Robin Goodfellow’s Racing Tips: Best bets for Saturday, April 24
Side with SCEAU ROYAL (Sandown, 3.05) to be crowned the bet365 Celebration Chase hero.
So often the nearly horse, there should be few excuses today for Alan King’s likeable nine-year-old, who appears to have his optimum conditions at the Esher venue.
Standing in the way of a second Grade One course win is the formidable duo of Altior and Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On, both of whom appeared to have the selection’s measure when they met before.
Sportsmail’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Saturday’s meetings
However, those who witnessed the dramatic two-mile Cheltenham feature will surely afford sympathy for Sceau Royal, who was virtually brought to his knees after jumping the third last when rider Daryl Jacob was squeezed on the rail.
To be beaten less than four lengths in those circumstances was an excellent performance and the handicapper has rated that run, and Sceau Royal’s smooth defeat of Champ at Newbury in February, as career-best displays so he appears to be as good as ever.
There is every chance that blessed with a clear passage, Sceau Royal can trouble Put The Kettle On, but the sizeable presence of multiple Celebration Chase winner Altior could be another matter.
Unbeaten in all five course starts, the former champion has won the last three renewals of this end-of-season marquee chase and his appearance today adds depth to a contest blessed with plenty of quality. Quite how Altior will enjoy a true-run two miles on good ground at this stage of his career is open to question though as Ornua, stablemate of Put The Kettle On, is unlikely to hang around.
Adding the headgear may sharpen a mind jaded by seven years of competition but, the last time he was asked to breach the pain barrier at Kempton in the Desert Orchid Chase over Christmas, it did not end happily.
Sceau Royal was also a casualty that day, falling at the fifth, but that was a rare blip for the nimble gelding and he can gain just rewards for his consistency today.
King could enjoy a red-letter day if ON TO VICTORY (Sandown, 1.55) begins the meeting with victory in the opener, while POTTERMAN (Sandown, 3.40) makes plenty of appeal in the bet365 Gold Cup given his preference for good ground.
SANDOWN
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
1.55 On To Victory
2.30 Frodon
3.05 Sceau Royal (nap)
3.40 Potterman (nb)
4.15 Captain Zebo
4.50 Killer Clown
5.25 L’Homme Presse
GIMCRACK
1.55 On To Victory
2.30 Frodon (nap)
3.05 Sceau Royal (nb)
3.40 Irish Prophecy
4.15 Younevercall
4.50 Killer Clown
5.25 Cascova
LEICESTER
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.30 Like Sugar
1.00 Bellarena Lady
1.35 Able Kane
2.10 Mums Tipple
2.45 Liverpool Knight
3.20 Double Reflection
3.55 Possible Man
4.30 Kingmania
GIMCRACK
12.30 Nine Elms
1.00 Bellarena Lady
1.35 Able Kane
2.10 Pogo
2.45 Dancing King
3.20 Pilot Wings
3.55 Traila
4.30 Keep Right On
NEWMARKET – 2.45 Liverpool Knight (nb)
RIPON
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
2.05 Alaskan Jewel
2.40 Cuban Breeze
3.15 Faylaq
3.50 Themaxwecan
4.25 Staxton
5.00 Artistic Rifles
5.35 Dubawi Sands
GIMCRACK
2.05 Alaskan Jewel
2.40 Batraan
3.15 Faylaq
3.50 Themaxwecan
4.25 Desert Safari
5.00 Artistic Rifles
5.35 Kolisi
NORTHERNER – 4.25 Muscika (nap); 5.00 Artistic Rifles (nb).
HAYDOCK
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
2.15 Dhushan
2.50 Dreamloper
3.25 Lady Rockstar
4.00 Alabama Boy
4.35 Ascension
5.05 Mr Coco Bean
5.40 Production
GIMCRACK
2.15 Dhushan
2.50 Dreamloper
3.25 Dawndiva
4.00 Menai Bridge
4.35 Finest Sound
5.05 Civil Law
5.40 Dana Forever
NEWMARKET – 4.35 Finest Sound (nap)
DONCASTER
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
4.10 Cometh The Man
4.45 Armor
5.20 Chief of Staff
5.55 Thibaan
6.30 Law Of One
7.00 Fairmac
7.30 Angel Of The Glen
8.00 Mac Ailey
GIMCRACK
4.10 Tees Spirit
4.45 El Caballo
5.20 Skyrunner
5.55 Silent Hunter
6.30 A Star Above
7.00 Summer Power
7.30 Quickstep Lady
8.00 Coviglia
