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Gordon's alive to Haydock test
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Mason just the man for Betfair Stayers' handicap
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Altobelli can strike at Ascot
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So impressive was the performance of Ma Shantou at Cheltenham in October that I spent a little time investigating odds for the Stayers' Hurdle straight afterwards.
Of course there is a world away from winning a Pertemps Qualifier off 129 and landing a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival, but trainer Emma Lavelle has previous having employed a similar route with Paisley Park who graduated through handicap company to the top table in the 2018-19 season.
The much-loved son of Oscar - well beaten in an Albert Bartlett like Ma Shantou - used this race as a stepping stone to festival glory, winning off a mark of 147 before landing the Long Walk Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle prior to his March success at the expense of Sam Spinner.
Ma Shantou is nowhere near those levels yet, but the manner of his comeback win did make me wonder if he was capable of making similarly giant strides this term.
He has the opportunity to take another step on the road to Cheltenham here, but my main concern is the form of his stable who were trading at a near 32 per cent strike rate in October, but are a below-par 0-16 in November.
It is a little short of a month since J J Moon won at Newton Abbot and, with that in mind, I'm reluctantly passing over Ma Shantou for the horse he beat at Cheltenham, Electric Mason.
In contrast, Chris Gordon's horses are 14-47 since the beginning of September and the relative of Ballabriggs really is bred to come into his own over these distances.
The selection bumped into The New Lion a couple of times last term and, after a couple of reverse in handicaps in the spring, began the campaign on what appeared a lenient mark.
Although nudged up 4lb for that fine second behind Ma Shantou, the six-year-old should still be highly competitive off 132 in this Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle and, given this is a valuable race in its own right, connections will surely be striving to lift the prize and not be thinking about March.
Back Electric Mason each-way
I seem to put up Navajo Indy for just about every handicap going, but with fairly good reason as he is a thoroughly likeable individual who usually gives his best in some of the most competitive events around.
With Tom Symonds in such good form at present, his six-year-old makes plenty of appeal again, even if he is, as yet, unproven over three miles.
A finishing speed percentage of 104 per cent at Cheltenham behind the talented French Ship suggested he wasn't coming to the end of his tether and his closing four-furlong sectional was second best in the race which endorsed the view that he hit the line strongly.
Today could be the day for him to finally land a big prize and, although he is yet to run at Haydock, the fact he has coped with Bangor and Windsor give me confidence that a tight track like the north west venue should hold no terrors.
Back Navajo Indy each-way
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When your sole defeat in eight hurdle races comes at the hands of multiple Grade 1 winner Lossiemouth and you are the clear pick on ratings, it is no surprise that Wodhooh is a red-hot favourite for her comeback in the Ascot Hurdle.
At first (and second) glance, Gordon Elliott's mare looks to have irrefutable claims, especially as she is receiving wedges of weight from all her rivals and has a good record fresh.
The layers understandably have been ultra-cautious in their pricing of the five-year-old and, with that in mind, I wonder if Altobelli might capitalise if there is any chinks in the armour of the market leader on her first start at Ascot.
In contrast, the selection knows the Royal venue almost as well as clerk of the course Chris Stickles, boasting track stats of 2311, with the last two successes achieved in the tongue tie and cheekpieces combination that he retains today.
Key to the seven-year-old's improvement has been the relationship with Bryan Carver. The duo have teamed up eight times and, if Altobelli's two runs in Grade 1 events at Aintree are excused, the partnership has won all six of their remaining outings together.
They have the opportunity to improve those remarkable stats here and I'm hopeful the fact this is a 'home tie' for Harry Fry's hurdler can see him pull off a mini surprise.
Betfair's Ryan McCue on Saturday's racing on Betfair Chase Day
Which horses have been the most backed antepost?
Woodhooh 5/42.25 from 2/13.00 (14:40 Ascot) and Handstands in the Betfair Chase (15:00 Haydock), 11/26.50 from as big as 33/134.00
Who do you expect the money to come for during the next few days?
I expect us to lay plenty of the double, The Jukebox Man & Grey Dawning. They were both very popular horses last season and look to hold big chances this weekend.
Which horses do you fear winning?
It will be any of the horses I've mentioned above, all have either been well-backed already or have the potential to be well-backed on the day, and of course that will mean they'll be included in many doubles and trebles, so if one wins, then another, then we could be in trouble.
What would be best/worst result for Betfair?
We laid a lot of Handstands at big prices (33/134.00 down) back in August time. He was obviously beaten at Carlisle on his comeback run but he is only 11/26.50 now and with that run behind him , I can't see him lacking for fitness in what is usually a gruelling race.
The Betfair traders' best bet for the weekend
Kabral Du Mathan on his first start for the Skeltons in the 13:15 Haydock.