Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Need to get off the cold list and it would be nice to go out with a winner or two today, as I am having a day off on tomorrow. Four selections on Monday from Kempton and Dundalk.

Kempton

2:48 – Younevercall – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection returns from 506-day layoff in this Pertemps Series Qualifier.  The 9-year-old won this race in 2016 and 2018 and ended that latter season winning a Grade 2 Hurdle at Sandown in April. He’s gone very well on a sound surface in the past – 5 wins from 7 runs +17.50 7 placed on good ground – and has won off a long absence in the past.

Dundalk

2:35 – Spelga – 5/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Won three times over C&D in a very productive November last year. Now 8lb higher than for his last win but he shaped like he was still on a competitive mark when beaten just a short head here three starts back. Not disgraced when 4^th of 12 in better race over C&D 10-days ago and can go close again.

3:05 – Punters Poet – 4/1 @ Bet365 – A lightly raced maiden looked to find 1m 2f to short here 5-days ago. On pedigree he looks worth a go at 2m. If he produces his last performance today, can win a handicap off his present mark.

4:10 – Pillar – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Twice a winner here. The last of those wins came over C&D two starts back. Found things happening a bit to quick when 3^rd of 12 back to 5f here 10-days ago. Gavin Ryan takes off a handy 5lb which means the selection races off his last winning mark.

Back on Wednesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

No joy on Saturday with just a couple of placed efforts. Today’s selections are from Ffos Las and Sandown.

Ffos Las

3:25 – Shantou View – 100/30 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Won twice last year in novice company at Southwell, both on heavy ground. Returned to action with a solid 2^nd of 11 at Wetherby on his handicap hurdle debut 25-days ago. That was the 5-year-old’s first start at 3m and showed that he stayed and improved for the step up in distance. Remains progressive and can win this.

3:55 – Mouseinthehouse – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Made it 2-3 over C&D when making a winning seasonal reappearance last month. Both wins have come on heavy so the deeper the ground the better.  Up 5lb but he’s going the right way and Robbie Power is a positive jockey booking.

Sandown

3:00 – Le Cameleon – 13/2 @ Bet365 – Improved with each of his five starts last season winning twice at Chepstow and Stratford. The latter of those wins came on his final start of last season in March.  Nudged up just 3lb for that success which isn’t harsh. The 5-year-old can surely find a winning another opportunity off his revised mark sometime this season and it could be today, if he’s ready to roll first time up.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Three selections today from Doncaster, Aintree and Naas.

Doncaster

1:30 – Ostilio – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – Comes into the race in great form having made all to win his last two starts, including a Listed race at Redcar last month. First run since switching from Simon Crisford to Paul Midgely for 90,000 Gns at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Autumn sales. The 6-year-old will be having his first start over 6f, but given his present form and the soft ground forecast he can go well.

Aintree

3:20 – Defi Sacre – 11/4 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – comes into the race bidding for a four timer after three wins last season at around 2m. Last of those wins came at Newbury in December off 5lb lower and the runner-up has won both starts this season.  Looks a progressive handicap chaser who goes well on soft ground and mark of 128 should be manageable this season. The 7-year-old can go close if ready to roll first time. Trainer Richard Hobson can prepare one after a layoff.

Naas

12:50 – Wood Ranger – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Shaped with promise on his three starts in maiden company but left that form well behind when winning a C&D nursery 20-days ago. Up 12lb for that success so needs to take another step forward here but goes well in the conditions and his stamina will come into play especially if they go a good gallop.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Friday’s three selections are from the Curragh and Dundalk.

Curragh

3:40 – Ecoeye – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Comes into the race fresher than most having had just two start this season winning at Roscommon on his seasonal return in August. Before running equally as well when 2^nd of 14 at Listowel 43-days ago. Nudged up 2lb but likes the mud and can go close again.

4:10 – Drumquina – 13/2 @ Bet365 – Sole win came over 6f at Naas (good) last summer but she’s run some good races since. Most notably when putting up a career best on RPR’s when 2^nd of 18 here over 7f back in August. Ran well on her seasonal reappearance to suggest the 70-day absence need be a problem. Gets the first time cheekpieces for the drop back to 6f and showed last time that heavy ground isn’t an issue.

Dundalk

8:15 – Time And Money – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection has been knocking on the door on his last two starts over C&D. The 3-year-old put in a career best 14-days ago. The cheekpieces are replaced with first time visor and if the change of headgear has the desired effect he won’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Just the one winner on Wednesday but the other two selections ran well and I thought Beyond Equal was unlucky to get caught in the final strides at Kempton.

Today’s selections are from Thurles, Kempton

Thurles

12:47 – Dollar Value – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Won a Downpatrick beginners’’ chase on his chasing debut and has since finished an excellent 3^rd of 13 at Galway, the second has since gone onto win at Down Royal so the form looks solid. Latest run on heavy on the flat can be forgiven and he looks on a decent handicap chase mark off just 2lb higher.

Kempton

4:25 – Marta Boy – 100/30 @ Bet365 – Down the field at big prices on his first three starts over 7f but well backed (9/2) on his nursery debut over C&D 15-days ago. Shaped last time like a stronger gallop would suit but he’s got scope for improvement on just second start on the synthetics.

8:00 – Figeac – 5/1 – Gen – The 6-year-old has returned from a 2-year absence with a couple of promising runs at Lingfield and Wolverhampton. He should be suited by the return to 2m and looks on a competitive mark with Ray Dawson taking off a handy 3lb.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Lingfield, Nottingham & Kempton.

