Impaire Et Passe, who runs in the Gr 2 Select Hurdle, can secure a historic British Trainers Championship for many-times Irish Champion Trainer Willie Mullins (Picture: Timeform)
1 2:50 PM (SA Time) – bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
FIERCELY PROUD has progressed nicely throughout his novice hurdle campaign and the five-year-old, who emerged with plenty of credit for his efforts in a brace of Grade 2’s at Doncaster and Kempton, may well be underestimated on his handicap debut by a mark of 130. Secret Squirrel returned to winning ways under a penalty at Taunton earlier in the month and may prove better in this kind of scenario. Fire Flyer had excuses when underperforming in the EBF Final and the return to a sounder surface makes him a threat, while Be Aware and Geezer Rockstar appeal most of the remainder.
Top Tip: FIERCELY PROUD (4)
Watch out for: SECRET SQUIRREL (7)
2 3:25 PM – bet365 Oaksey Chase (Grade 2) (For The Menorah Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race)
Things may not have gone to plan for THE REAL WHACKER following his Brown Advisory success but the eight-year-old has an excellent opportunity to finish the season on a high. The Gold Cup ended up proving a step too far on ground that was probably softer than ideal and a track of this nature should bring out the best in this bold-jumping type. Hitman sports blinkers for the first time and would have every chance based on his runner-up effort in the Denman Chase at Newbury, while a sounder surface is definitely in the favour of Ga Law, who was pulled up in the Ryanair when last seen.
Top Tip: THE REAL WHACKER (3)
Watch out for: HITMAN (5)
3 4:00 PM – bet365 Celebration Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
EL FABIOLO fluffed his lines when making a race-ending blunder early in the Champion Chase and was immediately pulled up by Paul Townend. The seven-year-old, who had gone unbeaten over fences prior, finally has his rematch with old rival Jonbon, with Nicky Henderson’s star having to miss Cheltenham, and while that rival arrives at the top of his game following a hard-fought victory in the Melling Chase at Aintree, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if Willie Mullins’ charge had too much in the locker, granted a clear round of jumping. Edwardstone fell two out when fighting a losing battle in the Champion Chase and it will be interesting to see how connections play their cards on this occasion.
Top Tip: EL FABIOLO (4)
Watch out for: JONBON (6)
4 4:35 PM – bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
Title-chasing Dan Skelton has shown on multiple occasions this season how adept he is at targeting one at a big handicap and 2022 Coral Gold Cup winner LE MILOS may fall into that bracket. Unbeaten in two starts here, the nine-year-old has solely run over the smaller obstacles this season, all the while protecting his chase mark for a tilt at this valuable prize. A comfortable winner of this contest last year, Kitty’s Light should be thereabouts again, though he will need to get over his Grand National exertions from a fortnight ago when he finished an admirable fifth. Threeunderthrufive deservedly regained the winning thread at Ascot in February and he is a player, along with Irish Grand National third Minella Cocooner and Amirite, who should relish this ground. Others to note include Nick Rockett, Rapper and Weveallbeencaught.
Top Tip: LE MILOS (5)
Watch out for: KITTY’S LIGHT (7)
5 5:10 PM – bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)
A somewhat controversial winner of the Aintree Hurdle when causing interference on the run-in, IMPAIRE ET PASSE still looked the best horse in the race despite his errant ways and he could be the one to seal a historic British trainer’s title for Willie Mullins. Anything like his best should be good enough, although connections of Langer Dan may feel confident of overturning the form from Aintree and a return to the Esher track should not inconvenience him, having won the Imperial Cup here in 2021. Runner-up to the latter in the Coral Cup and now 10lb better off at the weights, Ballyadam is a capable sort on his day and cannot be ruled out either.
Top Tip: IMPAIRE ET PASSE (4)
Watch out for: LANGER DAN (5)
6 5:45 PM – bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
The front-running NICKLE BACK could give weight and a beating to these rivals. This represents a significant drop in class, having contested either Grade 1 or Grade 2 events on his last four starts, and he can easily be excused a lacklustre performance at Aintree where hampered at the start. He produced a career-best performance over this C&D in the Scilly Isles only two starts ago and if running to a similar level again, he will prove extremely hard to beat. Harry Cobden won’t want to give the selection too much rope aboard the hat-trick seeking Outlaw Peter and he might put up most resistance. Martator has obvious form claims but Venetia Williams has been quiet of late, and Bourbali might surprise one or two just 3lb higher than when runner-up over hurdles at this meeting last year.
Top Tip: NICKLE BACK (1)
Watch out for: OUTLAW PETER (2)
7 6:20 PM – bet365 Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
Authorised Speed hasn’t taken to fences this season but it would come as no surprise to see the dual course scorer run a massive race on his hurdling return, while Bad has threatened to win a big handicap since joining Ben Pauling and shouldn’t be underestimated in a first-time tongue-tie. Willie Mullins saddles a couple of interesting runners in Gold Dancer and Sa Majeste, but PIC ROC looks the most solid option. Steadily progressive over timber this campaign, he backed up an impressive Ascot victory with a cracking second-placed effort in the EBF Final over C&D last time. A 5lb rise for that performance looks fair and he is fancied to go one better, confirming form with the third and subsequent winner Emailandy in the process.
Top Tip: PIC ROC (12)
Watch out for: EMAILANDY (8)
