| What | Grand National Steeplechase Day |
| Where | Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 |
| When | Sunday, August 27, 2023 |
| First Race | 11:55am AEST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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The Ballarat Turf Club is set to host a stacked six-race program on Sunday for Grand National Steeplechase Day, with all six races to be run over the obstacles. Clear skies are forecast, and a perfect Good 4 track should greet us for the conclusion of the jumps season. The rail comes out 5m the entire circuit, while racing kicks off at 11:55am AEST.
Best Bet at Ballarat: Stern Idol
Stern Idol has a chance to improve on his peerless jumps record in Sunday’s Grand National Steeplechase. The six-year-old gelding saluted in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown by 25 lengths, and that was on the back of winning the Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Pakenham by 20 lengths. He will be leading the field throughout the 4500m trip, and if Stern Idol is anywhere near his best, not even the 71kg will slow him down under William McCarthy.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#1 Stern Idol (1)
6yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: William McCarthy (71kg)
$1.45 with PlayUp
Next Best at Ballarat: Bedford
Bedford has found his calling in life as a jumper, and coming off a third in the Grand National Hurdle behind San Remo and Count Zero, we expect the veteran to pick up a third win from four starts. The now 10-year-old would prefer a bit more rain to be around, but with a clean set of heels and a cosy run in transit expected, Bedford can exert his class on this field in the JJ Houlahan Hurdle.
Next Best
Race 4 – 
#2 Bedford (4)
10yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Tom Ryan (69.5kg)
$2.90 with Boombet
Best Value at Ballarat: El Diez
We were with the Eric Musgrove-trained El Diez at Casterton when he was narrowly beaten by Heir To The Throne last time out. He has already placed twice at the Ballarat 3600m and brings a certain element of class to this race. Darryl Horner Jnr will look to lob the son of All Too Hard in a midfield spot with cover, and if he replicates the type of effort that he produced at Casterton, El Diez should prove to be a great value play with online bookmakers.
Best Value
Race 3 – 
#1 El Diez (5)
7yo Gelding | T: Eric Musgrove | J: Darryl Horner Jnr (72.5kg)
$9 with Bet365
Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat races
Ballarat quadrella selections
Sunday, August 27, 2023
- 1-3-4-6
- 2-6
- 1-6
- 1
Investment: $16 for 100%
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