12:55 Aintree
The 12:55 from Aintree is a Pertemps Handicap Hurdle qualifier over the extended 3m trip.
I like the idea of KYNTARA NB bouncing back now reverting to hurdles. Things didn’t go to plan last season over fences and it is no surprise to see Mel Rowley reverting him back to hurdles. This previous course and distance winner ran a belter in the final of this series when second at the Festival. He’s well handicapped if he can bounce back and now back over the smaller obstacles and freshened back up, I like his chances.
1:10 Wincanton
The 1:10 from Wincanton is a 2m4f handicap chase.
The Tizzard trained BOURBALI NAP comes here with race fitness on his side and a bold bud can be expected. This speed-favouring track can suit the front runners, and he’ll be bang there from the outset. He ran well when third last time out at Kempton, fresh off a break, and that should have put him spot on for this. The handicapper kindly dropped him 2lb for that too and I think he’s the one they all have to beat.
1:45 Wincanton
Seven runners go to post for the mares handicap hurdle over 2m5f at 1:45.
The highly touted JUBILEE ALPHA can add another Wincanton winner to the Ditcheat tally here. A previous winner here at Wincanton, she progressed well last season and ended her campaign with a career best effort at Cheltenham when winning a competitive mares event. I think connections will be confident she can become a Graded mare, and she can prove that today when defying top-weight in this trappy handicap.
2:23 Wincanton
The 2:23 at Wincanton is the Rising Novices Chase. It is a Grade 2 contest over 2m4f.
Henry De Bromhead sends COBRA QUEEN over for this, and typically, he has improved this mare a ton for going over fences. She comes into this improving with every run and having won her last two starts. Shes on an upward curve and she can use her experience to land this Grade 2 contest.
2:40 Aintree
At 2:40 we are over the Grand National fences with the Grand Sefton Chase over 2m5f.
The one I’ve landed on is GABORIOT EW. He sneaks into this off a lovely racing weight of 10’5 and this 9-year-old looks well weighted to go close today. He’s proven over these fences, which is key as he finished a close third in this race last year. He’s 3lb lower for the 2025 renewal, and you’d be confident connections would have him primed for this. This is arguably his main target, where a lot of his rivals look likely to come on for the run. I find it hard to see him out of the frame.
2:55 Wincanton
The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle comes up at 2:55 over the 2m distance.
A weak renewal, RUBARD can land his third straight Elite Hurdle against handicappers. This is the weakest renewal of the race for a number of years and Cobden will keep it straightforward from the front. Hamlet’s Night can chase him home.
3:30 Wincanton
The final race live from Wincanton is the Badger Beers Handicap Chase over the 3m1f trip.
I like GUSTAVIAN in this. He sneaks into this off 10’3 getting at least 6lb off all his rivals. He finished third in this race last year off a 1lb higher mark but this is a weaker renewal. He runs well fresh and the Honeyball yard has started the season strongly. If he gets into a nice rhythm under Rex Dingle I think he’ll go very close at least.
3:45 Doncaster
The final flat race of the season ends proceedings, the competitive November Handicap over 1m4f.
I’d be happy to chance METIER EW now that he gets back onto soft ground. A previous winner of this race in 2022, he has also won the Chester Cup in recent years so we know the ability is there. Things haven’t gone to plan for a while, but as a result, he’s running off a mark of just 95. A 5lb claimer takes the ride today so effectively, it’s a mark of 90. Freshened up since running on the AW in March, if Harry Fry has got him back anywhere near his best form, he’ll be winning this. The more rain the better.
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