TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

14:40 Wetherby – Charlie Hall Chase

The Charlie Hall Meeting is the highlight of the Wetherby racing calendar and the first Saturday each November sees the feature race of the meeting – The Charlie Hall Chase. The race takes in eighteen fences over a three-mile trip and previous winners include the likes of Silviniaco Conti and Cue Card. In winning last year, Bristol De Mai led home a stable one-two and gave trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies his fifth victory in the race, although the forecast good ground has put pay to his follow-up attempt. Ground conditions have also meant that we won’t get to see Thistlecrack’s eagerly-awaited comeback following injury, but nevertheless there are still some top-class performers who will be taking their place.

The market leader is now Black Corton who has built up a fantastic relationship with Bryony Frost, teaming up to win seven from ten. The ground won’t be of any concern, he boasts an excellent record when fresh and has won four from five over similar trips so despite the odds looking on the skinny side he looks to be the class act in the race and as such must be in with a fantastic chance of winning here today.

Dan Skelton has started the season in fine form and boasts an excellent record with his chasers at the course so Virgilio shouldn’t be underestimated despite this being a step up in grade. A winner of his last two, both on good ground over similar distances to what he encounters here, he arrives with plenty in his favour and looks to be the main danger if continuing to progress.

Double Shuffle isn’t a prolific winner but does have a win and two second-placed efforts from three runs over todays’ trip and is proven on good ground. He wasn’t seen to best effect in the spring but is better judged on three placed efforts last winter and a length defeat by Might Bite in the King George last season shows he has the ability to get involved if arriving on a good day.

Definitly Red has a good record on return from a break and has made the frame in all three prior visits to Wetherby but would much prefer soft or even heavy ground so is unlikely to be seen to best effect today – a comment which also applies to Regal Encore.

Black Corton (WIN) – NAP

ITV RACES:

Wetherby

14:05 – Lady Buttons (WIN)

15:15 – Monbeg Theatre (WIN)

Ascot

13:50 – Sternrubin (WIN)

14:25 – Champagne At Tara (WIN)

15:00 – Magic Dancer (WIN)

15:35 – Go Conquer (WIN)