Ditcheat double? Big support for Paul Nicholls' two Grade 2 hopefuls

Punters are backing Paul Nicholls to have another big Saturday, with two of his leading Grade 2 chances at Kempton subject to plenty of support in the betting this morning.

Hat-trick seeking Atholl Street has been cut to 7-4 (from 2-1) in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (3.00). The six-year-old is up in class following comfortable wins at Taunton.

Meanwhile, another favourite, Tamaroc Du Mathan, is also shortening for the Close Brothers Pendil Novices' Chase (1.50), with the Nicholls-trained runner now 10-11 (from 11-10).

Second to Shishkin last time, Tamaroc Du Mathan is looking to emulate the likes of Cyrname and Frodon who were victorious in this race for the trainer.

Nicholls also has particularly good chances with Ecco (1.15), Paso Doble (2.25) and My Way (4.10), while he is responsible for Black Corton and Southfield Stone in the 3.35.

Tamaroc Du Mathan: attracting plenty of support this morningCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

In Kempton's big betting race, the Close Brothers Handicap Chase (3.35), Cap Du Nord is a notable drifter with the eight-year-old out to 7-1 (from 6s). He now shares favouritism with Al Dancer while Aso is the only non-runner in the race.

Jonjo O'Neill and Jonjo O'Neill Jr. teamed up to win the Betfair Hurdle last Sunday and their representative in the big handicap, Young Wolf, has been well backed. He is 14-1 (from 22s).

The ground at Kempton is currently good, good to soft in places with a sunny day in the forecast in Surrey.

Barney Clifford, clerk of the course at Kempton, said: "We got down to -1C overnight and we had a healthy grass frost last night. It's walking a bit dead, which frost generally does, and it's currently good, good to soft in places. It might dry a bit in the day but that's where we are at the moment.

"The easier ground is around the lake bend, which was under water a week ago but has dried significantly. From the two-and-a-half mile chase start to the winning post it's good ground. It looks like it'll be a nice day with beautiful sunshine and up to around 12 to 13C."

At Newcastle, Salty Boy still tops the betting for the featuring Vertem Eider (3.15) although there has been support the in-form Crossley Tender with Paul Henderson's runner now 5-1 (from 7s). The ground is soft, good to soft in places for the big handicap.

James Armstrong, clerk of the course at Newcastle, said: "The ground's drying. Three weeks ago you'd have given this meeting probably no hope given the amount of rain, snow and frost we've been getting.

"We've had ten drying days and the only rain we had was on Monday, when we had 4mm, but that's kept it ticking over.

"I'm calling it soft, good to soft in places. It's drying on top but our ground is quite holding and I think it'll be tiring enough, especially over four miles and one and a half furlongs."

The first Flat Group race of 2021 in Britain is run at Lingfield this afternoon, with five runners set for the Betway Winter Derby Stakes (2.40). The Roger Varian-trained Father Of Jazz heads the betting at 6-4.

In Ireland, Acapella Bourgeois has been favoured over his stablemate Burrows Saint at the head of the market for the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase (2.52). Danny Mullins' mount is a 11-8 chance, with Burrows Saint available at 7-4.

Saturday's key action

Kempton (first race: 1.15)
Going: good, good to soft in places

Non-runners
1.15: 9 Debestyman
3.35: 3 Aso
4.45: 8 Wild Wilbur

Newcastle (1.35)
Going: soft, good to soft in places

Non-runners
1.35: 6 Shaka The King
3.50: 1 Forest Bihan
4.25: 8 Pougne Bobbi
5.00: 9 Click And Collect

Lingfield (11.45)
Going: standard

Non-runners
3.10: 1 Cardano

Fairyhouse (1.10)
Going: soft to heavy

Non-runners
2.17: 18 Take Centre Stage
3.25: 4 Cushinstown Finest
4.00: 7 Foxy Jacks

If you want more insight on Saturday's racing . . .

Members' Club: staying brigade all set to go the distance at Newcastle, Fairyhouse and Kempton

Members' Club: is there another Zarkandar hiding in the long grass? We assess the Kempton card

The Saturday Jury: 'I think he's got a brilliant chance' – our panellists preview the weekend (Members' Club)

2.25 Kempton: another juvenile star for King? Triumph clues on show with Tritonic in Adonis

3.00 Kempton: stamina in pedigree but speed on track: Atholl Street looks ideal for Dovecote

3.15 Newcastle: 'He's in the form of his life' – Crosspark bidding for rare Eider Chase repeat

3.15 Newcastle: look past Eider mythology to find this year's big-race winner (Members' Club)

3.35 Kempton: does it pay to stick with the stayers or is speed the key to the Close Brothers?

Lingfield: Hollie Doyle out to land Winter Derby after coming out of self-isolation

Fairyhouse: Burrows Saint returns to scene of biggest win as Grand National prep steps up

ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each of the seven races on ITV4 on Saturday

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