Racing is finally back at Jumps HQ as Cheltenham host their first few days of racing for the season with the October meeting. Featuring a grade two novice hurdle and some strong handicaps over both hurdles and fences.
Doncaster host the first day of their two day October meeting to round out Friday's Live ITV action. We've gone through the live races and picked out our tips and selections for the afternoon.
French Ship 7/1
I was quite taken with how French Ship went through the race at Chepstow when he was last seen just two weeks ago and he was right in the mix before unfortunately coming down 3 out.
He was well found in the betting that day and gained some interesting market support. It’s good to see connections are looking to bring him out again early hinting he’s none the worse for the fall.
He’s clearly well handicapped off a mark of 128 and with a bit of juice in the ground should be more at home.
Akkadian Thunder 10/1
It’s a surprising to see Akkadian Thunder at such a big price for this now the ground has turned really testing at Doncaster.
He goes well at the course, coming 3rd over 6.5 furlongs back in September and is a previous Course winner. Races haven’t quite panned out for him recently, hitting some trouble in running.
With the ground being testing and Akkadian Thunder staying 7 furlongs well and falling to an attractive handicap mark, he might just get away with the drop in trip here and looks a good price to get into the frame.
King Of Kingsfield 3/1
Gordon Elliott sends over King Of Kingsfield for this novice chase only 9 days after he won a grade three novice chase over in Ireland in convincing fashion.
He had some smart form over hurdles but looks a better proposition over fences now and should be hard to beat again being fully fit after a summer campaign.
Carries penalties for his chase successes but can put these to the sword with his race sharpness and chase experience.
Liverpool Knight 11/1
Catches the eye in this field at a relatively big price and wasn’t disgraced back in 5th behind King William Rufus over course and distance back in April, given a bit too much to do from off the pace.
Fully fit having been running through the summer and was well fancied for a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter last time out but seemingly didn’t quite stay 2.5 miles.
Back dow in trip and off a mark of 118, Fergal O’Brien’s charge looks well handicapped and should appreciate the drop in trip to a stiff 2 miles
Un Sens La Vie 15/8
An expansive point to point recruit, Un Sens La Vie made an immediate impression under rules when winning a bumper at Market Rasen in good style.
Connections took him back to the same venue for his hurdles debut just 10 days ago where he proved much too good for his rivals, making all the running at prohibitive odds.
They opt to churn him out quickly in search of Grade Two honours now and with the yard in good form at the start of the season, he certainly looks the one to beat.
Rhoscolyn 10/1
The summer mile winner at his beloved Goodwood, things have to fall right for Rhoscolyn but with the rain falling and Doncaster becoming increasingly testing underfoot he could well get back to form now.
At his best with plenty of give in the surface, his form had been lacklustre since his win the the Qatar Glorious meeting but he has now slipped back down to the same handicap mark he won on at the start of August.
5lbs claimer Cian Horgan jumps back into the saddle and a heavy ground 7 furlongs should be right up his mount’s alley. Can outrun a big price.
Calico 3/1
It’s hard to get away from Calico at the top of the betting as he looks to win this race for the second year running and lines up only 4lbs higher in the weights than he did for last year’s success.
Clearly goes well fresh and just got the better of Matata in this race last year and faces that same rival again on similar terms.
Has to show he still retains the same ability at the age of 9 but is highly effective over this course and distance and looks the right favourite. Should be right in the mix again.
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