Frodon, Beer Goggles and Calett Mad set for Saturday success
Published:
Trio head Saturday’s picks
The Cotswold Chase and the Great Yorkshire Hurdle headline a seven-race card on ITV this afternoon.
Bristol De Mai is expected to go off as favourite in the feature at Cheltenham, while L’Ami Serge is the jolly at Doncaster.
There are also five other races on a top-quality card split between the two premier courses.
The Coral News Team have picked out their tips for all seven fixtures across the afternoon…
There’s no better place to start than with the first race at Doncaster. Eight runners look set to line-up to contest the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. In a field packed with rookie talent, the Coral News Team think there’s a lot to be said for the well-priced Calett Mad.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge finished a distant fifth on his last appearance in November. He has since undergone wind surgery and will be helped by taking on a field devoid of proven quality.
The extended distance will also be in the six-year-old’s favour as he bids for a second success in four attempts around Cheltenham. In a field comprised of highly-progressive types, Calett Mad’s extra experience at this level could prove the difference.
The Crest Nicholson Handicap Chase is a wide-open affair. And that should leave space for Frodon to mount a challenge. Paul Nicholls’ charge has finished third twice and been beaten into second by Might Bite and Gold Present in two of his last three runs.
He’s shown gradual improvement and looked particularly good under Bryony Frost last time out. The young jockey has a knack of getting the best out of her rides and has guided Black Corton and Milansbar to black-type success in recent times.
Frodon is a solid jumper who has won at Cheltenham before in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. He likes a bit of cut in the ground and with Frost in the saddle should be seriously considered for top-honours in a race that lacks star quality.
One of the stories of the racing year so far was Beer Goggles eclipsing Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry to land the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. Sadly, trainer Richard Woollacott has since passed away.
His seven-year-old star has been passed onto wife Kayley who will have the son of Oscar chomping at the bit for Cheltenham success. He’s always finished in the frame over 3m or longer, while that victory last time out just goes to prove his undoubted class.
He’s available at a more than tempting price this afternoon and can take advantage of Finian’s Oscar’s long stint away from hurdling.
1:50 Cheltenham – Frodon
2:05 Doncaster – Calett Mad
2:25 Cheltenham – Definitly Red
2:40 Doncaster – Maria’s Benefit
3:00 Cheltenham – Slate House
3:15 Doncaster – Warriors Tale
3:35 Cheltenham – Beer Goggles
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
