Equinties - weekender

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Big race previews

Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase

Four are set to head to post for the first Graded race of the day, a three-mile novice chase on heavy ground.

COMPLETE UNKNOWN heads the market at a shade of odds-against, and despite his name, his skills in open company are apparent.

0/5 in level-weight races over hurdles and fences doesn’t read well despite the fact he won off 135 in a handicap lto - is he easily opposable?

Pulled-up at Christmas, GALIA DES LITEAUX reappears just 19 days since her disappointment at Kempton - the Dan Skelton mare has won over three miles in a PtP and she receives two pounds from the rest of the field, but does her form stack up against the boys even with the allowance?

Gordon Elliott is sending a few to Warwick tomorrow and one of his Irish raiders is THE GOFFER on his second start in the UK - he was 15th in the Martin Pipe last season.

The six-year-old looks like a stayer in the making he has performed on softer ground in the past, so this race looks suited to his capabilities.

The field is completed by GENTLEMAN AT ARMS, a horse who was progressive over hurdles but has been underwhelming in his novice chasing season.

On hurdles form, he is right there - his second to GELINO BELLO at Aintree and ELLE EST BELLE at Huntington is probably the best form in the race. If he sorts out his jumping, 12’s looks appealing.

Our view: Having won the last two renewals, Nicholls is going for the hat-trick and his horses are always, always to be feared (unless it’s Cheltenham) but we’ll side with Skeltons mare who deserves another chance after pulling up at Kempton lto. Harry said she lost her confidence two in and the race was over. She looked good before that and she has a proper slop pedigree so will love the heavy going.

Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle

In what is a very open contest, course and distance winner GINNY’S DESTINY is topping the market for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard.

He likes the ground on the softer side and looks to be unexposed - how far can he go for the Lacey team?

Stepping out of handicap company, GREY DAWNING represents Dan Skelton after his gruelling Kempton clash at Christmas.

He beat BOURBALI, a fairly exposed handicapper, and the unknown THEATRE GLORY at Kempton, so it’s unsure what the form is worth - can the grey step up into Grade 2 company today?

The horse coming into the race in the best form is KNOWSLEY ROAD for the Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls.

The Chepstow bumper winner has made it a perfect 2/2 over hurdles so far this season and he was a close second on heavy ground at Exeter on his rules debut - unexposed and with conditions on his side, is he the most likely winner at 4/1?

Our view: This is a tough race and not one I’ll get stuck into but Moore’s GIVEGA has looked good so far and should relish the mud. He’s the pick.

Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase

An interesting Grade 2 Kempton sees returning stars and in-form successors tackle the stiff track.

Looking for a hat-trick, PIC D’ORHY won the the Pendil Novices’ Chase over course and distance in February and he ran to an RPR of 162 last time, so he couldn’t be in any better form ahead of today but that race was on quick ground.

Returning to open company after his handicap win off 154, PAINT THE DREAM is the highest-rated horse in the race and will enjoy soft conditions today.

0/5 in non-handicap Graded and Listed events is worrying, however, his Newbury win lto was extremely impressive and he is a proper galloper.

We’ve already talked about ANGELS BREATH, who returns today after a 1,121-day break, so let’s discuss the chances of SAINT CALVADOS.

Now retained by the legendary David Maxwell, his last race was interesting to say the least - sent off at 1/3, Maxwell set poor sectionals throughout and he was soundly beaten by COOLE CODY, who reappears today.

A return to his King George form would see him run well, but it is a big if.

Our view: I think Nicholls’ fave should be odds on here. He’ll go in any ground and is a cut above the rest.

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Today’s best stats 

Big Don McCain hasn’t had a runner in the 13.22 for a number of years but is 2 from 2 in it so RICHMOND LAKE can’t be discounted for the hat-trick despite needing to bounce back.

PRINCESS NIEVE 14.20 looks stinky for Boughey. Muscutt steers who is 2 from 3 for yard at track.

Jane Williams is in good form and sends HERMES BOY for the 14.40 to Kempton where she is 2 from 2 in handicap hurdles.

VOLCANO for Sheila Lewis runs off a low mark at a course he loves and trainer is 4 from 8 there in these races. Ben Jones 100% sr for Sheila.

Harry Burns is 2 from 3 for the Crisfords at Chelmsford and they team up in the 19.00 on SOARING EAGLE.

Bumpers

Warwick

Incredibly tough bumper to read with some nicely bred horses running. Lacey’s has been slammed into fave and money talks in bumpers. He’s got a flat ped, by CITY SCAPE who have produced nice big flat horses and the dame side has produced stayers in the mud so would be wary to take his on.

Venetia’s horses are mainly mud larks so hers won’t mind todays test. She’s out of a half sister to YALLTARI trained by Venetia, he was a proper horse.

Between those two imo.

Wetherby

Skeltons backed into fave here. She’s by JACK HOBBS who is unproven atm but she gets a shit load of weight being only 4… she might be a little weak?

Wadhams back in form and he’s is nicely bred for this race. 5yo so will give weight away to fave but might be stronger. A half to a nice type of Wadhams we’ve gambled before.

The others don’t look much cop on breeding despite a few I know will like the mud (O’Keefe’s and Grants) but I’ll side with an ew play on Wadhams who I think should at least place if ready.

March bet slop acca