Wetherby racecourse will be relishing the fact that their prestigious Charlie Hall Chase race day this Saturday will be graced by none other than the reigning Champion Hurdler Golden Ace!
The mare may have won last year’s coveted Grade One championship in fortuitous fashion thanks to dramatic falls from Constitution Hill and State Man, but she is the champion, nevertheless. She is a warm order for the Grade 2 Mares Hurdle listed race.
The feature of this Bet365 sponsored meeting is The Charlie Hall Chase. We check out best bets and top odds for all the main races.
Wetherby Travel Details
Wetherby Racecourse is located approximately 15 miles centrally between York, Harrogate, and Leeds.
The track is situated on the B1224 just minutes from Junction 46 of the A1(M) (Wetherby Services). The postcode for SATNAV is LS22 5EJ.
The Bet365 Mares Hurdle
Champion Hurdler Golden Ace should win this in a canter having won the big prize back in March, albeit with a bit of luck. However, he followed this up with a courageous 4 length second behind State Man in the Punchestown Grade One in April.
The Skeltons have an excellent record in this race having saddled three of the last four winners of this race. Their mount Kateria will put it in a bold bid but needs to improve somewhat to trouble the favourite here.
Latest Betting:
Golden Ace 4/7 (William Hill)
Kateira 7/2 (Bet365)
SELECTION: Golden Ace 4/7 (William Hill)
The Bet365 Hurdle
Strong Leader, trained by Olly Murphy, is a deserved favourite after finishing second in the Liverpool Hurdle Grade One at Aintree last April and on paper should take all the beating in this Grade Two.
However, the Nigel Twiston-Davies charge Potters Charm is very much an autumn horse: he demolished the field in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November last year but did not sparkle in stronger company in higher grade spring races. This is much easier.
Take No Chances gets a squeak after finishing 9 lengths behind Lossiemouth in the Cheltenham Festival Mare Hurdle and with the mares 7ib weight allowance.
Latest Betting
Strong Leader 2/1 (William Hill)
Potters Charm 7/2 (William Hill)
Take No Chances 6/1 (Bet365, Betfred)
SELECTION: Potters Charm 7/2 (William Hill)
The Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase
Despite a lack of big box office names, it is a fascinating renewal of the Grade 2 chase and first listed stayers race of the season. The old dependable Protektorat leads the market, but he is not getting any younger whilst Pic D’Orhy only seems to bring his A game to Ascot. Both will doubtless put in bold bids.
Like most Venetia Williams trained horses, Djelo will need more cut in the ground here and Hewick, quoted as being 95% certain to take part, can be hit and miss but will be a major force to be reckoned with if he brings his 2023 King George winning form.
That leaves The Real Whacker, last year’s winner. The nine-year-old did not follow on from his success last year although he will be match fit after a run over hurdles at Perth last month. Overall, it seems weighting with the trainer might be the shrewd move here: Paul Nicholls has a great record at getting horses right for this race, so Pic D’Orhy narrowly gets the vote.
Latest Betting:
Protektorat 9/4 (Bet365)
Hewick 4/1 (Bet365, William Hill)
Pic D’Orhy 9/2 (William Hill)
Djelo 13/2 (William Hill)
The Real Whacker 7/1 (Bet365)
SELECTION: PIC D’ORHY win 9/2 (William Hill)
The Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle
Competitive handicap hurdle to round off our preview. Race favourite Woodland Park would not have to improve much on his bumper and maiden hurdle wins from last year, in his handicap debut. He also looks well in with the weights and is our fancy to land this one.
SELECTION: WOODLAND PARK
Recap
Race 1: The Bet365 Mares Hurdle
SELECTION: Golden Ace 4/7 (William Hill)
Race 2: The Bet365 Hurdle
SELECTION: Potters Charm 7/2 (William Hill)
Race 3: The Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase
SELECTION: PIC D’ORHY win 9/2 (William Hill)
Race 4: The Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap Hurdle
SELECTION: WOODLAND PARK
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