Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Chelmsford, Listowel & Ripon.

Chelmsford

6:15 – Red October – 6/1 – Gen – Made it 2-2 at Chelmsford when winning over C&D two starts back. Not so good back at turf at York 20-days ago. Now 4lb higher than for his last C&D success but if he can get to the front dominate can win again for an inform yard.

Ripon

4:35 – Strawberry Rock – 11/4 @ Bet365 – An easy winner of a Beverley maiden on his racecourse debut. The 3-year-old ran with credit when 3^rd of 9 under his penalty at Kempton, had subsequent Melrose winner Coltrane one place behind, 87-days ago. Can improve further and a mark of 80 looks workable for his handicap debut

Listowel

5:00 – Sir Bob – 5/1 @ Bet365 – The selection hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound and is 0-8 over fences but has shaped with promise on couple of occasions over the larger obstacles. Not seen out since finishing a close-up second in a Navan handicap hurdle 252-days ago. The cheekpieces he wore last time are retained and he has the added assistance of Derek O’Connor in the saddle.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It’s a record losing run. In over two years and in two years I haven’t experienced one as longas this. Today’s four selections are from Newmarket and Haydock.

Newmarket

3:35 – Top Rank – 9/2 @ Bet365 – No issues with soft ground for the selection. The improving 4-year-old stayed on to strongly for his six rivals when winning a soft ground Group 3 at Haydock 20-days ago. A winner of a handicap over C&D 12 months ago, so we know he handles the track.  He’s going the right way an deserves to take his chance in a Group 2.

4:10 – Laafy – 3/1 @ Paddy Power – The selection is improving with racing and put in a career best on RPR’s when carrying top-weight of 10-0 to victory in a Class 2 handicap at Ascot three weeks ago. Looks worth the step into pattern class and is suited by ease in the ground.

Haydock

4:35 – Midnight’s Legacy – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Had looked a middle-distance handicapper worth following when winning twice here early in the season. Never got involved when only 9^th of 14 in the Melrose Handicap at York last month.  Should be suited by 1m 6f and takes a drop-in class here. If you put a line through his York run, he would have a good chance, off just 2lb higher than his last win.

5:05 – Orin Swift – 14/1 @ Bet365 – Bounced back from a very poor seasonal reappearance at Kempton with a much better effort when 3rd of 9 at Goodwood 27-days ago. He travelled well through the race until headed in the inside the final furlong. He has gone well fresh in the past but there’s a good chance this run was just needed. Just 3lb above his last winning mark and looks capable of striking soon.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The losing run continues and it’s now became the longest one of the year. Today’s selections are from Pontefract and Kempton.

Pontefract

3:45 – Cloudea – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Returned from 395-day lay off to finish 6^th of 12 at Haydock 20-days. The lightly raced filly, just the four career starts, won at Ripon last season, and shaped at Haydock like she would appreciate a stiffer 5f. Needs to find a bit of improvement to win off her present mark but remains capable of doing so.

4:20 – Abate – 8/1 @ Bet365 – The selection has been in good form this season winning two of his seven starts. Lat win came over 6f at York back in July, off 5lb lower. Not so good on his next two starts but shaped better when close-up 6 of 13 at Thirsk 20-days ago. Was doing his best work at the finish and today’s stiffer 5f should suit.

Kempton

7:00 – Mount Mogan – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has yet to win on his five starts since racing resumed but put in a career best effort on RPR’s when 2^nd of 10 over C&D two starts back. He ran to a similar level of form back on the grass and over 5f when 4^th of 9 at Ascot last time. The return to 6f is a positive and he can go close from a handy low draw.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Need a return to winning ways on Wednesday. Today’s selections are from Perth & Kempton.

Perth

3:05 – Lucky Robin – 11/4 – Gen – The top-weight is just 3lb higher than when winning this race 12 months ago. Put in his best effort of the season when runner-up at Market Rasen 38-days ago. Two from two at the course he looks to have a good chance of making it three from three.

4:15 – Jarvey’s Plate – 7/2 – Gen – Won a bumper here in April 2018and put in an excellent effort when beating two rivals in Listed novices chase at Chepstow on his seasonal return last season. First run since failing at the Cheltenham Festival but he goes well fresh form figures, when returning from a 121+ day break are 121. Looks on a competitive mark for an inform yard.

Kempton

7:00 – Amir Kabir – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – There doesn’t seem to be a lot of pace in the race which could play into the hands of the selection who made all to win at Newmarket 25-days ago. Steadily progressive this season he shapes like 1m 3f should within his stamina range. Proven at the track he loos the one to be with in what could be a tactical race.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A poor couple of day. I’m off tomorrow and Tuesday so let’s hope we can sign off with a winner. Today’s selections are from Hamilton and Chelmsford.

Hamilton

4:40 – Elixsoft – 11/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – A winner here over a ½ furlong shorter back in July. The mare showed she can be competitive of this sort of mark when 2^nd of 10 (beaten a neck) at Ripon two starts back. A five-day turnaround was probably against here when disappointing at Musselburgh 14-days ago. Better expected although the yard has been struggling for winners of late.

5:10 – Triple Nickle – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has won two of her five starts this season. Had looked an improver for the step up to 1m 4f when winning at Chepstow two starts back. Seemed to find the step back to 1m 1f an inadequate test of stamina at Goodwood three weeks ago. Looks interesting returning to 1m 4f and remains open to more improvement over the distance.

Chelmsford

2:00 – Que Quieres – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Both career wins have come here, including C&D. Returned from a 60-day break to finish of 4^th of 10 here 10-days ago. Should be fitter today and is now 1lb below his last wining mark.

