The Timeform Sporting Life racing experts combine to provide their best bets ahead of Saturday's action.
Racing betting tips: Saturday December 7
1pt win Henri The Second in 1.15 Sandown at 5/1 (William Hill, bet365)
1pt win Richmond Lake in 1.32 Aintree at 100/30 (William Hill, bet365)
1pt e.w. Major Dundee in 2.07 Aintree at 20/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3,4)
Henri The Second - 1.15 Sandown (Nic Doggett)
A Grade 2 winner on soft ground here as a novice – a race that his half-brother Enrilo won, too - HENRI THE SECOND made an encouraging return to action when fourth back at this venue last month and, with the step up to a staying trip well worth exploring (Enrilo went on to win over three miles), he's an appealing candidate.
A Timeform ‘Horse In Focus’ following his staying-on pipe-opener last month – for which he has been dropped a further 2 lb – Henri The Second can get back to winning ways.
Richmond Lake - 1.32 Aintree (Dan Barber)
Sometimes Goldilocks finds her porridge has the correct temperature and her mattress the perfect spring. And if RICHMOND LAKE were the central figure in a racing version of that ancient fairytale, then bottomless ground around two and a half miles at Aintree would be ‘just right’.
Indeed, Richmond Lake won the same race in 2023 and now finds himself on exactly the same mark, which is compelling enough even without factoring in his encouraging, strong-travelling return in the Grand Sefton.
Now all this racing Goldilocks has to do is bring it all to bear.
Major Dundee - 2.07 Aintree (Phil Turner)
Biblical rain in the North West over the past 48 hours suggests we could get another heavy-ground Becher Chase which will place the emphasis much more on stamina than might have been expected.
Given that backdrop, MAJOR DUNDEE makes plenty of appeal at long odds despite having to race from just outside the weights. He relishes the mud and is building up a fine record in long-distance chases – he won the 2023 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, finished third in the Scottish Grand National the previous spring and would have also made the frame in last season’s Eider Chase but for unseating after an uncharacteristic late error.
He shaped as if retaining all of his ability until the lack of a recent run told on his reappearance at Bangor last month and, with Alan King’s team of jumpers in rude health at present, a bold bid is expected on his debut over the National fences.
Published at 1445 GMT on 06/12/24
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