Selections for Saturday 5th of November 2022
1.15 Wincanton
2 points Win McFabulous (1/1 Bet365 or 10/11 Coral/ Ladbrokes)
McFabulous looked an exciting prospect as a Novice Chaser last season before he had a setback and reverted back to hurdles. He had smart hurdles form having won the Relkeel Hurdle at Kempton and the Select Hurdle at Sandown. He has the raw talent to beat some more experienced chasers in the shape of Sebastopol and Hang In There. He will have been well schooled for this and Paul Nicholls doesn’t seem to have any worries about his jumping. The distance, flat track and ground are all in his favour.
1.50 Wincanton
1 point each way Enrilo (9/2 Skybet, 5 places or else 5/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ 888 sports/ Betvictor/ Betway, 4 places)
Frodon will be the horse that most people will be watching in the Badger Beer Chase having swerved Down Royal but I feel stablemate Enrilo is a danger. Off a mark of 143 he is handicapped to be a danger to all if a wind op over the summer has worked. He is on the same mark as when demoted to third in the Gold Cup Chase at Sandown last year. Paul Nicholls has been open about the fact this has been an early season target and he surely has a great each way shout if his breathing issues have been resolved.
1.30 Doncaster
1 point each way Moon De Vega (6/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
Ralph Beckett has won the last two renewals of this contest and has another lively contender in the shape of Moon De Vega. She has been highly tried in races like the Cheshire Oaks at Chester and the Cazoo Oaks at Epsom. Her last run was in the Group Three at Newcastle where she finished fourth. She won her maiden on soft ground here at Doncaster as a two year old, so she should handle the ground. She remains potentially a very smart filly especially on this ground.
3.13 Doncaster
1 point each way Nathanael Greene (15/2 Skybet, 7 places or else 8/1 Bet365, 6 places)
William Haggas has called Adam Farragher for the ride on Nathanael Greene and this valuable 3lbs claimer has had some good success when riding for this trainer. More importantly he has form on soft ground having won over one mile six furlongs at Haydock last July. He was fourth last time at York over one mile six furlongs when he led two furlongs out before fading (presumably needing the run) Stall 15 looks fine as the last single number stall to win was Art Scholar back in 2012.
1.01 Aintree
1 point each way Deise Aba (14/1 Skybet, 4 places or else 14/1 Betvictor/ Boylesports/ Betway, 3 places)
I find it hard to understand the 14/1 available for Deise Aba in this. Many of these are Staying Chasers (including Deise Aba) in here, but he was only a neck second in this last year off a mark of 135. He has had only four starts over hurdles and has won twice on the back of breaks. He goes well fresh, has conditions to suit and looks very much overlooked in the market.
2.11 Aintree
1 point each way Gesskille (12/1 Bet365, 4 places or else 9/1 Skybet, 5 places)
Gesskille gets in here at the bottom of the weights and could run a big race. The main negative is the lack of experience over these fences but has won two hunter Chases at Ludlow and Kempton. His last run was a win in a listed race at Auteuil in June. He is 3lbs wrong in the weights but could still have more to spare off a mark of 130. He will need every inch of this trip but if he finds a rhythm and can stay in touch early he should find plenty at the business end.
2.45 Aintree
2 points Win Brewinupastorm (6/5 Bet365 or 11/10 Generally)
Brewinupastorm has had a wind op since he disappointed in a course and distance Grade One last time in April. This may be a better renewal than last year when he won by an impressive nine lengths. Langer Dan is the young pretender but won’t find it easy giving away 4lbs to Brewinupastorm and Dashel Drasher. He seems to perform well when fresh the last few seasons so this might be the right time to catch him.
2.32 Down Royal
2 points Win Galvin (11/10 Generally)
There is little to split Galvin and Conflated in this but Galvin has the fitness edge over his stablemate. He was runner up to Frodon in this race last year and I feel this is a race he can take before heading to Leopardstown for the Savills Chase at Christmas. He beat Run Wild Fred by five and a half lengths on his seasonal reappearance at Punchestown which at least shows he retains last year’s ability. He should go very close here.
I decided to give the Breeders Cup a miss as I am not familiar with the American racing scene.
**Date & Time of next Selections Thursday 10th of November at 9pm..