The Scilly Isles Novices' Chase day at Sandown is the feature of the day, as well as the 202 renewal of the Irish Gold Cup from Leopardstown where back to back Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs will be the one to beat. The field includes J P McManus’ Cheltenham Gold Cup hope, Fact To File and fan favourite Hewick, now being trainer by Tara Lee Cogan.
Over on English shores we have 5 races from Sandown plus 3 races from Musselburgh. Jango Baie, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, is the current favourite for the Silly Isles Chase which has a field of 4 going to post including the highly touted Kalif of Berlais and Handstands, who will make for a quality race.
With the ground currently heavy, each race will be hard work so every horse that wins will have to be very strong on what could become very dead and sticky ground.
Click below which race you'd like to view.
Sandown
Musselburgh
Leopardstown
13:25 Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle Turf, Handicap Novice Class 3
Runners: 9
Distance: 2 miles and 4 furlongs
Going: Heavy
1st place prize money: £9,105
Our selections
Winning pick: De Kingpin
Winner last time out at Newbury when getting the race when winner disqualified for whip use. Only up 3 pounds and placed in a heavy ground bumper so ground is no concern.
Each-way: Springs A Girl
2 time hurdle winning Mare who won at odds of 80/1 at Stratford. Daire McConville parted her in all her hurdle runs and takes of 7 pounds. Could have improvement.
14:00 Virgin Bet Every Saturday Monday Back Handicap Chase
Chase Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners: 6
Distance: 1 miles and 7 1/2 furlongs
Going: Heavy
1st place prize money: £26,015
Our selection
Wining pick: Solo
2 runs after wind surgery, last at Ascot then a better effort back there in December when 4th, Could go better here when 7 pounds below the top weight Martator. Won on heavy ground in France should be bang there.
14:35 Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase
Chase Turf, Grade 1 Novice Class 1
Runners: 4
Distance: 2 miles 4 furlongs
Going: Heavy
1st place prize money: £56,950
Our selection
Winning pick: Kalif Du Berlais
French recruit who made good work of his Juvenile Hurdle campaign last season, winning a Grade 2 at Kempton. Long way 3rd behind Sir Gino and Kargese at Aintree. Fell on Chase debut but has won his last 2 races. Good Jumper who won on Heavy ground in France.
15:07 Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle
(Premier Handicap)
Hurdle Turf, Grade 3 Handicap Class 1
Runners: 13
Distance: 2 miles and 7 1/2 furlongs
Going: Heavy
1st place prize money: £56,270
Our Selections
Winning pick: What A Johnny
2 wins from 8 starts but consistent placing 5 times only being out the placings once. Good 3rd last time out at Cheltenham. Low weight here and has placed in his Heavy ground Point. Could reverse the placings with Idefix De Ciergues.
Each-way: Idefix De Ciergues
Ahead of What A Johnny last time out at Cheltenham, expect them to be very tightly matched again. Goes from the front and should get an easy time on the front end. Interesting.
15:42 Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase
Chase Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners: 9
Distance: 3 miles
Going: Heavy
1st place prize money: £26,015
Our selections
Winning pick: In d'Or
David Maxwell gave him a brilliant ride at Ascot last time out where he won going away. Up 8 pounds but still not top weight here and likely there is more improvement in the bank.
Each-way: Gelino Bello
Losing run of 3 and most recent run at Wincanton after wind surgery was poor when beat 7 lengths. 2nd run after wind surgery should bring out improvement and this gelding is now 7 pounds lower then his last winning mark has top weight here but wind surgery could bring improvement.
Musselburgh
13:42 bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Juvenile Hurdle)
Hurdle Turf, Listed Class 1
Runners: 10
Distance: 1 miles 7 1/2 furlongs
Going: Good to soft
1st place prize money: £22,780
Our selections
Winning pick: Maitre En Science
French recruit who ran 3 times in France winning 2 and finishing 2nd in the other. Hard to know how good this gelding is but comes with winning form to a good stable and this looks winnable.
Each-way: Johnny Ringo
Flat winner for Lucinda Russell before going hurdling which both runs came at todays track. Winning his 2nd run at short odds in good form under Derek Fox and Patrick Wadge takes over here. Winner over Course and Distance, good chance.
14:17 bet365 Scottish County Handicap Hurdle
Hurdle Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners: 12
Distance: 1 mile and 7 1/2 furlongs
Going: Good to soft
1st place prize money: £15,609
Our selections
Winning pick: Maghlaak
Been in really good form this season. Won going away at Wetherby in December backed it up to win again at Catterick. Finished 3rd of career high mark last time out. Owners 2nd string her but clearly in good nick and should run well.
Each-way: Ravenscraig Castle
Bottom weight who ran well after wind surgery on New years day here at Musselburgh when only being beat a length. 2nd run after wind surgery could spark further improvement. Brian Hughes booked, Should go well.
14:50 bet365 Scottish Champion Chase
Chase Turf, Handicap Class 2
Runners: 12
Distance: 2 miles and 4 1/2 furlongs
Going: Good to soft
Our selections
Winning pick: Saint Segal
Highly tires gelding who won of career low mark last time out at Newbury. 8 pound rise demands more but no reason he cant find more if back to his best. Regular rider David Noonan onboard and should go close.
Each-way: Sir Psycho
Switched from Paul Nicholls to Harry Derham and won on debut for Harry at Ascot where he kept on well.
Won of 2 pounds lower for Paul Nicholls so easily could be competitive here of a very low weight. Stable jockey Paul O'Brien rides.
Leopardstown
15:30 Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup Chase
(Grade 1)
Chase Turf, Grade 1
Runners: 10
Distance: 3 miles 1/2 furlongs
Going: Soft
1st place prize money: £117,184
Our selections
Winning pick: Galopin Des Champs
Worlds best 3 mile chaser who will head to Cheltenham to try win his 3rd consecutive Gold Cup. Not surprised he was beat over 2 miles 3 on seasonal debut but then put everyone back in there place when destroying field from the front in the Grade 1 Savills Chase. Easily the one to beat here.
Each-way: Hewick
Pick from the heart. Fan favourite who won the King George in 2023. Has not run bad this season. Finished 2nd only 1/2 length behind Envoi Allen at Down Royal. Was beaten 21 lengths by Home By The Lee here in December. Hopefully he will run well.
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