taken the calculated risk of not including such well-fancied runners as Mister Malarky, Cabaret Queen and On The Blindside but we are confident the below lucky 7 are the ones to concentrate on. Brave Eagle Nicky Henderson has such an enviable hand in this race, but Brave Eagle is not the one…

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Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3): Curtis and Hughes to Take the Oscar at Haydock

Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3): Curtis and Hughes to Take the Oscar at Haydock

2.25 Haydock A cracking renewal of this staying hurdle is on the cards with a full field of 17 declared, but we’ve whittled the field down to the following six who should all go well. Ask Ben Not from one of the major yards and not having raced since he was down the field in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March, Ask Ben won’t necessarily be one who is on many people’s lips. Graeme McPherson’s charge…

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Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3): A Bridge Too Far for Benny’s Opposition

Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3): A Bridge Too Far for Benny’s Opposition

3.00 Cheltenham If one of the higher rated horses in this line up can claim victory, then quotes will be shortened for the Champion Hurdle back around Cheltenham in four months’ time. However, with the ground the way it is the handicap system comes into full effect and that has been reflected in the betting which has proven to be wide open.  This is our dirty half-dozen with the ultimate selection set to go off at a nice price. Benny’s…

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BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Head on Down to Springtown for Gold Cup Success

BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Head on Down to Springtown for Gold Cup Success

2.25 Cheltenham With standing water having been evident on the track as recently as Thursday afternoon, races on Saturday promise to be real slogs through the mud and as such we’ve had to consider that in our thinking, along with class and how well handicapped the runners appear to be. On all known evidence, we reckon these are the six to concentrate on in the BetVictor Gold Cup and with betting set to be competitive, there should be some cracking…

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November Handicap: Collide to Smash into Bookies in Flat Finale

November Handicap: Collide to Smash into Bookies in Flat Finale

3.15 Doncaster We’re hoping against hope that the finale of the British flat season gets the go-ahead after some heavy rain around Town Moor in recent days, and with the November Handicap set to go off on heavy ground if the green light is given it presents even more of a headache to punters.  That said, we reckon this half-dozen have it what it takes:  Birds Of Prey This would be some story for the Nicholls camp; eminent National Hunt…

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Sodexho Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Lake to Spring to Ascot Success

Sodexho Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3): Lake to Spring to Ascot Success

3.20 Ascot With a maximum field of 18 going to post and a first prize of almost £57,000 to fight for this is naturally a very competitive event, however it doesn’t look impossible to solve with one or two seemingly ahead of the handicapper. We’ve got the 18 down to a shortlist of six, with the final selection looking pretty good value. Adrien Du Pont Having had a wind operation in the summer its possible we may just see an…

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Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase: Kalashnikov to Trigger Big Season for Murphy

Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase: Kalashnikov to Trigger Big Season for Murphy

3.50 Ayr The 2½-mile Old Roan Chase has only been around since 2004 but has already been won by such leading lights as Kauto Star, Frodon and race favourite Monet’s Garden. It can prove to be an important stepping stone to both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting back here at Aintree in April and this, along with the small matter of £80,000 in prize money, makes this a huge race for trainers, jockeys and owners alike. Here’s…

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Cesarewitch Stakes (Heritage Handicap): Ranch Hand to Lead the Herd Home

Cesarewitch Stakes (Heritage Handicap): Ranch Hand to Lead the Herd Home

4.10 Newmarket After we gave you the heads up on huge gamble Lord North in the Cambridgeshire, we now look to complete the Autumn Double by backing the winner of the £350,000 Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket on Saturday. This 180-year-old marathon two-and-a-quarter mile test features 31 runners and will be run in fairly laborious conditions making it a true exam of the field’s stamina, but we think the we have the horse to do it.  Here’s our shortlisted six against…

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