Author: John Burke

Hi all,

The first two weeks after racing’s resumption where fantastic for the service. However, the excellent run had to come to end sometime and the last few days have been tough.

You have winning streaks and you have losing streaks in this game. Let’s hope the present losing one is a short one and any losses over the last few days are quickly recouped.

Today’s selections go at Kempton and Leopardstown.

Kempton

3:25 – Lottie Marie – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Has improved with each of her three starts putting a career best when winning a maiden here back in January. Step up to a mile should suit the filly for her handicap debut and Cieren Fallon takes off a handy 3lb.

Leopardstown

3:10 – Sirjack Thomas – 4/1 @ Bet365 – The 5-year-old was doing his best work at the finish when 4^th of 14 at Gowran Park 10-days ago. He’s clearly returned to level in good form and the booking of Colin Keane is an eyecatching one.

5:15 – One Voice – 11/4 @ Bet365 – Built on the promise of her two juvenile starts, including a maiden win here when beaten a nose by her lesser fancied stablemate in a Listed race at Navan 11-days ago. This is tougher but she’s going the right way and has a favourites chance.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The well backed Art Power did the business for us on Friday to save the day. Proving he was a very well handicapped horse in the 5f handicap that opened day four of Royal Ascot. Sadly it looks like Pierre Lapin broke down in the Commonwealth Cup.

Today’s selections are from Royal Ascot, Newmarket and Kempton.

Royal Ascot

1:50 – Admiral Nelson – 9/4 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Aidan O’Brien has saddled the winner of the race four times since 2011. He has the likely favourite in recent winner Admiral Nelson.  The son of Kingman created a good impression with a decisive success on his racecourse debut at the Curragh 8-days ago. Today’s extra furlong will suit and if the quick turnaround doesn’t inconvenience the colt, he will be tough to beat.

Newmarket

1:40 – Star Cactus – 11/4 @ Bet365 – The selection was sent off second favourite for her racecourse debut here 16-days ago. The daughter of Uncle Mo shaped with promise that day finishing 4^th and should have improved for her first start.

Kempton

7:25 – Motivate Me – 15/2 @ Bet365 – Lightly raced for a 4-year-old the filly won a Salisbury maiden on her second start last spring before running a subsequent improver and French Group 3 winner to ¾ length at Haydock. Disappointed on her handicap debut at Newbury and hasn’t been seen on the racecourse for 337-days. A mark of 80 still looks workable for her all-weather debut and her trainer Roger Varian has a good record here with his handicappers switching from turf to the synthetics.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A tough day on Thursday. A couple of seconds is the best we could manage although I thought Monarch Of Egypt would win when he edged ahead inside the final furlong. It can be fine margins between profit and loss in this game.

All three of today’s selections go at the Royal Meeting.

Royal Ascot

1:15 – Art Power – 2/1 @ Bet365 – One of the few Tim Easterby runners to win first time up since racing resumed when winning over 6f at Newcastle 18-days ago. The drop back to minium trip shouldn’t bother the speedy 3-year-old who proved his effectiveness on soft when winning at York last season. Plenty to like about his chance here despite the form of the yard.

2:25 – Lipizzaner – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Built on the promise of his March racecourse debut when once again occupying the runner-up spot at Naas over 6f. The son of Uncle Mo showed plenty of speed at that day so the drop back to the minimum trip shouldn’t be a problem. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won this race twice since 2015.

3:35 – Pierre Lapin –9/2 @ Paddy Power – The three-year-old was unbeaten on both his juvenile starts, including a descisive success Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Looks an ideal type for the race and seems best after a lay off. Big chance of making three from three, although soft ground is an unknown for the colt.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Both Wednesday’s selections ran disappointly. Juan Elcano was to keen during his race and paid for his early exertions late on. While Chief Little Hawk could never get competitive from his low draw in the juvenile race.

It’s day three of Royal Ascot. I have three selections from there.

Royal Ascot

1:50 – Sir Dragonet – 3/1 @Bet365 – Had looked a smart colt in the making when winning the Chester Vase last May. The colt was then sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Derby and given his relative inexperience did well to get as close as he did in 5th. Probably didn’t stay 1m 6f when only 4th in the St Leger. Remains capable of better as 4-year-old and really needs to win this to put his career back on track.

2:25 – Monarch Of Egypt – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Was a useful juvenile but didn’t get any sort of run behind a wall of horses when 7th in the Irish 2000 Guineas 6-days ago. Drops in both in class and distance and provided this race doesn’t come to quick after his Guineas run can go close.

3:00 – Modern News – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Modern News won a Newmarket maiden on his racecourse debut 11 days ago. Looked a smart colt that day and is another who should appreciate today’s extra furlong. Hopefully he can follow in the hoof prints of stablemate Pinatubo who won this race 12 months ago.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Nazeef got up in the final strides to win at Royal Ascot yesterday. Terebellum was just run of it in the Queen Anne, beaten a head. So close, yet so far, to two Royal Ascot winners on the day.

It’s day two of Royal Ascot and winner finding looks tougher today.

Royal Ascot

1:50 – Juan Elcano – 7/2 @ Ladbrokes – Out ran his odds to finish 5th in the 2000 Guineas. Raced like the step up to 1m 2f will suit and comes into the race with the best form. Seems to be neglected by the market but he will do for me.

4:10 – Chief Little Hawk – 4/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral – A chance is taken with the selection a winner at Navan 7-days ago. He looks a smart colt but the going won’t be as fast at Navan. Aidan O’Brien & Ryan Moore have a great record when teaming up at Royal Ascot with juvenile colts – 7 winners from 18 runners 39% + 31.24 A/E 1.8 113 placed 72% (+42.04 each way).

