Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Ayr and Wolverhampton.

Ayr

3:10 – Doyen Breed – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection came in for good market support (11/4 favourite), on his first since joining Sandy Thomson. The 5-year-old ran well to finish 2nd of 11 on his handicap hurdle debut. Nicely clear of the third at the finish. Nudged up 4lb for that effort but showed enough to think he’s on a winnable mark.

Wolverhampton

4:50 – Muftakker – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Got his head in front for the first time at 11^th attempt when winning here over 1m 4f last week. Strong at the finish that day. He stayed 1m 6f on turf so the step up in distance shouldn’t be an issue. He’s returned from 497-day break in great form and can defy a 5lb penalty.

5:50 – Harlow – 100/30 @ Ladbrokes & Bet365 – There was plenty to like about the selections win here 9-days ago. He didn’t get the best of runs when trying to make his effort at the furlong mark but once in the clear he stayed on for a cosy success. Up a furlong in trip here but was strong at the finish last time. The handicapper has raised him 3lb but if the second time cheekpieces continue to have the same effect, he can win again.  

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Just a couple of placed efforts on Saturday. Today’s four selections are from Carlisle and Ffos Las.

Carlisle

2:50 – Sirwilliamwallace – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Sandy Thomson won the big handicap chase at Newcastle yesterday and can have another winner here with the selection. The 7-year-old won over hurdles but is bred to be better over fences. Made a highly encouraging start over larger obstacles when 5^th to the useful Shan Blue in a Wetherby novice chase. Can improve for the step up to 3m on his handicap chase debut and soft ground is fine.

Ffos Las

1:12 – Numitor – 7/2 – Gen – The lightly raced 6-year-old was a promising 3^rd of 12 at Hereford on his handicap hurdle debut 19-days ago. First start over fences today but has the size to win races in the sphere. Really soft ground is a bit of an unknown but looks a on workable mark if handling it.

1:42 – Rufio – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Just the four starts over hurdles the 6-year-old has shaped well enough on both starts this season, including when 2^nd of 6 on his handicap debut at Lingfield (2m) 19-days ago. Ran like a step up in distance could unlock a bit of improvement and this is a slight drop-in class for the top-weight. Trainer Harry Fry is among the winners in  the past 14-days and is 7-28 25% +3.57 with his runners here in the past 5-years.

3:13 – Arqalina – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Two from two here at Ffos Las. The mare won a 2m 5f handicap chase here 12 months ago. Up to 3m today but won at the distance over hurdles so should stay. Ran well for a long way at Uttoxeter 30-days ago and shouldn’t be far away if building on that performance.  

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The winning thread regained courtesy of Barton Knoll’s win at Doncaster. I’m staying at the South Yorkshire venue for two of today’s three selections.

Doncaster

12:05 – Furius De Ciergues – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – The selection has just the four starts over fences. Finished a promising 3^rd of 12 here in February. Has run well on both starts this season and shaped at Newcastle last time like he would be suited by a return to 3m 2f. Races in the first time cheekpieces for a yard among the winners.

3:28 – Anditsnonaynever – 4/1 @ Coral – Since the start of 2016 trainer Hughie Morrison has had 8 winners from 31 runners 26% +23 15 placed 48% in NHF races. He saddles Anditsnonaynever. The son of No Nay Never has nice pedigree and it will be interesting to see what the pre race market makes of his chance.

Wolverhampton

5:00 – Oceanline – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Has shaped with promise on both starts in maiden/novice company. Didn’t get the best of runs when 4^th of 12 here over 7f, 15-days ago. On pedigree looks the sort who can improve for the step up to an extended mile on his nursery debut.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Need to gain the winning thread today and I have selections from Doncaster & Dundalk.

Doncaster

1:25 – Barton Knoll – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Just the four starts since his last win at Haydock in May 2019 off 4lb lower. Ran well for a long way on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury 22-days ago. If he can build on that performance this previous C&D winner won’t be far away here. All three career wins on good ground and at around 2m 3f.

Dundalk

4:00 – Woodrow – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection looks a steady improver who’s run well on his last two starts at Dundalk putting in a career best on his handicap debut here over 6f 18-days ago. Showed plenty of pace that day and looks like the drop to 5f could suit.

7:00 – Mrs Bouquet – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Got off the mark in some style when winning over C&D 18-days ago.  That was just her fourth start since joining her present trainer from the Mark Johnson yard. A rise of 4lb looks fair. Got a strong pace to chase last time and if she gets it again, can follow up here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Taunton, Lingfield and Thurles.

Taunton

3:41 – Espressino – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Jumped better than he had in the past when making all to win over C&D last month. That was the 6-year-old’s first win over hurdles at the ninth attempt. He’s been raised just 4lb for that success so the handicapper has given him a chance of follow up win. Best form on good or quicker so today’s slightly easier surface asks a new question.

