By Carl Harris
After losing Newbury and Ludlow we now lose Chepstow on Friday. The big cards on Saturday at Ascot and Haydock should go ahead as scheduled.
Twist Magic faces seven rivals as he bids for back-to-back Grade One successes in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday, a top class race that I am very much looking forward to.
Diamond Harry will make his chasing debut on Saturday, already quoted at 10-1 for Cheltenham glory before he has ever jumped a fence in public, surely we cannot be robbed once again of a top class Saturday.
Friday is pretty moderate, Catterick over jumps and all-weather action at Lingfield and Wolverhampton. As I have said before I am focusing on the jumps, so not a great deal to go at today. Certainly if you look at the first race at Catterick it is enough to put you off jumps racing for life.
Diamond Harry debuts over fences on Saturday
Here are my best bets of the day on Friday;
1:50 Catterick, Percussionist- Win. Howard Johnson clearly has his horses fit, despite the recent cold spell, as we saw at Newcastle on Wednesday.A top class flat performer he has done well over jumps and is indeed looking for a hat-trick after wins at Hexham at Kelso. I would suggest that he is a good bet to win here for a trainer and jockey who are in good form.
2:55 Catterick, Tilt- Win. Tilt was a very good winner first time out over this course and steps up in trip as he bids to follow-up. On the flat he looked to have had enough but jumping looked to have given him a new lease of life. The step up in trip should suit him and with class to burn he would be my idea of the best bet of the day. I would worry about the Howard Johnson trained Milans Man who won well at Sedgefield but I think Tilt will be too good for these.
Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Friday 22 January
- 1:50 Catterick, Percussionist- Win
- 2:55 Catterick, Tilt- Win
