Saturday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Cheltenham and Doncaster on 27 January 2024.
CHELTENHAM
Race 3 – GRANDEUR D’AME 10/1
GRANDEUR D’AME appears to be well-handicapped on current mark.
Started the new campaign with a 25-length success at Wetherby in mid-November and followed up with a fourth in the December Gold Cup here, so will be a strong contender.
Il Ridoto was denied by a nose in the course and distance December Gold Cup last start and loves a big field Cheltenham handicap.
Excello pursues a double after a six length success at Ascot. Switches to open handicap company.
Victtorino is a place contender in search of a hat-trick. Last seen scoring at Ascot.
Race 4 – THE REAL WHACKER 7/2
THE REAL WHACKER can reignite his campaign with victory in the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase.
Patrick Neville’s charge boasts a fine record at Prestbury Park, having won three of his four chase starts there, highlighted by last year’s short-head verdict over Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Festival.
However, two subsequent starts have left him with something to prove at this point – particularly his lacklustre showing when pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at this track on his reappearance, although it later transpired he was lame after the race.
The Real Whacker posted a marginally improved effort in the King George, keeping on to finish fourth, beaten 10 lengths by Hewick and coming home in front of the now-retired Frodon.
If he can run to his official mark of 162, that would put him firmly in the mix in what appears a trappy contest.
Race 5 – JONBON 1/3
The My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase looks a more straightforward affair, with JONBON virtually unopposable under substitute jockey James Bowen.
Nicky Henderson’s charge is two from two this term, having hacked up in the Shloer Chase on his seasonal return before being made to work a bit harder in the Tingle Creek on pretty desperate ground.
With El Fabiolo an absentee in this rearranged event from Ascot, it will be disappointing if Britain’s best two-mile chaser cannot triumph on his Festival prep.
Race 6 – LOVE ENVOI 10/3
LOVE ENVOI is backed to cause something of a surprise in the Unibet Hurdle.
Lossiemouth is likely to go off a short-priced favourite, but Harry Fry’s mare has a more recent run to her credit, having chased home Not So Sleepy in a Sandown Grade One on heavy ground.
While her optimum distance is probably further than this two-mile-one-furlong affair, she did win over the trip at the 2022 Festival and the conditions of the race do favour her.
Race 7 – PAISLEY PARK 11/4
PAISLEY PARK can secure a fourth victory in the McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle after another sterling performance at Ascot last time.
Despite the fact he is now 12, Paisley Park served it up to Crambo in the Long Walk last month, going down by just a short head after a proper battle on the run to the line.
Previously second in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, Emma Lavelle’s charge clearly still relishes a fight and can be relied upon to put up another good showing in what is a fascinating heat.
DONCASTER
Race 5 – ASHROE DIAMOND 11/10
Willie Mullins fields two in the SBK Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle but preference is for ASHROE DIAMOND over Gala Marceau.
Both are Grade One winners, but Ashroe Diamond has the benefit of a more recent run, having finished a creditable third in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in November over an extended two and a half miles after racing a bit keenly.
Dropping back to two miles here should be no issue, as she has twice placed at the minimum distance at the highest level.
Race 6 – WELCOM TO CARTIES 15/8
WELCOM TO CARTIES just failed on debut at Ascot prior to making amends with a seven-length triumph at the same venue last month.
On an upward curve and one to take seriously especially if strong in the betting.
The ultra-consistent Destroytheevidence has three wins over hurdles and nearly made it four when runner-up in a G2 at Cheltenham latest. Kim Bailey’s six-year-old should be high on your shortlist.
I Love My Baie is lightly raced and respected back up in grade while Kerryhill was behind Destroytheevidence last time in fourth and can run into the placings.
Race 7 – FAMOUS BRIDGE 7/1
FAMOUS BRIDGE is a stayer on the up, with a hat-trick in his sights in the SBK Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase.
Successful at Haydock the last twice, Nicky Richards’ charge has defied deep ground for both those victories but with fair form on quicker going in the past, he perhaps does not need the mud to fly to show his best.
