Charlie Hall Chase and racing from Newmarket offers punters paradise

Road to Cheltenham starts here but don’t discount the flat action from Newmarket

The jumps season seems to be getting quickly into full swing with the Charlie Hall Chase the first opportunity to see some Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders. This stage in the flat season though can be great for punters too. Many runners are exposed and tired after a long season giving a huge advantage to those coming here fresh and lightly raced.

Lack Of Competition For Silviniaco Conti In The Charlie Hall

I’ve often looked upon Silviniaco Conti as a horse to take on but his last two runs of last season really won me over and at this stage he is my idea of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. He won this easily 2 years ago and there looks to be little opposition for him to face here. The two market rivals are Taquin De Seuil who was well beaten in a weaker race than this on his seasonal reappearance and Menorah who has never won within 3 furlongs of this race distance. Silviniaco Conti may be a short price but he still looks value here.

Boston Can Make A Few Bob In Ireland

There is Grade 1 action from Down Royal in the 2.30 and On His Own, beaten just a short head in the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year, makes his seasonal reappearance. He was well behind Boston Bob and First Lieutenant last time out though and the three horses meet again. The former seems to have come into his own on his last two starts and if turning up in the same form here he’ll be almost impossible to beat.

Classic Generation Set To Shine In Headquarters Handicap

In the 2.00 the horses that can prove much better than their current marks are Exchequer and Donncha. Exchequer ran a blinder on his penultimate start after a break, only beaten a head by Consign. That was strong form with Consign finishing a close second at Ascot next time out. Exchequer was slightly below form at Kempton last time out but should enjoy this ground having chased home dual Group 1 winner Kingston Hill last season in a soft ground maiden.

Donncha has had only 5 career starts (2 this season) and he won his last start on soft ground, drawing clear with Melvin The Grate. That runner franked the form by winning a strong Haydock handicap next time out. That was Donncha’s first start since May so he could improve again with race fitness on his side. Donncha can end the season on a high with Exchequer following him home.

Mutakayyef Set To Play Bridesmaid Yet Again

The listed contest at 2.35 sees several runners renew rivalry after meeting in the Group 3 Darley Stakes last time out. Air Pilot (3rd in that race) only has a neck to make up on Mutakayyef and with William Haggas’ runner finishing 2nd in 5 of his 6 starts to date his attitude has to be called into question. Air Pilot can reverse the form with this extra furlong in his favour and with the horses being so closely matched Mutakayyef should be backed in a forecast to finish second once again, this time to Ralph Beckett’s Air Pilot.