Racing Chat - Saturday February 15th

[The Brigadier]

The day's nap has to be the Paul Nicholls trained PIC D'ORHY (3.37 Ascot) who will love the drying ground (it's likely to ride on the good side there) with the trip ideal. His two main rivals, L'Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross are being aimed at the Cheltenham Gold Cup and need further than this and softer ground. Pic D'Orhy has a great track record with four wins from 7 starts including in this race last year when he comfortably beat L'Homme Presse by making all. Expect Harry Cobden to adopt the same tactics and should be very hard to beat.

The big novice chase at 1.50 looks a shoot out between Nicky Henderson's Jingko Blue and Philip Hobbs & Johnson White's Lowry's Bar who met at Windsor 27 days ago with the former finishing 2 1/4L in front. That doesn't tell the full story though as LOWRY'S BAR made a jolting mistake three from home and but for that could of won that day. He's 5lb better off today and looks the pick.

The 2.25 is a competitive handicap hurdle but I can't resist a small each way bet on Evan Williams's PATRIOTIK. His recent form stacks up well and his trainer is in good form with a double at Hereford on Wednesday. 

I'm a big BURDETT ROAD fan and fully expect him to make all and best his main danger Golden Ace in the 1.35 Wincanton

The big race at Haydock is the Grand National Trial (only in name mind) at 3.15 and the horse I like here is the Jamie Snowden trained GIT MAKER. He was amongst my horses to follow this season as I think on his second to Inotherwayuthinkin in the Kim Muir and third in the Scottish National last Spring remains a well handicapped horse. He's only been seen once this season when obviously not ready in finishing down the field over hurdles at Windsor and despite being five pounds out of the handicap looks great each way value. 

 

Pic D'Orhy (337 Ascot) 4 points win @ 15/8 William Hills

Lowrys Bar (1.50 Ascot) 2 points win @ 2/1 Bet365

Patriotik (2.25 Ascot) 1 point each way @15/2 William Hills 1/5th 1234

Burdett Road (1.36 Wincanton) 3 points win @ 8/11 William Hills

Git Maker (3.15 Haydock) 2 points each way @ 11/2 Bet365 1/5 123

[richard-westwood]

Just a couple of quick ones as I'm working long shifts so difficult to rate many ....

640 southwell ......a very open race but computer has spotted a fantastic speculative value bet  in this.....

Mini macs 6f run has been undervalued by the bookies who price this horse up as the 40/1 outsider ....the adjusted ratings put that performance on a par with the front two in the betting ....obviously he's an outsider for a reason but value bet  wise he looks off the scale here 

Mini Mac 5 PT Ew 40/1 pp