Saturday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Ascot, Wincanton and Haydock on 17 February 2024.
ASCOT
Race 2 – KILBEG KING 3/1
KILBEG KING was firmly put in his place by Il Est Francais on Boxing Day, beaten 14 and a half lengths in third after trying to stay with the budding superstar through the early exchanges.
There does not appear to be a horse of his stature in the Sodexho Live! Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase though, so Kilbeg King has every chance in what looks a competitive event.
Race 3 – RARE EDITION 6/1
RARE EDITION placed third at Doncaster before scoring at lower standard two mile handicap hurdle at Kempton. Going well and rates a leading chance with Harry Cobden on board.
Former course winner Monviel was below par when a last of four here attempting a 2m3f novices limited handicap chase in November, but is likely to enjoy revisiting hurdles.
Rambo found success by an impressive eight and a half lenghts tackling a similar level 2m5f handicap hurdle at Newbury, so should be on the shortlist.
That list should also include Irish Hill, who won this race last year and is worth a second look for an each-way punt according to our trends expert.
Race 4 – THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE 9/2
THREEUNDERTHRUFIVE can finally get off the mark for the campaign in the Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Swinley Handicap Chase after two cracking second-placed runs this term.
Others to consider include Victtorino, who placed in a G3 race in France in June 22, and has won twice at Ascot already this season.
Iron Bridge was second in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and holds claims, while Shan Blue could feature after a solid third in a 2m3f handicap chase here during December.
Race 5 – L’HOMME PRESSE 20/21
Grade One glory is on offer in the Betfair Ascot Chase and L’HOMME PRESSE really should be winning in Berkshire if he is to be a credible Gold Cup challenger to Galopin Des Champs.
He made a perfect return from a year on the sidelines with victory at Lingfield last month, making use of a 4lb pull to comfortably account for Protektorat and show his ability is undimmed.
This two-mile-five-furlong trip will be the shortest distance he has tackled for a while, but he was a Grade One winner over two and a half miles as a novice, so certainly does not lack for toe.
WINCANTON
Race 2 – RUBAUD 3/1
Paul Nicholls-trained inmate RUBAUD should find Wincanton’s Jennings Bet Kingwell Hurdle a more suitable test after being brushed aside by big guns on his last two runs.
The six-year-old has won six of his 11 starts over the smaller obstacles and struck at Wincanton in the Elite Hurdle earlier in the season, his fourth win in a row.
Since then he has faced the mammoth task of taking on Constitution Hill at Kempton in the Christmas Hurdle and also had the misfortune of bumping into an imperious Lossiemouth at Cheltenham in the Unibet Hurdle.
He now returns to what appears slightly easier company and despite the champion trainer having some concerns about conditions, he heads to the Somerset venue as the highest rated in the field.
HAYDOCK
Race 3 – SALVER 4/9
SALVER is another who can thrive on the deep going in the Virgin Bet Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.
He has won each of his three starts since joining Gary Moore, culminating in a 21-length stroll in the Finale at Chepstow over the Christmas period.
His task was eased by the ground-enforced absence of Burdett Road, but his jumping was faultless and he loves soft ground.
Race 4 – BOTOX HAS 85/40
Former course and distance winner BOTOX HAS already has multiple G2 contests under his belt.
Added to that record when taking the Wetherby G2 West Yorkshire Hurdle in November before two average since. Should bounce back here.
Butch brings winning form including a neck success over three miles in a Cheltenham handicap hurdle on New Years Day, and therefore must be respected.
Red Risk was a strong second in the aforementioned Wetherby G2 hurdle two outings back and should be shortlisted along with Sounds Russian, who drops in grade on seasonal return.
Race 5 – FAMOUS BRIDGE 13/2
Those who keep the faith with FAMOUS BRIDGE can be rewarded in the Virgin Bet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
Nicky Richards’ charge threw in a rare disappointing effort when pulled up in last month’s Great Yorkshire Chase, in which he was sent off one of the market leaders.
After a slow start, he made a mistake at the third fence and just never really got going again, with jockey Sean Quinlan calling time a fair way from home on the quickest ground he has encountered this term.
Famous Bridge is better judged on his two previous Haydock wins, in a competitive November handicap chase and then in the Tommy Whittle, with both victories coming in testing conditions similar to those he faces this weekend.
He had to tough it out in both finishes, with that kind of attitude a positive as he steps up to an extended three and a half miles now.
