Events / Wayne Bailey / 19 November 2009 / 1

Wayne Bailey looks forward to The Ascot Hurdle and Aintree's Becher Chase - and he also has some bitter words on the France/Ireland match!

Following his second place to Solwhit in the Dobbins & Madigans at Punchestown Hurdle, I was hoping that Noel Meade would let Muirhead travel across the water for the Coral Ascot Hurdle on Saturday but judging by the early markets, he's highly unlikely to participate. I've been following this horse for a while and the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse is the next obvious target although I read that Meade is still toying with the idea of trying out the Fighting Fifth. Wherever he goes, he's one to note.

The Ascot Hurdle is a tricky one to call and a good case could be made for at least three or four horses - but the more I study the card, the more I'm warming to Alan King's Katchit at a fairly juicy [9.0]. It's fair to say that the six-year-old has been very disappointing since his 2008 Champion Hurdle win and he's never been the same since his flop in handicap company at Wincanton the following November.

He's been frustrating to follow as he's a better horse than his form figures suggest, and it seems to me that King has been picking the wrong races for the gelding. King's honesty in this regard has been refreshing and he's optimistic that he can get the animal back on track this season:

"I made a mess of Katchit last season and he never totally got over Wincanton... It was a hard race, he lost a lot of weight and it knocked the edge off him. He has got slower and he needs a trip now. I can't wait to go three miles with him but we'll start at Ascot and go up in stages."

With Tony McCoy on board, Karabak will be seen as the stable's first string in the race and he certainly has strong claims - but his price is just a little short for my liking so I think I'll swerve him for now.

The likely favourite Zaynar is also a huge danger with Henderson coming into form and the four-year-old is building a nice picket fence beside his name. I can't say anything bad about the gelding but again, it's all down to price and in such a competitive race [3.0] or thereabouts is just not acceptable. I'll take a look at the card again on raceday when I know what the going is like - but for now, Katchit gets a tentative vote at a decent price.

On Sunday, we go over the National fences for the Becher and as an Irishman, I'm particularly interested in watching how well or otherwise or chasers perform. With Ireland now cheated out of the World Cup thanks to a Thierry Henry handball and some disgraceful decisions, were relying on the racing and Jedward for some good news for our little country!

If I sound a little bitter, that's because I am. Why can't we have a video referee in football for goals at the very least? I know we can't compare to racing, but think of all the football punters who get screwed over due to bad decisions like this. There would be outrage in racing if someone cheated and bets were left standing. FIFA should enter the 21st Century and allow video reviews for obvious mistakes - but then again, it suits them to have a big team qualify so we just have to put up with it. FIFA's logo is 'Fair Play'. Fair play me arse!

But I digress - back to the racing...

For years, I always took on Michael Hourigan-trained horses when he sent them to the UK as his record was abysmal across the water - but the likes of Amie Magnificent, Meet The Parents and Turf War have made amends in 2009 so he's no longer the lay machine he once was.

Indeed, it's a Hourigan horse that interests me most on Sunday and A New Story seems a good deal overpriced at [15.0]. He's certainly no spring chicken and the eleven-year-old now has an incredible 73 races under the belt (winning five) but he loves a good test and a bit of rain would prove helpful. Another Irish raider Vic Venturi is at the top of the early market but he hides no secrets from the handicappers and may struggle at these weights.

Best of luck with your Aintree betting!

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1. Stu | 20 November 2009

   2/1 for Zaynar seems very short for me. There's better value elsewhere. Katchit and Whiteoak both have to come into the equation.

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