‘He might be an absolute freak’ – Jason Heavey’s Saturday ideas
The Daily Star Chief Tipster says his selection in the Coral Gold Cup could have the world at his feet, while former champion hurdler Constitution Hill should bounce back at Newcastle
MYRETOWN (2.55) can run his rivals ragged in super competitive Coral Gold Cup.
It takes a pretty special horse to win this race first time out – only four have done it in the past 16 years.
And two of those were Cheltenham Gold Cup winners – the mighty Denman and Bobs Worth.
Myretown’s runaway success in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in March marked him out as a potential freak of nature.
It was a remarkable performance – even if it was off bottom weight – and the assessor has slapped him with a 15lb rise.
But if he is still ahead of the handicapper then a repeat of the demolition job will see him go very close.
His trainers Lucinda Russell (above) and Michael Scudamore have been bullish CONSTITUTION HILL (2.00) can take a successful first step on his road to redemption at Newcastle today.
The former champion hurdler made headlines for the wrong reasons when falling at both Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring before looking a shadow of his former self at the Punchestown Festival.
Today he lines up in a belting renewal of the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle against a couple of exciting young pretenders.
Nicky Henderson has exuded a quiet confidence that Constitution Hill is in tip-top shape with racecourse gallops seeming to confirm that view.
But the proof of the pudding will be in his jumping.
He won this race in 2022 and I fancy him to see off The New Lion and Anzadam.
The New Lion had a peerless record as a novice hurdler culminating in victory at Cheltenham although he may be better over further, while the ex-French Anzadam missed Cheltenham after hacking up in two Grade Three races for Willie Mullins.
KONFUSION (3.15) got rid of his jockey at Haydock when going well last Saturday and can gain compensation in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase at the Gosforth Park track. He looks well handicapped and can make the most of the weight he gets from Cruz Control and Deafening Silence.
FRENCH SHIP (1.40, nb) is a strong favourite at Newbury in the Coral-sponsored handicap hurdle. He dotted up at Cheltenham on his latest start and as long as it doesn’t rain too much he will be hard to beat with Harry Cobden in the plate.
INDEEVAR BLEU (2.15) is fragile but talented and is a tentative selection in the Coral Racing Club Gerry Feilden Hurdle. He gets more than a stone from the classy Live Conti and Give It To Me Oj.
DOYEN DU BAR (3.35) won three novice chases last season and is now in the care of Nicky Richards.
Cobden has been snapped up to ride him in the two-mile handicap chase and the pair are a tempting proposition at 8-1 in the final race of six live on ITV.
Elsewhere I really fancy LE YACHT (2.42) at Doncaster while at Bangor REGAL RENAISSANCE (12.02) should be fitter for a recent run and can score for Henry Daly. SO ALEX (8.30) looks a good thing at Wolverhampton.
JASON HEAVEY’S SATURDAY TIPS
NEWBURY
11.55 Charisma Cat
12.30 Hunter Legend
1.05 Kiwi Rush
1.40 French Ship (nb)
2.15 Indeevar Bleu
2.55 Myretown (trb)
3.35 Doyen Du Bar
NEWCASTLE
11.42 Le Beau Madrik
12.15 Grand Geste
12.50 Just Golden
1.25 Dom Of Mary (Nap)
2.00 Constitution Hill
2.35 Brace For Landing
3.15 Konfusion
BANGOR ON DEE
11.00 Hardly Surprising
11.30 Idaho Sun
12.02 Regal Renaissance
12.37 Georges Saint
1.12 Kahavari
1.47 Bridget Mary
DONCASTER
11.48 Storming George
12.22 Southoftheborder
12.57 Madame Luna
1.32 High Dancer
2.07 No Regrets
2.42 Le Yacht
3.22 Ashburton
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.30 Palmeira
5.00 Lavender Gold
5.30 Diamondinthedark
6.00 Bahadur
6.30 Woodhay Whisper
7.00 Cotiere
7.30 Liberty Bird
8.00 Megaphone
8.30 So Alex
