Andrew Asquith has the Saturday best bets with the Nap in action at Wolverhampton.
Saturday selections
WHATS IN THE BAG – 6.45 Wolverhampton (NAP)
WHATS IN THE BAG was backed into favouritism on his third start for these connections at Lingfield earlier this month and, though he could only finish second, he didn’t get the clearest run through, still on the bridle more or less entering the straight and having to switch for a run which lost momentum before flying home.
He did well to get up for second, while his performance can also be upgraded when taking sectionals into account, with Whats In The Bag running the final two furlongs over half a second quicker than the winner who had a perfect run.
It remains early days with Sean Woods, whose small sample of horses are running very well at present (form figures of his horses since 21st November read: 332123) and I think Whats In The Bag will now prove himself well handicapped racing from the same mark.
HARRYS HOPE – 1.38 Hereford
HARRYS HOPE didn’t manage to win over hurdles last season, but she has thrived since switched to fences, making a winning start in this sphere at Southwell in October with plenty in hand.
She had no problem following up at Exeter seven days later under another confident ride and progressed further to make in three wins in a month at Stratford at the end of October.
Harrys Hope met with defeat for the first time over fences over this course and distance 24 days ago, but she went through that race like by far the best horse at the weights – she traded at 1.01 in-running on Betfair – and was just caught on the line by a thorough stayer after idling a little on the run-in. There are definitely more races to be won with her from this sort of mark and, given I’d expect her to be played later this time, she must have excellent claims of quickly resuming winning ways.
SUPREMELY WEST – 3.15 Haydock
SUPREMELY WEST enjoyed an excellent first season over hurdles, winning a couple of novice hurdles at Carlisle and Sedgefield, and showing improved form in defeats in handicaps after.
In fact, he didn’t finish out of the first two last season, and a notable piece of form came at Uttoxeter in March, when he pulled clear of the remainder with the progressive and well-handicapped Gwennie May Boy, who went on to win a big, competitive handicap at Aintree’s Grand National meeting on his next start.
Supremely West was strong enough in the betting on his return from seven months off at Hexham in October, but he did too much too soon and paid for that in the closing stages, looking tired. He has been given plenty of time to get over that and remains potentially well treated, while he will have no problem with forecast conditions.
KABRAL DU MATHAN – 3.35 Ascot
This is a good renewal of this competitive handicap, with several likely ahead of their mark, but KABRAL DU MATHAN has an excellent profile and could just be the best handicapped of the lot.
He won his sole start in France and was impressive on his British debut for Paul Nicholls at Huntingdon last season, having much more in hand than the official margin suggests, and also beating a next-time-out winner.
Injury ruled him out afterwards, but he looked very good on his recent return and handicap debut at Kempton, making a mockery of his opening mark. This will be the deepest water he’s been in, but he is just the sort to keep progressing through the ranks this season, and a subsequent 8lb rise for his Kempton success likely underestimates him.
ALREET CHA – 6.30 Newcastle
Craig Lidster has been in terrific form of late and ALREET CHA is fancied to provide the team with yet another winner.
She was found a good opportunity and deservedly opened her account in a minor event over this course and distance in October and, while she didn’t build on that immediately after, she ran a career best when beaten just a neck at the beginning of this month.
Alreet Cha was beaten only by a thriving mare on that occasion, who has won again since, collared only close home having overcome some trouble in-running to hit the front in the final furlong. This race doesn’t look any stronger and, from a good draw, in a race which should be run at a sound gallop, she seems sure to launch another bold bid.
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2024 winners
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