The Weekend Wager: Raceolly's tips from Ascot and Wetherby on Saturday
We are treated to a stunning weekend of National Hunt action, and our columnist Raceolly has picked out three bets for the action at Ascot and Wetherby in this week's edition of The Weekend Wager...
13:20 Wetherby - bet365 Handicap Chase
Road Warrior is a interesting runner here with the headgear back on after a recent tune up but it’s BRELAN D’AS that’s turned my head for this. Placed off a mark 26lbs higher this time last year and since switching to Ben Haslam he has dropped 25lbs in seven runs. Now there is a reason for the rocket down the weights as he’s not beaten many others in those runs, but the prices have began to tumble lately and more is expected down off these lower marks and in weaker races. Kevin Brogan has a win and a place in three rides for team Haslam and takes the reins tomorrow taking a further 3lbs off.
14:45 Ascot - Byrne Group Handicap Chase
Venetia Williams has won this race twice and had a short head second last year from five runners in the last eight years. FRERO BANBOU hosed up after a break at Sandown earlier this year and ran well at the Grand National meeting at Aintree off a 13lb higher mark the following month. The wind op worked wonders last season after a few runs where better was expected. October is the usually the start of Venetia Williams season where the winners start to flow especially usually peaking through November and December.
15:40 Wetherby - bet365 Handicap Hurdle
HAAFAPIECE has form figures of 423 here at Wetherby and Pam Sly has a 25% win rate at the track after seven winners from 28 runners. Sly's charge has plenty of solid form off higher marks last season, especially his Cheltenham run when leading at the last when falling off a mark of 130. Raised 2lbs for that and placed here off 132 and now finds himself off 127 just two runs later. Jack Andrews returns for the ride here to defend his 100% record in the saddle on him, after riding him on his last win at Fakenham last year, which also came over this trip. He returned in this race last year also and ran a huge race and would have gone much closer if better over the last two hurdles in a race that worked out very well.