The start of the flat horse racing season is here with Wincanton and Naas featuring in our horse racing preview.
Today is the start of the flat horse racing season. We have a new guest editor, Darren Chettleburgh, who has a passion for juvenile two year old’s on the flat and is sharing his horse racing preview for today’s start to the flat horse racing season with us here at Betalyst.
Darren’s preview features two meetings this afternoon from Wincanton and Naas.

15.15 Wincanton – Ryan Direct Group Novices’ Handicap Hurdle

We start our horse racing preview for today off at Wincanton. Paul Nicholls is looking to grasp another trainers championship away from Nicky Henderson and can get the ball rolling with Captain Bucks.

The five year old gelding probably won a shade cosily at Kempton when defeating Like the Sound by one length. His past form has come around Somerset track Taunton.  His bumper form stands well, when behind the likes of Bags Groove who has subsequently gone on recently to win over hurdles a few days ago.

Any dangers in the race could come from the improving Lillington who has ran creditably in both starts this year. Beaten favourite last time out at Hereford, he was well put in his place on the heavy ground that day losing by nine and a quarter lengths. He has competed over further than this when tailing off over 21f at Warwick last year, but stepping back up in trip this afternoon he could still be well treated on a mark of 115.

I am going to presume that Captains Buck will not be the best of odds to play with, but he should be really exploiting his current mark of 124 which looks generous.

Captains Buck : 3pt Win (BOG)

16.10 Naas – Lodge Park Stud E.B.F. Park Express Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3)

The flat season gets on the way in Ireland as we are treated to pattern company in the Group 3 Express Stakes. The smartest filly on show here is Aidan O’Brien’s Somehow. and last year’s Cheshire Oaks winner makes her appearance in what looks an average looking renewal this afternoon.

She did not do herself justice when she could only manage fifth in the Group 1 Irish Oaks when behind stablemate Seventh Heaven, but she has already been mapped for a return to this course next month where she has entries in the Gladness and Alleged Stakes.

No doubt Somehow is the class on paper against unknown quality, but I want to take her on with a reasonable price and we could see an improved run from Jim Bolger’s Legitimus.

Her only career win came in a maiden at Gowran Park over today’s index and did it well by three and three quarter lengths. She ran well when third in the Group 3 Flame of Tara Stakes at the Curragh and held that form well when beaten by Eziyra in the Group 3 Weld Stakes on her last run.

She is well bred by Lawman through the bloodline of Galileo, and I would like to think she can improve on her juvenile career, with an entry in this year’s Irish 1,000gns, she should show a good transition from her three year old campaign.

Legitimus : 1pt each way (BOG)

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Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Preview

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 Preview

Here’s our Horse Racing preview for the Cheltenham Festival day 3.

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 – 1.30pm – JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

Yorkhill has a had an up and down start to chasing but has stamina as seen last year in the Neptune.  With Willie Mullins saying the horse could be a potential Gold Cup horse, Yorkhill will take a lot of beating. Top Notch should be his closest rival for Nicky Henderson who has made a great start to chasing and won a Grade 1 on his last start at Sandown as well as being a regular at the festival.

 

Favourite – Yorkhill
Value Tip / Bet – Politologue
Each Way – Top Notch

 

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 – 2.10pm – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Tobefair has been raised 63lbs for winning 7 consecutive races in a row and looks as though it may struggle, though does warrant respect. Presenting Percy has also been raised 16lbs but the Irish horse looks to still be improving. Isleofhopendreams should be close for the Mullins/Walsh combination.

 

Favourite – Presenting Percy
Value Tip / Bet – Isleofhopendreams
Each Way – Rocklander OR Tobefair

 

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 – – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

An exciting race where Un De Sceaux takes on Uxizandre again. The pair fought it out at the Clarence House Chase in January where Un De Sceaux won by 5 lengths. Uxizandre ran very well considering it had not run since 2015, winning this race. Alan Kings horse could reverse the placings with a run under the Geldings belt. Empire of Dirt ran very well last month when behind Sizing John in the Irish Gold Cup last month and has a great chance.

Favourite – Empire of Dirt and Un De Sceaux
Value Tip / Bet – Uxizandre
Each Way – Empire of Dirt

 

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 – 3.30pm – Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Unowhatimeanharry looks to be the class act in the field. Winning its last 8 races and has had most of this field trailing behind him. Jezki , a Champion Hurdle winner in 2014 looks as though it can go close if reproducing its earlier form. Shaneshill has an each way chance having beaten Snow Falcon in January. Cole Harden won this race in 2015 and the good ground will be a plus.

Favourite – Unowhatimeanharry

Value Tip / Bet – Ballyoptic OR Cole Harden

Each Way – Clondaw Warrior OR Shaneshill

 

Cheltenham Festival Day 3 – 4.10pm – Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase ( Grade 3)

Diamond King won the Coral Cup last year and has only a 1lb difference from last year as Gordon Elliott looks to add to his tally at Cheltenham. Starchitect has won off its current mark and last years County Hurdle winner looks a strong prospect to overturn Baron Alco over this longer trip after losing back at Plumpton. Henryville, who will enjoy the ground, could also go close.

Favourite – Diamond King

Value Tip / Bet – Henryville

Each Way – Starchitect

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