See you on Wednesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s three selections are from Newbury and Newmarket.

Newbury

3:25 – Fivethousandtoone – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Looked in need of the run when runner-up to one of today’s rivals Bahrain Pride on his racecourse debut at Windsor. Built on the promise with an impressive success at Newcastle 16-days ago. Steps up in class here but is highly regarded and an exciting colt.

4:30 – Diocles Of Rome – 5/1 @ Bet365 – A three-time winner over 7f who showed he stays a mile when 3^rd of 12 behind a pair of improving 3-year-old’s at Doncaster 7-days ago. Just the 5-year-old’s third start of the season and he looks to have a good chance off the same mark as last time.

Newmarket

2:40 – Excellent Times – 15/2 @ Bet365 – Was in excellent form around this time 12 months winning a valuable fillies handicap at York and then at Thirsk. Not so good this season but shaped like she was returning to form when 4^th of 10 at Ascot 10-days ago. Vulnerable to any improving types but she’s now 5lb below her last winning mark and hails from the inform Tim Easterby yard.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Pace did indeed win the race at Yarmouth yesterday as Hamish Macbeth was given a prominent ride by Ryan Moore as I had hoped. Another small profit added to the betting bank. Today’s selections are from Ayr and Dundalk.

Ayr

2:10 – Wobwobwob – 5/2 @ Bet365 – Was well backed before easily beating 18 rivals in winning a Thirsk nursery 4-days ago. A 6lb penalty likely underestimates him although this is much better race. Sure, to be there or thereabouts if the quick turnaround doesn’t inconvenience him.

2:45 – Bickerstaffe – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Overcome a slow start and inexperience to win on his racecourse debut at Hamilton (soft) 17-days ago. The son of Mayson put in a good speed figure that day and looks open to plenty more improvement.

Dundalk

6:00 – Irish Ambassador – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Looked a steady improver when placing in two C&D handicaps earlier in the year. First run for 196-days but has a good draw in stall 4 and if fully tuned up shouldn’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A couple of non-runners but Universal Focus got his head in front when it mattered to win at Cork. Today’s selections are from Pontefract and Yarmouth.

Pontefract

2:20 – Gale Force Maya – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was n great form when winning four of her nine starts, including C&D, in 2019. Has placed on both starts over 7f this season. Doesn’t look the best handicapped horse and will remain vulnerable to any improvers but should give her running returned to 6f.

4:20 – Little Ted – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes –Twice a winner in June, the latter of those wins came at Musselburgh (1m) off 4lb lower. He looks to have found a bit more improvement for the step up to 1m 2f and remains unexposed over the distance. Looked the most likely winner when hitting the front two out at Ripon last time but was beaten ½ length into 4^th.  A strong pace is forecast and if his effort can be delayed a bit longer than last time, can bag another win.

Yarmouth

5:10 – Hamish Macbeth – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 3-year-old won twice as juvenile before finishing 3^rd of 26 in a valuable Sales race at the Curragh 12 months ago. Has found life tougher this season but has run with credit on his last two starts in Class 2 company. Ease in grade will help today and with no pace forecast, might get the race run to suit.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was nice to sign off with a double on Monday courtesy of Bell Heather & Benefit Run. Let’s hope we can follow up with another winner or maybe two today.

Today’s selections are from Sandown, Beverley, and Cork.

Sandown

2:15 – Shoot To Kill – 4/1 @ Bet365 – Broke his maiden tag at the eight attempt when winning at Bath back in June. Slowly away at Doncaster 7-days ago he would have gone close to winning there but didn’t get a run when making his effort inside the final furlong. Normally a front runner, his slow start meant he had to come from behind at Doncaster which gives him more tactical options. Takes a slight in ease in grade here and shouldn’t be far away.

Beverley

3:35 – Regal Mirage – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Won a C&D handicap, despite pulling hard in the first-time blinkers, here 35-days ago. Nudged up 4lb but he did win here 12 months ago off today’s mark. That was almost a career best by the 6-year-old who goes well at the track (3-6) and good or quicker ground. A stronger pace would suit but he should be competitive.

Cork

4:55 – Universal Focus – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Looked to be heading towards another win when third at Down Royal & second at Leopardstown in July. Not so good at Roscommon 29-days ago but the top-weight takes a slight ease in grade here and is a previous C&D winner. Trainer among the winners and he’s got a chance of adding another one here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Cry Havoc saved the day with her win at Chelmsford. Today’s selections are from Wolverhampton & Sligo.

Wolverhampton

5:50 – Bell Heather – 11/2 @ Bet365 – The selection seems to reserve her winning g performances for Wolverhampton these days (5-20). The 7-year-old has disappointed on her last two starts on turf but did shape like her win wasn’t far away when 2^nd of 10 at Hamilton three starts back. Returned to a C&D that suits and with useful apprentice booked looks set for a big run if on a going day.

7:50 – Lady Eleanor – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Defied big odds to win a Yarmouth maiden on her seasonal return. The 3-year-old hasn’t reached that level of form on her last two starts in handicap company. However, she made up plenty of headway from the rear when 4^th of 14 at Kempton 27-days ago.  First run on the tapeta for the filly but her half brother Harry’s Bar has won here so there is a good chance she should take to the surface.

Sligo

2:10 – Benefit Run – 10/3 @ Bet365 – A winner of a maiden hurdle here last July. The selection returned from a 233-day layoff to finish 2^nd of 12 here in a handicap hurdle. A respectable third back over fences at Galway 7-days ago. Today’s better ground should suit the 8-year-old who should be in the mix once again at a track that clearly suits.

I’m off tomorrow so hopefully I can sign off with s winner. Back on Wednesday.

Cheers

John