Horse Racing Betting Tips: Jefferson has been Waiting Patiently to unleash her aeroplane
WHAT a strange week that was. Last Thursday racing was suspended due to the equine influenza outbreak and there were concerns that next month’s Cheltenham Festival could be in trouble.
Thankfully the show is now back on the road and we’re blessed with a proper Super Saturday tomorrow.
The ITV4 cameras will be showing action from a nine-race Ascot card, Haydock’s Grand National Trial meeting and Presenting Percy’s first start over fences this season in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park.
It’s a veritable feast with something for everyone, although, as is often the case, the very best is saved until last.
The Betfair Ascot Chase (3.55pm) is the only Grade One event this weekend and it looks an intriguing affair.
WAITING PATIENTLY is undoubtedly one of the most appropriately named horses in training, as his trainer Ruth Jefferson has been doing exactly that for quite some time.
Prior to his incredibly unlucky unseat in the King George when hampered by Bristol De Mai, the son of Flemensfirth was unbeaten in six starts over fences, including this very race 12 months ago.
The reason we haven’t seen him very often is because he needs the ground to be at least good-to-soft due to his fragile legs.
Although it’s been sunny all week, there should still be enough dig underfoot for him to take part and I think he’s a great bet at 7/4 with Coral.
The eight-year-old is one of the UK’s most exciting chasers and he may just hold a class edge tomorrow.
Paul Nicholls’ duo Cyrname and Politologue are the big dangers, with the former a hugely impressive handicap winner over course and distance last month and the latter beating Charbel in a Grade Two chase here in November.
Of the two, I’d marginally favour Politologue, as he has done it in graded company, but I just don’t think he’s as good a horse as Waiting Patiently.
Everyone involved should be congratulated for managing to rearrange both the Betfair Hurdle (3.20pm) and the Betfair Denman Chase (2.45pm) following last weekend’s Newbury abandonment.
While the Denman Chase looks a penalty kick for Clan Des Obeaux with no Native River in the field, many of those due to run in the Betfair Hurdle last week are turning up here.
My selection last week was Monsieur Lecoq, but he is unable to run due to the new vaccination regulations.
In any case, the ground isn’t going to be anywhere near as bad as it was at Newbury and I’m finding it hard to look past AL DANCER for Nigel Twiston- Davies.
There are some Ascot specialists in the field and even though this six-year-old has never run at the Berkshire track, he won at Carlisle earlier in the season so shouldn’t have a problem going right-handed.
No bigger than 11/1 for next month’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he will need to be winning this if he has any chance there, and he is worth backing here at 3/1 to see off the likes of Getaway Trump, Lisp and Didtheyleaveuoutto.
Up at Haydock, the big race of the day is the William Hill Grand National Trial (3.35pm) where I like the look of top weight YALA ENKI.
Venetia Williams’ nine-year-old ground his rivals into submission in this event 12 months ago, beating Blaklion by an incredible 54 lengths.
He arrives tomorrow 10lbs higher in the weights, but promising apprentice Hugh Nugent takes off 7lbs so technically he’s off a similar mark.
His third behind Elegant Escape in the Coral Welsh Grand National last time was excellent and he looks a solid each-way bet here at 8/1 with Ladbrokes.
Earlier on the card, CLYNE can take the William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (2.25pm) for Evan Williams.
He’s had a couple of tough tasks this campaign, but ran very well to be second to Unowhatimeanharry in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November.
This doesn’t look the strongest Grade Two, with Yanworth probably the one to beat if lining up. He’ll be making his first start since last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle and Williams’ runner is preferred.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Clyne 2.25pm Haydock
Al Dancer 3.20pm Ascot
Yala Enki e/w 3.35pm Haydock
Waiting Patiently 3.55pm Ascot