Brighton in August? Sure, Why the Hell Not

Now look, I know what you're thinking. Brighton in late August, National Hunt racing — it's not exactly Cheltenham in March, is it? But here's the thing: Brighton throws up a cracking Saturday jumps card, and with the ground sitting at Good to Soft, Good in places — and the forecast threatening to ease it further before the afternoon is out — we've got conditions that will absolutely sort the stamina merchants from the flatterers. That suits me down to the ground. Literally.

Six races, a handful of proper trainers, and a feature worth over twenty grand. Get the pint in and let's get stuck into the Brighton racecard for Saturday 29th August. I've had a good long look, and I'll tell you now, there's money to be made if you know where to look.

Going Conditions: The Great Leveller

Good to Soft with patches of Good and the rain possibly coming? That's a going description that should have every punter reaching for their stamina pedigree bible before they touch the form book. Brighton's undulating track already puts a premium on jumping fluency and fitness — add cut in the ground and you've got a proper test. Anything that wants a flat, quick surface is going to find life very hard indeed this afternoon.

The horses carrying the [C,D] tags — course and distance winners — deserve serious respect in these conditions. They've already shown they handle the track and the trip, and on easing ground that local knowledge becomes even more valuable. Keep that in mind as we work through the card.

The Feature Race: Molson Coors Cartmel Cup Handicap Hurdle (15:53, Class 3, £21,100)

Right, here's where the serious money is. Fourteen runners, a Class 3 prize pot of over twenty-one grand, and a field that reads like a who's who of competitive handicap hurdlers. This is the race of the day, no question.

Edelak (Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton) is the one they'll all be chasing off a mark of 124. A four-year-old taking on older horses in a handicap of this quality is no small ask, but the Skelton operation doesn't send horses on a jolly — if Harry's in the saddle, they mean business. That said, four-year-olds on softening ground over two miles at Brighton in August? I'd want to see it before I'd be throwing the house at it.

My eye is drawn to My Chiquita (Leah Noreci, James Moffatt) at a mark of 124. She carries the [C,D] badge — a course and distance winner — and Moffatt has runners all over this card today, which tells you he's in form and he's loaded the horsebox with intent. On ground that's going to test every stride, a mare who's already won at this track over this trip is an enormous asset. She's the one I want on my side.

Zillow (Harry Cobden, Faye Bramley) heads the market on a rating of 126 and Cobden is always a man worth following, but he has no course or distance form to speak of here. Saligo Bay (Jonathan England, Sam England) also catches the eye — rated 121 and carrying the [C,D] tag, this is a horse that knows its way around Brighton and the Sam England yard has been quietly progressive all season. Don't sleep on him at a potentially generous price.

Key Runners to Watch Across the Card

14:05 — Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

The opener is a fascinating little puzzle. Zamond (10yo, rated 100, Donald McCain) is the top-rated runner and carries the [C,D] badge — at ten years old he's seen it all, done it all, and clearly loves this place. Mr Harry Brown takes the ride, and while conditionals can be a lottery, Brown has been making real strides this season. The concern is the weight of years on old Zamond's legs on softening ground, but course form is course form.

Mr Lincoln (6yo, rated 95, Iain Jardine) is the second highest-rated and represents solid northern form. Charlie Maggs is a capable conditional who won't panic, and a horse rated 95 in a Class 5 has every right to dominate if reproducing his best. Jack Power on Masekela (7yo, rated 92, James Moffatt) is another worth noting — Moffatt again, and Power is a rider who's been improving with every ride out.

Further down the weights, keep an eye on Alvesta (5yo, rated 84, James Moffatt) ridden by Leah Noreci. Another [C,D] qualifier from the Moffatt yard — there's a theme developing here — and at five years old there's every chance she's still improving. Toby McCain-Mitchell on Lord of The Glance (7yo, rated 88, Alex Hales) is a name to note too — the McCain connection runs deep in this family and Toby is one to follow as his career develops.

14:40 — Novices' Hurdle

Gambino (Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, rated 119) is streets ahead on ratings in this novices' hurdle and looks an odds-on banker in the making. The Skeltons don't mess about in these races. The only danger is if the ground gets really testing and something unexposed catches them cold — Whermyrosemarygoes (Harry Cobden, Faye Bramley) is unrated and therefore completely unknown, which always makes me a tiny bit nervous about laying the jolly. Still, Gambino should do the job.

15:15 — Hadwins Handicap Hurdle (3m 1f)

The staying hurdle is where the going conditions really bite. Over three miles and a furlong on softening ground, you want a stayer with a big engine and a clean jumper. Stiletto (Roisin Leech, Sophie Leech, rated 100) heads the ratings and it's a lovely story — mother training, daughter riding. Joe Anderson on Mi Sueno is one to note in the opener context, but here it's the Moffatt quartet — Secret Secret [C], Dusky Days [C], and Masterminding — that intrigue me. Another Pearl (Sean Bowen, Mickey Bowen, rated 76) is the interesting runner at the foot of the weights. Sean Bowen on a horse from his father's yard, fresh legs, and a long trip on soft ground? That's a combination I've seen spring a surprise before.

16:25 — BTRC Handicap Chase

Five runners, two yards, and a proper little match race developing. Palamon (Harry Skelton, Dan Skelton, rated 117) versus Kientzheim (Harry Cobden, Ben Haslam, rated 117) is the headline battle, but Passing Diamond (Richie McLernon, Ben Haslam, rated 115) carries the [C,D] flag and could be the value play if the market gets carried away with the big two. Lermoos Legend (Sean Bowen, Mickey Bowen) at 11 years old also knows his way around — another [C,D] veteran who refuses to read the script.

Best Bets & Ones to Watch

  • BEST BET: My Chiquita (15:53) — Course and distance winner, Moffatt in flying form, softening ground plays to her strengths. This is the one.
  • EACH-WAY PLAY: Saligo Bay (15:53) — Another [C,D] runner in the feature at a likely bigger price. Each-way at least.
  • BANKER: Gambino (14:40) — Rated 119 in a novices' hurdle. Should be doing handstands. Back him and move on.
  • WATCH: Alvesta (14:05) — Five-year-old [C,D] for Moffatt. If she's fit and forward, she could outrun her odds.
  • SENTIMENTAL PICK: Another Pearl (15:15) — Father-son combination, big trip, soft ground. Could easily nick a place at least.

That's your lot from me. Six races of proper jump racing at Brighton, ground that'll find out the pretenders, and a feature race with a few live chances. Get your bets on sensibly, enjoy the racing, and I'll see you on the other side. Good luck — you'll need a bit of it, same as the rest of us.