Ahoy Senor is the right call in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (3.35) at Wetherby on Saturday.
The Grade 2 test brings together a strong field of three-milers, with old rivals Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame – the pair lock horns for the third time – at the head of the betting.
When the pair first met in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park last Christmas it was Paul Nicholls’ rookie who came out on top.
But Lucinda Russell’s stable star levelled the score with a five-length margin in the top-level Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April, in which Bravemansgame trailed in last of the four runners.
Russell is adamant the Derek Fox-partnered son of Dylan Thomas, who beat Grand National hero Noble Yeats in the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase over course and distance last February, is still learning his trade over the larger obstacles.
But there’s no doubting the power of the engine under the seven-year-old’s bonnet, and Ahoy Senor can cement his status as Britain’s leading Cheltenham Gold Cup hope – he is currently 8-1 third favourite for chasing’s blue riband – with a comeback victory.
Annsam can make a victorious return to the scene of his biggest payday to lift the Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.15) at Ascot.
Christmas came early for the Evan Williams-saddled son of Black Sam Bellamy last year as Annsam landed a big pot over course and distance on the Long Walk Hurdle undercard.
My selection made costly mistakes when pulled up at Kempton Park at the end of February but then got his career back on track over hurdles, signing off with a score at Newbury on April Fool’s Day.
Annsam has unfinished business over the larger obstacles and a rating of 139 – 5lb above his winning mark at Ascot last December – still looks within range.
With Williams’ team now moving through the gears, Adam Wedge’s mount is fancied to give a good account.
After being disqualified from first place thanks to a banned substance 12 months ago, AMOOLA GOLD is taken to recapture – and keep – the Byrne Group Handicap Chase (2.40).
Bridget Andrews drove the Dan Skelton trainee, who had won this race 12 months earlier, to a head margin over Monsieur Lecoq , an effort Amoola Gold followed with a short-head defeat at the hands of Before Midnight over the same course and distance three weeks later.
The nine-year-old then lost his form, triggering a fall down the weights, but his record at the track and his ability to go well fresh make him of definite interest.
The Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle (2.05) represents a good opportunity for HACKER DES PLACES to continue his upward curve.
Paul Nicholls’ top weight signed off for last season with a success at Aintree’s Grand National fixture and a 5lb rise in the handicap may not be enough to prevent the five-year-old from picking up where he left off.
The brilliant – if enigmatic – GOSHEN is expected to make his debut over fences a winning one in the opening Ascot Underwriting Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (1.30).
At Wetherby, SPORTING JOHN rates a worthy favourite for the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle (3.00).
The JP McManus-owned son of Getaway, who landed the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase the previous winter, returned to timber to land two of his three outings in the discipline last term, and still has more to offer.
Molly Ollys Wishes returns to defend her title in the Listed bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (2.25), but may find MARTELLO SKY and Bryony Frost hard to beat.
Lucy Wadham’s grey has a commendable strike rate, having been triumphant on six of her attempts over hurdles.
The latest victory came in Listed grade at Sandown Park in January, and the six-year-old still has the untapped potential to defy the 4lb penalty she earned that day.
Joe Dadancer ooks set to go off favourite for the opening bet365 Novices’ Hurdle (1.50), but preference is for AUTUMN RETURN.
A point-to-point winner, Ruth Jefferson’s daughter of Fame And Glory is unbeaten in two outings – an Ayr bumper and novice hurdle at Market Rasen – under Rules, and she has barely scratched beneath the surface.
NEWMARKET
1.03 SAFETY CATCH
1.38 MEDICI CHAPEL
2.13 IN THESE SHOES
2.48 ORCHESTRA
3.23 GHALY
3.58 KEEP IN TOUCH
4.33 NOBEL
5.08 DANCING TO WIN
GALWAY
1.08 CALICO
1.43 NUCKY JOHNSON
2.18 BABY ZEUS
2.53 SNAKE OIL
3.28 MERLIN GRANT
4.03 KILGOREY
4.38 TWOPLUSTWO EQUALS
5.13 ALLIBABA
AYR
1.23 NONBINDING
1.58 SON OF THE SOMME
2.33 SILVER FLYER
3.08 BUSTER VALENTINE
3.43 TRAPRAIN LAW
4.18 DUBAI DAYS
4.53 DUNNET HEAD
ASCOT
1.30 GOSHEN
2.05 HACKER DES PLACES
2.40 AMOOLA GOLD (NB)
3.15 ANNSAM
3.50 LEAVE OF ABSENCE
4.25 DREAM IN THE PARK
5.03 BILLY BOI BLUE
WETHERBY
1.50 AUTUMN RETURN
2.25 MARTELLO SKY
3.00 SPORTING JOHN
3.35 AHOY SENOR
4.10 DALYOTIN
4.45 INDIAN BRAVE
5.20 RAFFERTY’S RETURN
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.58 BEAUTIFUL STAR
5.30 LADY ZIANA
6.00 SAY GRACE (NAP)
6.30 LADY OF ARABIA
7.00 BELISA DE VEGA
7.30 SNOOZE LANE
8.00 SHADES OF SUMMER
8.30 BAD ATTITUDE
DOUBLE: SAY GRACE and AMOOLA GOLD
END
