Not much of interest in tomorrow’s racing. At Folkestone in the 1.30 Ballyclough is my selection. He won a bumper at Haydock on good ground last season.
In the 2.00 Bear’s Affair continues his education over fences. Barring accidents he should account for his two rivals.
From the archives
The big race on Saturday is up at Haydock where they stage the Betfair Chase which is registered as the Lancashire Chase. It is a comparatively new event first run in 2005.
A race called the Lancashire Chase has a long history however. It was run over distances between 3 miles-2 furlongs to 3 miles-6 furlongs at New Barns, Manchester to 1901 and at Castle Irwell, Manchester between 1902 and 1963.
The first post war winner was Fortina following up his win in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fred Rimell’s Coloured School Boy won in 1949 and 1950.
Tudor Line was runner up in Grand Nationals either side of his success in the Lancashire Chase in 1955.
ESB, famous for winning the “Devon Loch Grand National” won the Lancashire Chase in 1959 while the last winner of the race prior to the closure of Manchester racecourse was Rough Tweed trained by Neville Crump and ridden by Gerry Scott.
ahorse 