Author: John Burke

Hi all,

A winning end to the money with Indian Brave’s success at Chepstow on Friday.

Lingfield

2:20 – Mister Shady – 9/2 – Gen – The selection made a winning handicap debut over C&D 7-days ago. Up 4lb and a notch in class demands more from the 3-year-old but he’s in form and looks set to go close again.

Musselburgh

2:05 – Ashington – 11/4 @ Bet365 – A useful handicapper on the flat the 5-year-old has taken well to hurdling winning two of his first three starts over hurdles, including a novice over C&D. The selection was sent off 6/4 favourite for his handicap hurdle debut here on New Year’s Day. