Mystical Clouds features among Simon Holt's three selections as he previews the main weekend races at Newcastle and Kempton.
Recommended bets
2pts win Whatmore in 3.35 Kempton at 9/1
1pt win Mystical Clouds in 4.10 Kempton at 7/1
1pt win Calipso Collonges in 2.45 Newcastle at 13/2
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Saturday's Betway Handicap Chase at Kempton features plenty of experienced chasers but, with many of them well within the handicapper's grasp, the novice WHATMORE could take advantage of a light weight.
Henry Daly's gelding, a 140-plus rated hurdler, does not look too badly treated off 138 given the distinct possibility that he will develop into a better chaser and it's possible he would have finished a bit closer to Two For Gold and Hold The Note in last month's Grade Two Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick but for meeting interference on the home turn.
That was Whatmore's first attempt at this distance of three miles but he appeared to keep on well enough when his chance had gone having previously been taking on similarly good opposition when a ten length last of four behind Dashel Drasher at Haydock and when beaten less than four lengths behind Deyrann De Carjac (now 145) and Pym (152) at Huntingdon.
Clearly, this is a very different kind of race but 10st5lb is a very competitive weight and Tom O'Brien's mount can make a bold show.
In this race last year, Walt caused a bit of an upset when winning at 14/1 and Double Shuffle (second), Adrien Du Pont (third), Romain De Senam (fourth) and Talkischeap (fifth) all return but the biggest potential rival to the selection could be Kildisart who has twice run well at Kempton (over hurdles) in the past and developed into a smart chaser last season.
Like many of his stable companions, Ben Pauling's eight-year-old has been a bit below par this term but will likely be running on better ground here, and perhaps a similar surface he encountered when winning at Aintree last April having previously run an excellent fourth behind Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation in the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Dropped 5lb by the handicapper after some lifeless efforts (on deep going) this season, Kildisart is becoming well enough handicapped to stage some sort of revival.
Kempton's card can often provide a few 11th hour clues to next month's Festival and the novice races plus the re-staged Kingwell Hurdle may pay to watch closely, but, at a lower level, MYSTICAL CLOUDS is fancied to land the Heed Your Hunch Betway Handicap Chase later in the day.
Despite showing promise, this lightly-raced grey may not have had his ideal conditions in two chase starts so far and, if the word 'good' appears in the going description, a better performance can be expected.
On one previous visit to Kempton (good to soft), Mystical Clouds finished third in what has turned out to be a hot novices' hurdle in which he was beaten by Pym and The Cashel Man with the recent Newbury second Manvers House 11 lengths behind him in third.
On that form, Alan King's gelding is potentially thrown-in off a chase rating of 123 and, in his column in this week's 'Racing Post Weekender', the trainer was optimistic that this is a horse who should win races.
Ibleo bids for a rapid three-timer after wins against modest opposition at Wincanton and Huntingdon (on Thursday) for which he picks up a penalty.
Ground conditions are likely to be more extreme at Newcastle (there is an 8am inspection) where, as in the past, the Vertem Eider Handicap Chase over four miles and a furlong could develop into the slog of slogs.
Ideally, one would be looking for horses with form over marathon trips and both Prime Venture and Petite Power fit the bill but, in a weak renewal, CALIPSO COLLONGES has easily the best bit of form on offer.
While he will be going further than ever before, Olly Murphy's gelding is the most likely winner if he stays based on his second to the progressive Lord Du Mesnil in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December when he had subsequent Peter Marsh winner Vintage Clouds seven lengths behind him in third.
A 3lb rise looks more than reasonable given the subsequent exploits of those two rivals and Calipso Collonges looked a strong enough stayer when rattling up a four-timer over hurdles in February and March of 2018.
Related horse racing links
- Sky Bet's racing odds
- Free horse racing betting tips
- Cheltenham Festival guide
- All today's racecards
- Today's fast results
- Today's full results
- Non-runners
- Today's Goings
- Today's Naps Table
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.