Tag: Ptit Zig

Horse Racing Preview February 14th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Plenty of top quality horse racing action in the UK this weekend from Haydock and Ascot including several Cheltenham and Aintree contenders.

Ptit Zig has been one of the best novice chasers of the season so far and Paul Nicholls is pitching him in against more experienced rivals in the Betfair Ascot Chase. As we suggested in midweek, 11-4 did not last long but 9-4 still looks a decent price for a horse that has hardly put a foot wrong all season. He has won at Ascot before and there is no reason to desert him at this stage.

The pressure will be on Lizzie Kelly in the opening novice event where she rides impressive Lanzarote Hurdle winner Tea For Two. He won that so easily that his trainer is thinking in terms of taking on the best novices at Cheltenham next month and a victory on Saturday would secure his place. I was disappointed with Arpege D’Alene last time out and expect Miss Kelly to complete the hat-trick.

I’m also keen on the chances of Otago Trail later in the card for Venetia Williams. He destroyed his rivals last time out and is clearly well above average. He could take his chance in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle if he comes through tomorrow’s test with flying colours.

Over at Haydock, I expect to see Top Notch win comfortably in a bitterly disappointing renewal of the Victor Ludorum Hurdle at 1.45. Top Notch races in the same colours as Triumph favourite Peace And Co so it would be no surprise if Nicky Henderson elected to save him for Aintree instead. We put up Benbens earlier in the week at 10-1 and he is still available at 9-1 for the Grand National Trial. I was tempted to support Monbeg Dude but I’m put off by how far he got behind here in 2013. I’m sure he will run a good trial for Aintree nonetheless.

The three-mile hurdle looks wide open but it may be worth taking a chance on Bygones Sovereign at 10-1. He won by 28 lengths at Newbury last time when he stole a march on his rivals. I’d be surprised if the other jockeys allow him so much rope this time but he still races off 10st despite a 13lbs rise in the handicap.

The most popular double of the day has to be Tea For Two and Teaforthree. I was surprised how easily the 2013 National runner-up won over two and a half miles last time and he looked full of himself. I’d expect him to follow up in the last at Haydock.

Tea For Two 1.30 Ascot @4-7 Bet365

Benbens 2.55 Haydock @10-1*

Bygones Sovereign 3.25 Haydock @10-1 Bet365

Ptit Zig 3.50 Ascot @11-4*

Otago Trail 4.20 Ascot @5-4 William Hill

Teaforthree 5.05 Haydock @4-6 Betfair

*Ante-post

Ptit Zig fancied for Betfair Ascot Chase

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

One of the most exciting prospects for the Cheltenham festival in March is the Paul Nicholls-trained Ptit Zig who is unbeaten in four starts over fences. He is set to line up in Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase after stable companion Al Ferof was ruled out through injury.

The sponsors put up Balder Succes as the 9-4 favourite on Tuesday with Ptit Zig at 11-4 but I don’t think that price will last long. Ptit Zig was long odds-on at Exeter and Warwick in November and won both races without any fuss. He was then upped in class to a Grade 2 at Ascot and dished out a nine-lengths beating to the odds-on Josses Hill.

The runner-up was surprisingly beaten last week in his Cheltenham prep but remains a serious chasing prospect. It was the superior speed on the flat which was particularly impressive about the winner, quickening clear after the last. Traffic Flude finished almost 30 lengths behind Ptit Zig but won readily at Plumpton on Monday.

Nicholls sent the son of Great Pretender to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and he put Champagne West by six lengths. As at Ascot, Ptit Zig showed a good turn of foot from the last and his most likely target is the JLT Novices’ Chase at the festival.

Alan King’s Balder Succes was thought to be a likely contender for the Champion Chase at the start of the season but he suffered defeats on his first three starts. He was slightly disappointing when only fourth to Dodging Bullets in the Tingle Creek Chase in December. He was then beaten by Special Tiara at Kempton but bounced back to win on the same course in January.

Champagne Fever was a high class hurdler but has proved a little erratic over fences. He came close to winning the Arkle last season when just beaten on the nod by Western Warhorse. His only victory since was at Clonmel in November. He did not seem to get home when fourth to Silviniaco Conti at Kempton in the King George VI Chase and fell at Thurles last time. He looked beaten at the time with Don Cossack going on to win well.

Ma Filleule looked a very exciting prospect when winning at Aintree in April and shaped well when only a length and a half behind Sam Winner at the same course in December. The grey still holds a Gold Cup entry and may find one or two of these too quick here.

Ptit Zig 3.50 Ascot @11-4 Betfair