Ed Quigley has a long-term look with his Antepost Armchair column to begin the week, while Fridays are all about the biggest weekend action, covered in Ed’s Weekend Watch column.
Throughout the year, make sure you check out Ed Quigley’s thoughts on Freebets!
Ed Quigley Weekend Watch - Saturday, April 20
Ed is back with his selections for Saturday’s horse racing action, which includes the Scottish Grand National live on ITV Racing at 3:35pm.
1:15pm Ayr - Pembroke
Dan Skelton is in overdrive to try to land the Trainers’ Championship, and the yard has strong claims with the talented PEMBROKE.
The seven-year-old has a lot of ability and could easily land a race of this nature. He has been found wanting on his last two starts at Grade 2 level, but could easily be getting back in the shake-up here off a mark of 143 returning to Handicap company.
A recent wind operation could have done the trick, and he should find this easier than most recent assignments. The drop back down in trip looks like a positive move, and I can see him being ridden aggressively from the front to make use of his jumping. Pembroke looks like a lively contender here.
2:05pm Newbury - Relief Rally
RELIEF RALLY represents the Tom Marquand and William Haggas combination, and this filly will be looking to kick on after a terrific two-year-old campaign.
She won four of her five starts, with the only defeat coming in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot when she was beaten on the line. She has shaped like she has plenty of stamina for sprint trips and succeeded when upped to 6f in the Lowther, storming home to win.
On that performance alone, she looks worth a crack at 7f. She’s a class act and can take a bigger step forwards now her stamina is being drawn out further. Already successful at Group 2 level, she can stamp her authority on this field.
2:25pm Ayr - Favour And Fortune
Alan King and Tom Cannon team up with FAVOUR AND FORTUNE who looks one to take note of on handicap debut.
A mark of 138 could underestimate him, as he seems to have much in his favour coming into this. Drying ground will aid the cause of the six-year-old, who has been set some very tough tasks in recent times. Most noticeably, when competing in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last time out, he was far from disgraced in finishing sixth - beaten just under 10 lengths by Slade Steel.
That was a good run in the circumstances on deep ground that wouldn’t have been ideal, and he was always on the back foot after a mistake at the first Hurdle.
This strong travelling sort has the tools to get involved at the business end of proceedings and is my selection for what should be a cracker.
3:35pm Ayr - Gold Cup Bailly (Each-Way)
The Scottish Grand National looks like a bit of a puzzle, but I will roll the dice with an individual who brings some excellent course form to the table.
GOLD CUP BAILLY has been off the track for a year but has two wins from four visits to the Scottish venue and has a good record fresh. It is hard to imagine that connections will have him undercooked for this encounter, and eased to a mark of 140, he looks a massive price in a wide-open race.
J J Slevin takes the ride on this unexposed eight-year-old, and I think the combination could easily get in the mix from an each-way perspective.
Ed’s Antepost Selections:
Firefox @ 14/1 - Arkle Challenge Trophy, Cheltenham Festival (Tipped 14/03/24)
Monty’s Star @ 20/1, Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham Festival (Tipped 14/03/24)
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
About Ed Quigley
Ed Quigley grew up just outside Cheltenham & spent over a decade with the Racing Post, where he was best known for his Longshot Column, RPTV and as a weekly columnist in the Racing & Football Outlook.
Now a Freelance Broadcaster and Journalist, he is a regular on Sky Sports Racing and Ladbrokes TV, amongst other things.
He will contribute his insight to Freebets.com and, of course, will be the go-to guy for all things Cheltenham Festival-related!
We have an Antepost Armchair article from Ed every Tuesday looking at the bigger picture and long-term plans for many horses. He also brings us his Weekend Watch on Friday, looking at the feast of action taking place over the weekend.
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