Lingfield

12:33 – Miss Molinari – 4/1 @ Bet365 – First start since winning over C&D (heavy) in January. The lightly raised 6-year-old clearly goes well in the mud and is well suited to a stamina test. Just the five starts under rules so there’s hope she can progress further. Big chance if ready to roll first time.

Thurles

2:55 – Molly Kaye – 7/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Got off the mark over hurdles at the seventh attempt when winning a C&D handicap last month. Has since run well on the flat and although she’s 6lb higher than for her last win she’s in form and is expected to go close again.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Dundalk

3:45 – Ecliptic Moon – 10/1 @ Bet365 – Caused a major surprise when winning over C&D at 40/1 three weeks ago. That was very much an improved performance on what the 3-year-old had showed on his previous four starts. Up 5lb for that success. Can he back it up here?  He certainly looked capable of it last time.

4:15- Irish Ambassador – 11/2 @ Ladbrokes & Paddy Power – Had been knocking on the door in C&D handicaps. Sent off the 9/4 favourite in the first time cheekpieces 7-days ago. The headgear didn’t have the desired effect and he finished a disappointing 7^th. Headgear dispensed with and is worth another go form a handy low draw.

4:45 – Philly’s Hope – 9/1 @ Bet365 – Remains an 18-race maiden on both the AW and turf but put in a really good effort when 4^th of 13 over C&D last week. A reproduction of that performance would put the filly bang there.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Thankfully Ms Thompson ended the losing run at Dundalk yesterday. Today’s two selections are from Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton

7:00 – Café Sydney – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Twice a winner on turf the selection is 0-7 on the AW but has placed here three times. Last time out she was doing her best work at the finish when a close-up third over C&D 22-days ago.

8:00 – Passional – 7/2 @ Bet365 – The filly ran with promise when 3^rd off 11 at Chelmsford (6f) 5-days ago. That was her first start since joining the Stuart Williams yard. Drop back to the minimum trip could suit the 3-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Going through a bit of a sticky patch and could do with regaining the winning thread . Today’s selections are from Dundalk and Musselburgh.

Dundalk

4:30 – Adnap – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was in great form here at the start of the year with form figures 2113. His third placed effort here in March was his best on RPR’s. First start for 255-days and upped in trip to 1m 2 ½ f but can go close if ready to roll.

5:30 – Ms Thompson – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection put in her best effort since her juvenile days when 3^rd of 14 over C&D, 10-days ago. Has a handy low draw and should go close here if building on her promise of last time.

Musselburgh

12:40 – Cremant – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Got his head in front at the 7^th attempt over hurdles when running out a decisive winner at Stratford 15-days ago. Nudged up 5lb for his last success which looks fair. A winning pointer he looks worth another attempt at 2m 4f.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Could do with a winner after two blanks days. Not the most exciting of days quality wise but plenty of potential qualifiers today. Here are my three for Sunday.

Wolverhampton

5:30 – G For Gabrial – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Not the most exciting of profiles 1-16 but he’s been knocking on the door in handicaps this autumn. Best of those runs came over C&D, two starts back, when 3^rd of 9 beaten 1 ½ lengths and would haven been closer but didn’t get the clearest of passages inside the final furlong. Capable of winning of his present mark when all the cards fall right.

Uttoxeter

15:38 – Le Grand Fromage – 9/2 @ Coral & Paddy Power – Has finishedthird on each of his two handicap starts this season at Bangor & Exeter. Just the six starts so the 5-year-old remains open to a bit more improvement and trainer Tom Lacey 2 wins from 4 runners 3 places in the past 7-days.

Exeter

1:33 – From The Heart –9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection has bounced back to form over fences of late winning at Chepstow & Taunton, both wins on a quick surface but today’s softer ground shouldn’t be big issue for the 6-year-old. Up 8lb for his last success but can make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Things didn’t go to plan on Friday. Here’s hoping for better today but it looks competitive  

Today’s selections are from Ascot, Huntingdon, and Wolverhampton.

Ascot

12:55 – Young Bull – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Finished third behind one of today’s rivals Demachine in what looks like it was a good novices’ handicap chase at Uttoxeter. The selection might well have needed the run more than the winner and he’s entitled to get closer on 9lb better terms for a 7 ½ length beating. The step up to 3m should also be in his favour and I think he can win this.

Huntingdon

1:23 – Sizing Cusimano – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes Showed ability in four starts over fences last season and was steadily progressive on RPR’s. Was racing at around 3m last season and returns over 2m 4f here. A mark of 118 looks workable and the first time cheekpieces and the booking of Tom Scudamore for his seasonal return look positives for his chance today.  

Wolverhampton

4:30 – Beau Geste – 13/8 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection is 3-4 here, including C&D. Was doing his best work at the finish when 3^rd of 14 at Kempton (1m) 19-days ago. The 4-year-old could be slightly better over a furlong further but the return to the tapeta is a positive as is the booking of Tom Marquand.

Cheers

John