The Tote have forecast a massive £400,000 Scoop6 jackpot this Saturday. With the Cheltenham festival almost upon us, the quality of the racing this weekend is not the greatest and winners may be difficult to find.
This Saturday’s Scoop 6 covers action from Doncaster, Lingfield and Newbury and syndicates are bound to busy burning the midnight oil to find the winning combination. Five of the races are live on Channel 4 and here is our guide to this week’s Scoop6.
Totesport Scoop6
Leg 1: 1:45 Newbury
A tough introduction with a sixteen-runner handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. Very few of these are at the top of their game at present but Bothy has run some fine races around here in his time. Brian Ellison’s nine-year-old has Jamie Moore in the saddle and could go close while Winning Spark should be in the money after a couple of decent runs for Jackie Du Plessis.
Bothy
Winning Spark
Leg 2: 2:15 Newbury
Things do not get any easier in the next with thirteen veteran chasers lining up over three and a quarter miles. Several of these are familiar stayers that have seen better days including West End Rocker, a one-time Grand National fancy for Alan King. Soll looks to have a major chance for David Pipe after winning at Exeter last time while Ballyoliver is likely to plug on up the home straight.
Soll
Ballyoliver
Leg 3: 2:50 Newbury
Yet another Newbury handicap makes up leg three with nine lining up over two miles. First Mohican has been disappointing over hurdles so far but this looks a good opportunity for the formerly useful flat performer. Kiama Bay has been keeping better company and also has claims in a modest contest.
First Mohican
Kiama Bay
Leg 4: 2:55 Lingfield
The action switches to the all-weather at Lingfield and the one-mile Ladbrokes Handicap. Holiday Magic is sure to be popular after finishing a slightly unlucky fifth behind Baddilini in a much stronger heat last weekend. Halation could be sharper for his recent run here and David Simcock’s runners are always noting at this venue.
Holiday Magic
Halation
Leg 5: 3:25 Newbury
Back to Newbury for another very tricky race, the two and half-mile Greatwood Gold Cup. Sound Investment is not out of it despite shouldering top weight while the danger could come from the opposite end of the handicap in Saint Raph.
Sound Investment
Saint Raph
Leg 6: 3:45 Doncaster
If we are still standing by this stage it will be a minor miracle but the final leg is no easier than the previous five. The Grimthorpe Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles has attracted twelve runners. Aachen only won a veterans race last time but this does not look that much better while Theatre Queen won’t mind the ground, providing she agrees to start!
Aachen
Theatre Queen
