The pick of the Saturday prices....

Friday, 23rd February 2024

The pick of the Saturday prices….

Anthony Honeyball is three-handed in tomorrow’s Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton (3.37)….

…. and the one that catches my eye is the least-fancied of the trio – SAM BROWN at the general 20s….

…. a nice each-way price in a race on which all the firms pay out on 4 places – giving punters a theoretical 33% chance of hitting the frame….

He’s a 12yo now and carries top-weight of 12-00 tomorrow afternoon….

…. but it’s been a rare occasion in his career when he hasn’t been asked to shoulder a big weight….

…. and – despite his advancing years – he hasn’t been knocked about or overworked and is still capable of producing high-standard performances as he’s shown the last twice….

…. when winning the rescheduled Veterans’ Series Handicap Chase Final at Warwick….

…. and when running down the 5-runner field – without being disgraced in any way – in the G2 Denman Chase at Newbury….

Conditions have come up right for him tomorrow – with the ground riding soft….

That will suit Sam Brown much more than plenty of the opposition – some of whom are unproven in testing conditions whilst others are unproven at the trip….

He’s been in decent form….

…. he’s fit and firing….

…. he’s very much in the line-up on merit – despite his veteran status….

…. and he’s a big price at his optimum trip in conditions that will test stamina….

• ‘…. there’s value in the price….’

PRINCE DES FICHAUX  is the bet at 16s in the Eider Chase at Newcastle (2.08) – another nice each-way price….

He’s a relatively new recruit to the yard of Ewan Whillans….

…. and he produced his best effort yet for his new connections last time at Newcastle….

…. when a half-length in arrears to Fenland Tiger over 3m on the same type of heavy ground the field will encounter tomorrow afternoon….

Fenland Tiger reopposes and – whilst I acknowledge that my selection is out of the handicap….

…. and that Fenland Tiger has the more progressive looking profile with three wins from his four goes over fence to date….

….I still think there’s value in the price of my selection given that Fenland Tiger is up at 6s….

…. and that my selection might have run him closer still that last day but for a mistake at the final fence….

Who knows how most of these will handle the step up to tomorrow’s marathon 4-mile trip….

…. all I can say about my pick is that on that last assignment – in gruelling conditions that required a real gameness of spirit….

…. he put it right up to the more heavily fancied horse all the way to the post – with the rest of the field beaten off some 20+ lengths in arrears….

• ‘…. I think he’s overpriced….’

Ben Pauling’s SAMUEL SPADE at the general 14s is my bet in the Coral Racing Club Handicap Hurdle (1.15)….

Last time out he was sent off at 9s for the more competitive Lanzarote over course and distance – an assignment which proved beyond him on the day….

Tomorrow’s waters are not quite so deep….

…. and at a bigger price he can bounce back and build on the effort he produced at Taunton the time before….

On a mark of 124 he’s rated 6lb higher than he was that day….

…. but he’s still 2lb shy of an opening mark of 126 the handicapper awarded him last year….

…. and I reckon there’s more to come yet….

He won with authority over 2m3f at Taunton….

…. and this longer trip still could well yield further progression….

I think he’s overpriced….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Meantime – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd