Dave Massey will be racing this weekend, and has cast his eye over the best Saturday Tips from Wetherby and Ascot. Read his exclusive tips each and every Saturday with kwiff.
Charlie Hall Chase Day 2025: Huge Saturday Tips
No sooner had Take No Chances finished sixth in the Tote Silver Trophy at Chepstow three weeks ago I announced to my wife, who had been with me for the weekend, that she would be winning at Wetherby next month. Well, here we are, and I can hardly go back on my word now, can I?
Saturday Tips: Take No Chances (Wetherby, 2:22)
Pre-race I thought she’d come on a bit for the run; she certainly wasn’t unfit, but neither was she razor-sharp, as Dan Skelton’s often are when they’re ready to win. A staying-on sixth under 7lb claimer Harry Atkins what just what I wanted to see, it should tee her up nicely for this and for all most of her form is at shorter, she gets three miles and shouldn’t have any problem with it under today’s conditions.
Strong Leader is going to be a hard one to beat if he’s ready to rock, but you should never be scared of taking on one horse, and whilst Strong Leader will undoubtedly have bigger targets as the season goes on, this does have the look of an early-season target for Take No Chances, and she can come out on top.
Saturday Tips: Gabriel’s Causeway (Ascot, 2.05)
It’s not an easy task for Gabriel’s Getaway on the face of it as he’s 7lb out of the handicap here, but then again he was also 7lb out of the handicap when beating the useful Calico at Doncaster last year, so he does have form for running well in the face of stiff tasks, and I think that might be the case again today. Generally pretty consistent throughout most of the 2024 season, his only poor effort coming on his final start at Punchestown, he returned with a perfectly good start to the season when second to the much-improved Bad at Kempton.
He travelled very nicely into the contest and stuck to the task without ever threatening the winner, but it looked very much a run to tee him up for something – also his first start after wind surgery – and with the ground likely to be on the faster side of good at Ascot, that’s definitely going to suit him. If he can tidy up his jumping a bit, which isn’t always foot-perfect, then he can nick a place at a big price for us here.
Saturday Tips: Maasi Mara (Ascot, 3.10)
It is not unfair to say that Maasai Mara has his share of temperament but like so many horses of that nature, has plenty of talent too, when he cares to show it, and the early quotes of 33-1 about him look worth chancing today. He looked something of a natural at the hurdling game as a juvenile, a smooth success at Catterick looking as if it would pave the way for further glory but he’s since developed a bit of a nasty habit of blowing it at the start, slowly away a couple of times on the Flat and although it wasn’t totally his fault when he refused at Sandown.
He was facing the wrong way as the tape went up however, it nevertheless showed he has it in him even when the stalls are taken away. All the same, a third to the classy Nemean Lion first time up at Hereford last year reads well enough, and perhaps fresh might be the time to catch him. Rated in the 80s on the Flat for the Gosdens back in the day, he’s got his conditions here and the faster they go, and the longer he can stay on the bridle, the better his chances late.
By Dave Massey
Please note that the information provided in this Friday Racing Tips article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Supercharge your bets with kwiff
