We have a rare treat on Friday. We don’t expect too much in the way of prize money and high-class competitive racing outside of Saturdays at this time of year, but this Friday is different.
The Berkshire Winter Million begins at Windsor. The three-day meeting which also takes in Ascot is worth some £1.2 million in total prize money, attracting some nice types.
We also see the first official Trials Day for the All Weather Championships Finals at Newcastle this Easter. Winners on trials day, also at Newcastle, get free entry for the £1m+ big day on Good Friday, as well as being eligible for a bonus. We also have some good jumps racing from Market Rasen.
Elsewhere on a fascinating day, the Dubai Racing Carnival continues with only one week to go until Fashion Friday. That card features two Group 1’s as we head towards Super Saturday in early March and Dubai World Cup night in early April.
For betting purposes, we’re concentrating on the eight TV races, all shown on ITV4 this Friday afternoon. We’ve picked out our value selections for each race. Remember to keep the stakes small and just have a bit of fun with the bonus live racing action.
1.25 Market Rasen – Railway Hurricane
This near-2¾-mile handicap chase is part of the Vets’ Chase Series. True, they are all older horses and therefore not at their career best, but one horse does stand out.
Railway Hurricane, trained in Ireland by Gavin Cromwell, has being showing a proper level of form back home in recent times and is good value to give us a fair run for our money at a nice price.
1.50 Windsor – You Wear It Well
Paul Nicholls’ Caldwell Potter is the short-priced favourite for this four-runner novices’ chase, a Grade 2 which could have implications for the Cheltenham Festival markets. The one we like however is Jamie Snowden’s You Wear It Well.
There are no guarantees after her last run, but we know what was expected there. Had she delivered, natural progression from that run would give her enough at the weights to beat Caldwell Potter which is why she’s worth a small bet.
2.10 Newcastle – Cajetan
This is a fascinating race within the Sprint division for the All Weather Championships. The leaderboard will all change after this raceday, this heat being live on ITV.
In truth, it’s a basket case of a race. Well known horses such as Noble Truth (ex-Godolphin) and Marshman are capable of better than the handicapper expects, though it may still leave them vulnerable to young improvers below them.
It’s full field with a spread of pace, so going middle to high may be the only tangible draw advantage which is just one more tick in the boxes of the classy improver Cajetan (Jack Channon). We Never Stop, Malc and Heathcliff are others to consider.
2.25 Windsor – Party Vibes
This is a mares’ handicap chase, one in which all bar one were placed last time so the quality is there. Panic Attack is interesting on her first chase start for the Skeltons and could prove to be well handicapped, even more so though is Party Vibes who rates a small bet.
2.35 Market Rasen – Sam Brown
This is the Veterans’ Chase Series Final, run over three miles. Sam Brown, now 13, is a veteran among the veterans but he will have plenty of time over this trip to get into top gear. If he does so, he can still get the job done against this lot and is good value too.
3.00 Windsor – Iberico Lord
A close race. Iberico Lord (Nicky Henderson, JP McManus) fell last time so we don’t really know his full most recent achievement. He is back on the up however and is capable of better than this, he may also appreciate the step up in trip to 2½ miles.
He is twice the price of likely favourite Blueking d’Oroux, who also faces genuine challenges from Nemean Lion and Langer Dan.
3.10 Market Rasen – Dream Shadow
Back over at the “Raspberry”, as the inimitable John McCririck coined this track, we have a Listed bumper race. Ten runners take part in all.
Watch out for any money for the two Dan Skelton horses, but on all known evidence it seems Dream Shadow (Fergal O’Brien) may just be too strong for them.
3.35 Windsor – Kabral Du Mathan & Secret Squirrel
Our final live race comes during the Berkshire Winter Million at Windsor, a two-mile handicap hurdle. It’s a very tight heat, one befitting this sort of initiative.
There’s nothing certain here, but all things considered the safe plays are Kabral Du Mathan (Paul Nicholls) and Secret Squirrel (Hughie Morrison).
At 5/1 and 11/2 at the time of writing, you can Dutch your stakes and back both. A £20 budget in that case would mean a £10.4 bet on the Nicholls horse and a £9.60 wager on the Morrison runner.