Horse Racing fans have a terrific card of racing to look forward to on Saturday with ITV showing coverage at Ascot for four races and Haydock Park for three. We are going to start by previewing two races from Ascot.
Firstly it’s the BetMGM Mares Hurdle which is a Grade 2 event run over just short two miles. Willie Mullins is due to be represented by Kargese, this 5yo will be having her first run season. Since being brought over from France she hasn’t been out the first two places in five outings. Last season she started by winning the Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown, before coming runner up in both the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) at Aintree to Majborough and Sir Gino. Her final race of the season came in the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle where she took her second Grade 1 of the season. This very talented mare’s long term target looks to be the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham but Wille will be hoping he can get this one’s season off with a win in this contest.
Another noticeable entry is Take No Chances from the Dan Skelton yard, this 7yo has had four races so far this season, the highlight winning a Listed Mares Hurdle at Wetherby on the Charlie Hall card before before found wanting up against Sir Gino in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. It will be a step up in class for this mare but Dan wouldn’t enter her if he didn’t think she could be competitive.
The last interesting entry in this race will we look at is Casa No Mento for Nigel Twiston-Davies, this 7yo had one outing over the larger obstacles this season which didn’t go to plan, but if you back to last season she took a Mares Listed Hurdle at Punchestown. Whether she can challenge Willie’s mare if it’s fully tuned up is another question.
Betting for this contest:
Non UK Casinos: Kargese 8/13, Take No Chances 100/30, Casa No Mento 11/2, Ooh Betty 7/1 and 14/1 bar.
EU Casinos That Accept UK Players: Kargese 4/7, Take No Chances 7/2, Casa No Mento 6/1, Ooh Betty 7/1 and 14/1 bar.
USA Casinos For UK Players: Kargese 4/7, Take No Chances 7/2, Casa No Mento 11/2, Ooh Betty 7/1 and 16/1 bar.
The second race we are going to look into is arguably the main race of the day, 3.25pm BetMGM Clarence House Chase Grade 1. Nicky Henderson is going to be represented by Jonbon who was runner up in this contest last season getting beat by Elixir De Nutz by a neck.
This season the JP McManus 9yo has won the Grade 2 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham before taking the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown impressively by 8 lengths. This seven time Grade 1 Chase winner will head to the Champion Chase at Cheltenham but connections hope to pick up this prize en route.
Another entry for this race is Willie Mullins Energumene, this 11yo had its first run back after over 600 days off the race course winning the Bar One Racing Hilly Way Chase at Cork in December very well and although age is not on his side he certainly has experience. Tony Blooms horse also has an entry at the Dublin Festival but it looks like Willie wants Energumene to get a victory in this race after coming runner up to Shishkin in 2022.
Betting for the race:
American Betting Sites: Jonbon 4/5, Energumene 15/8, Edwardstown 8/1, Boothill 12/1, Libberty Hunter 14/1 and Unexpected Paddy 66/1.
Credit Card Gambling Sites: Jonbon 8/11, Energumene 2/1, Edwardstown 8/1, Boothill 12/1, Libberty Hunter 14/1 and Unexpected Paddy 66/1.
Good Luck with your selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.
