Siskany Is the Bet of the Day but All Eyes Are on Cheltenham
Author:
Roy Brindley
The flat racing season officially ended last weekend. However, this Saturday there are flat turf cards at Newbury and Doncaster! The world of British horse racing works in mysterious ways. On the level Siskany rates the best bet of the day but jumps racing at Cheltenham is where you will find the most excitement.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has had an outstanding 2021 and his stable heads into next season with an embarrassment of riches. But he has not pulled the shutters down on his operation just yet and more group race success could come his way at Newbury on Saturday.
Jumps racing is back and will take center stage throughout the winter months. ©DavidOwen
Improving Siskany Gets the Nap
In the Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes, due off at 2.35 pm, the Newmarket-based trainer saddles Siskany who is expected to take the step from handicap company into group race level in his stride.
Showing gradual improvement throughout the spring and early summer, two weeks ago Siskany returned from a gelding operation and 72 days of rest to beat 14 rivals in Newmarket’s Old Rowley Cup Handicap with consummate ease.
Carrying top-weight on that occasion, he looks the type of horse who could compete at the very highest level over staying trips next season. Indeed, Charlie Appleby may have another superstar on his hands. Whatever his future holds, Siskany gets our nap for Saturday.
Jump Racing Is Back at Its Spiritual Home
The official end to the flat season means jumps racing will now truly kick into gear. There was some excellent action at Chepstow a fortnight ago. But on Saturday, the National Hunt set will descend on the so-called ‘home of jumps racing’, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham.
The track’s seven-race card kicks off with a big-field conditional jockeys handicap hurdle. Normally a minefield for punters, this looks at the mercy of Samarrive and three-pound claiming rider Lorcan Williams.
A maiden hurdle winner on his only start in France, this Paul Nicholls’ trained horse proved way too good for seven rivals on his British debut at Kempton in April. He does shoulder 11-stone 11-pound on Saturday and four of Samarrive’s rivals were last-time-out winners.
Nevertheless, this horse’s current handicap mark could be well below his true ability so he is fancied to get favorite punters off to a winning start. Ladbrokes were offering industry top-priced 9/4 about Samarrive when the 48-hour declarations were made public.
Will Tritonic Frank Festival Form?
The first five races of Saturday’s Cheltenham meeting will be broadcast by ITV Racing. While the channel will be disappointed by just four runners lining up in the third contest, the presence of Triumph Hurdle fifth, Tritonic will please true jumps fans.
This Alan King-trained horse has had two spins on the flat during the summer so Tritonic should be fit enough for this two-mile hurdle assignment. Vitally his connections have previously stated their horse likes ground on the faster side of good – that is exactly what is forecast for Saturday.
But this is no easy assignment. Stepney Causeway has won his last four starts, all at the end of the 2020/21 jumps season. His trainer recently announced the horse has had surgery to help his breathing. Who knows what improvement that procedure could bring about?
I Like To Move It is another fascinating contender. Considered good enough to contest last season’s Champion Bumper here at Cheltenham, he won his only hurdle start easily just two weeks ago. Hailing from the powerful Nigel Twiston-Davies yard, he is not one to dismiss easily.
Top Dog in the Bumper?
And so, the third Saturday selection goes in the final contest of the day, a National Hunt Flat Race at 5.15 pm. Races like this are always stacked full of unknown quantities and ‘whisper horses’. Top Dog is no exception.
On his only start in his native Ireland this four-year-old narrowly failed to land a morning gamble when finishing second. He still displayed a high cruising speed and beat short-priced horses representing the powerful Willie Mullins and Joseph O’Brien yards.
Top Dog is now in the care of Emma Lavelle. The Wiltshire-based trainer always has a small but very talented string, and she currently has her horses in fine-fettle. The last ten days have seen her send out two winners and four second-placed finishers from just ten runners.
Saturday’s Top Tips:
- Siskany (2.35 pm Newbury)
- Samarrive (1.45 pm Cheltenham)
- Top Dog (each-way 5.15 pm Cheltenham)