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another ‘lucky last’ race as Red Secret, improved for the fitting of the visor to win comfortably at Kempton. The 4-year-old was returned the well backed 7/4 favourite but hopefully you were on the early advised 5/2.

Day 1 of Royal Ascot and its a history making five days. It will be the first Royal Ascot run behind closed doors and there will be no Queen in attendance.

I have two selections from the Royal Meeting and one from the evening card at Windsor.

Royal Ascot

1:50 – Terebellum – 7/2 @ Bet365 is an improving filly who has race fitness on her side having won the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket 10-days ago.  Drop back to a mile shouldn’t be a problem as she doesn’t lack pace. Lightly raced, she’s going the right way and should improve further on her Newmarket run. Deserves another chance in Group 1 company.

4:10 –Nazeef – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Improved to win her last three starts in 2019. Showed she had trained on and improved as a 4-year-old when touching off Billesdon Brook in the Snowdrop Stakes 13-days ago. Has 5lb to find with favourite Jubiloso on OR’s but she’s more reliable and looks a good prospect.

Windsor

7:00 – Junius Brutus – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Last win came in his 2-year-old season and the 4-year-old found it a lot tougher last season. His best run of 2019 came here when runner -up over 5f, off 6lb higher. Seemed to bounce back to form when second to Treacherous at Kempton 118-days ago. On a winnable mark for the inform Ralph Beckett yard.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

After Saturday’s disappointment we bounced back with a winner in the ‘lucky’ last at Leopardstown. As the well backed Confidence High dug in to win under his 6lb penalty. We have had just two losing days since racings resumption so things are ticking along nicely.

I have selections from Kempton & Goodwood.

Goodwood

3:15 – Zoran – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Has shown plenty of promise on his three starts in maiden/novice company and put in a career best when 4th of 12 in a decent Newcastle maiden 12-days ago.  First start on turf but looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut.

Kempton

7:05 – Red Secret – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Trainer Ed Dunlop has been among the winners since the resumption of British racing. The selection won at Wolverhampton in the autumn over 1m 6f before running just as well when runner-up at Chelmsford on his final start over 2019. The step up to 2m can eke out more improvement in the 4-year-old. Normal blinkers are replaced by the first-time visor for his first start for 228-days and the booking of Jim Crowley suggests he can go close.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Yesterday was the most disappointing day since racing’s resumption but it was to be expected given the run we’ve been on.

Doncaster

2:35 – Copper Knight – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Has the benefit of a recent run at Newmarket 8-days ago when he ran a cracker to finish runner-up in Class 2 handicap, beaten just a short head. That was a career best on turf from the 6-year-old on RPR’s, so he’s clearly returned to the track in great form. Six of his eight career wins have come when racing 8 to 15-days since his last start so he should be spot on here.  Drying ground will suit and a reproduction of his Newmarket run would see him go close

Newmarket

2:45 – I Know How – 8/1 @ Bet365 – Improved for the fitting of the blinkers last September and put in a career best when winning at Newcastle two starts back. Not quite at his best when 4^th in a better race 101-days ago. Has been running mostly at Newcastle of late but he’s won twice on turf in the past so the retun to the grass shouldn’t be an issue and he’s back down into Class 5 company.

Leopardstown

5:45 – Confidence High –9/4 @Bet365 – Looked much improved when winning over C&D (good to firm) five days ago. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for that success, but if in the same form as last week can win again.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The Blue Bower was given a good ride by Josephine Gordon to win on her stable debut for Johnny Portman at Wolverhampton yesterday afternoon.  Blue Mist could only finish second at Newbury and is becoming disappointing and Away He Goes never fired. Still a profit on the day and that’s all that matters.

Curragh

7:15 – Albigna – 2/1 @ Bet365 – Won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac last season and is the clear pick on juvenile form in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Might need further than a mile this season but should have to much class for her rivals here.

Newbury

3:35 – Zaaki – 4/1 @ Bet365 – Has to give King Of Comedy 3lb for winning a Group 3 at York last season and he also won this race last year when it was run at Epsom. The 5-year-old is consistent at this level and he’s won first time up for the last two seasons.

Doncaster

2:15 – Gale Force Maya – 13/2 @ Bet365 – The filly was steadily progressive last season winning four times. Slight doubt about 7f, on rain softened ground, for her seasonal return but she’s 2 wins from 2 runs when racing 121+ days since here last start and a healthy 3 wins from 4 runs in Class 4 company.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A feast of racing both sides of the Irish Sea from four meetings today. At the Curragh it’s the Irish 2000 Guineas but there’s also compettive cards at Newbury, Kempton & Wolverhampton.

Newbury

5:25 – Blue Mist – 11/4 @ Bet365 – Didn’t win on his four starts last season but ran really well in two hot Ascot 7f handicaps. First when 6^th of 26 behind Cape Byron in the Victoria Cup on his seasonal reappearance and then when 3^rd of 23 to Raising Sand in the International Stakes in July. Handles good to soft and goes well fresh.

5:55 – Away He Goes – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Finished a close-up second to St Leger winner Logician on his racecourse debut last Summer.  He then went onto win here, over 1m 2f, and over 1m 4f at Newmarket on his last start 322-days ago.  Showed a good attitude to win on the July Course on the latter occasion. Looks on a good mark for his handicap debut. Races in the first time cheekpieces today but he’s the one they all have to beat.

Wolverhampton

2:30 – The Blue Bower – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Failed to win to win on her nine starts for trainer Suzy Smith but ran well to place on her final two starts in nursery company at Kempton & Chelmsford in November. First start for new trainer Johnny Portman today and looks capable of winning races off her present mark if the stable switch has the desired effect.  Stall 11 could be better but if she’s ready to roll on her return shouldn’t be far away.

Cheers

John