Lingfield

3:00 – HMS President – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Brings strong form from competitive handicaps into the race. However, he’s disappointed on his last two starts, was sent off the 6/5 favourite at Beverley for a handicap won by the IIaraab, not suited by the slow early gallop, and struggled over a mile at Pontefract last time. Needs to settle better in his races but can be competitive of this mark if he does.

Nottingham

2:10 – Gordonstoun – 3/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Made it 2-2 on going with soft in the going description when winning over C&D three weeks ago.  Up 4lb in a deeper race but he’s going the right way and should go close.

Kempton

6:20 – Silent Echo – 4/1 – Last run at Goodwood can be forgiven, as the 5-year-old didn’t like the heavy ground. He’s better judged on his close 3^rd of 11 at Haydock two starts back. Was a close 2^nd over C&D last October and is now 4lb lower. Not the most consistent of horses but has a handy low draw and Silvestre De Sousa is up for the first time.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was good to get back among the winners after a couple of disappointing days.

Plumpton

3:05 – Meteorite – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Trainer Tom Symonds had a winner at Huntingdon yesterday and I think he can have another win here with the selection. Meteorite broke his maiden tag over hurdles at the eighth attempt when winning at Sedgefield (soft).  Up 8lb for that success he looks capable of a bit more progress and if ready to roll first time can go close here.

Hereford

2:45 – Eclair Surf – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Made a winning debut over hurdles at Exeter (soft) last November. Looked laboured on his next starts. Risks attached on his return to action for the first time since March but he’s former point winner and looks capable of making his mark over fences. Chase/handicap debut here and trainer Emma Lavelle opts for the first-time hood – 4 winners from 11 runners 36% +31.5 with her runners in the first-time headgear since 2018.

Wolverhampton

5:50 – Production – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner over 1m 2f last summer has yet to win on seven starts since joining the Ed Walker yard. However, he shaped well on both his last two start when dropped to 6f. A close-up second at Kempton and third at Pontefract 46-days ago. Didn’t get the best of runs a furlong out at Pontefract.  Looks on a winnable mark for trainer who’s 8-30 +56.88 with his runners in the past 14-days.

I’m off tomorrow, back on Wednesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Naas

2:00 – With Thanks – 100/30 @ Bet365 – A rare runner at Naas for William Haggas. The filly relishes the mud having won twice on heavy this season. Just the four career starts, she seems progressive and last time posted a career best to when runner-up in a Listed race at Goodwood.

2:55 – Dorette – 13/2 @ Paddy Power – Was in the process of putting up a career best effort and was set to win when falling at the last Uttoxeter 37-days ago. The handicapper thinks she would have won as he’s raised her 6lb. If none the worse for that she can compensation here provided the going is good.

Carlisle

3:45 – Sorjourn – 100/30 – Has made a winning seasonal reappearance for the last two years including a decisive win on his chase debut at Market Rasen 12 months ago. He improved on that effort when runner-up at Chepstow month later.  Nudged up 2lb but the 7-year-old is at his best on soft and heavy and is one to be with for an inform yard.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Ascot

1:55 – Capeland – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Won a handicap chase over C&D last November. Was unlucky in this race 12 months when taken out at the last by stablemate and eventual winner Diego Du Charmil. He’s now 7lb higher than for that C&D win but remains the one to beat.

Down Royal

2:25 – Chris’s Dream – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Although well beaten in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he’s a much better horse off a break Three miles on rain softened ground looks his optimum conditions and the 8-year-old has won three times going right-handed. Has 6lb to find with Delta Work but can take advantage if the top-rated needs the run.

Ayr

3:27 – Faire Part Sivola – 11/1 @ Bet365 – Looks interesting on his first start for Lucinda Russell. The selection won a heavy ground novice hurdle at Leicester on his seasonal return last December and bettered that performance when beaten a head at Wincanton (soft) under a penalty a month later. Looks on a winnable mark and get’s the first time cheekpieces today.

Newmarket

1:30 – Galactic Glow – 7/2 @ Paddy Power – Has improved with each of three starts for new trainer David Menuisier and put in career best effort when 2^nd of 9 at Yarmouth 19-days ago. Heavy ground is an unknown but he seemed to handle soft at Yarmouth well enough. On a winnable mark and William Buick, 3-10 when combining with the trainer keeps the ride on the 3-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

All three selections ran well yesterday with Sorrel winning at Lingfield the highlight of the day. Some days it’s easy to find two or three selections. Then there are other times when you end up with long list of six or seven and today is one of those days. I have settled on four.

Wetherby

11:55 – Cyrus Keep – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Handles soft ground and shaped at Hexham last month like he would appreciate a step up from 2m for his handicap hurdle debut. A mark of 98 looks workable and trainer Ruth Jefferson is 5-17 + 29.15 with her hurdlers at Wetherby.

Uttoxeter

4:20 – Joly Maker – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Has been in good form this summer winning over the distance at Bangor in August. Not suited by the drop back to 2m when 3^rd of 12 at Ffos Las 29-days ago. Probably doesn’t want deep winter ground but both career wins have come on soft. Should be in the mix again here.

Down Royal

1:15 – Politesse – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Looked smart in bumpers winning a Thurles in February and returned to the venue to make a winning novice hurdle debut a month later. Might prefer further in time and this is a step up in class for the mare on her seasonal reappearance but she’s an exciting prospect and would be half her odds if she was trained by Willie Mullins.

Dundalk

8:00 – Tartlette – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Won a couple of handicaps around here over 1m 2 ½ f last autumn and returned from a short break to finish an encouraging 5^th off 11 over C&D 14-days ago. Was a bit keen in a race where it paid to be ridden handily but still put in some good work on the outside in the straight. Capable of going close with Seamie Hefferman 2-3 on the filly back in the plate.

Cheers

John