TRM Raceday Preview - 30/10/2021

The first proper Saturday of the season for the National Hunt. Ascot, Wetherby, Down Royal and even an alright card at Musselburgh to enjoy. We've already picked apart the Charlie Hall and 7 runners go to post in a decent renewal of the race. I don't have the same expectations of the race as my elders do, as the race was a good starting point for proper Gold Cup horses. It's not anymore but Cyrname is still a high class horse on his day, and Shan Blue and Fusil Raffles could improve to be even better than their current marks. Glass half full and all that....

Ascot 1:35 - 2m3f (2m2f175y) Ascot Underwriting Chase (A Novices' Limited Handicap)

I'm really looking forward to this race. I think all of the runners could be decent handicappers over fences at the minimum. Solo was one of the talking horses at one point, with an impressive win by 13 lengths in the Adonis at Kempton back in 2020. He didn't really beat anything that day, but went into the Triumph as the talking horse. Failed to deliver in the Triumph and hasn't done anything since, he starts his novice chasing campaign and more is expected from him. I just hope he's not another horse whos career stutters as he spent too long over hurdles. Nicholls is one of the best trainers of a chaser around, and I've been disappointed that he hasn't elected to go over fences with Solo, Pic D'Orhy and now Monmiral, straight after their juvenile campaigns. It didn't do Frodon or Clan Des Obeaux any harm, but Nicholls has trained numerous Gold Cup winners and I haven't trained one, so I suspect he's doing the right thing. It's just a shame.

I'm expecting a great deal of the 4 year old Nassalam, who was a decent juvenile hurdler last year for the Moore family. A huge strapping son of Dream Well, he needs soft ground to be at his best but could be a huge unit over fences to have fun with over the season. I don't think you'll see the best of him until next season. Sizeable Sam and Sam Barton were decent novice hurdlers and can make their mark over fences, as they are both bred for the game. A no bet from me but I'm looking forward to the race.

Ascot 2:45 - 2m1f (2m167y) Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

The form race I'm going with in this good 2 mile handicap is Editeur Du Gite's win at Aintree in April last season in the Red Rum. However I'm not going with the 1-2 from that race in the aforementioned horse or Sully D'Oc (finished 2nd). Nor am I going with the 4th in that race either but I'll give a favourable mention to Frero Banbou, who will be a handicapper to follow for Venetia Williams, and probably prefers better ground rather than towing the line of his stablemates who all want soft conditions.

I'm actually going going to put up the 5th from that race in the Sam Thomas trained GREY DIAMOND. He could be another 2 mile handicapper to follow in the footsteps of his stablemate Before Midnight, the impressive winner at Cheltenham last weekend. Grey Diamond, son of Gris De Gris - who injects a little speed into his progeny - as mentioned was 5th in the Red Rum getting 2lb from Sully D'Oc, and giving 2lb to Editeur Du Gite. This time he gets weight from both including a stone from Sully D'Oc. This could make a huge difference, and gives Grey Diamond a good chance of reversing form with both. Whilst he's obviously a difficult horse to predict from the past, and he wears a hood, the move to Sam Thomas been a huge positive. 15/2 is a fair price to back each way, and I think he has plenty of improvement off 133. Another to note going forwards is the hugely talented ONE FOR ROSIE too. Whilst he has plenty of pace, I think he will need a little further in the future and is one for the notebook even if he performs below par here. I'd say he's the most talented horse in the field and if he gets his own way from the front, he could be hard to catch. I'd like to see him get more experience though, as he only has 2 outings over fences in small field novice chases after a lengthy lay off.

Selections:

Grey Diamond - 1pt e/w @ 15/2 (Bet365)

*NOTEBOOK ONE FOR ROSIE*

Wetherby 3:05 - 3m (3m45y) bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2)

7 run here in the big race of the day with only the mare Chilli Filli pulling out. Not a good race for each way backers like myself, and currently no bookmakers doing an extra place for the each way thieves with Cyrname currently making the market at 5/4. I'll paste the link below, but if anyone hasn't seen - we did a blog on all the contenders in the Charlie Hall below:

Click Me

I'll stick to my guns with a small bet on CLONDAW CASTLE at the 11/2 on the exchange. I feel he's the horse most suited to this race outside of Cyrname. A good traveller, jumps well and stays the 3 miles on a flat track well. Please read above for a more detailed version of the Charlie Hall.

Selections:

Clondaw Castle - 1pt win @ 11/2 (Betfair Exchange)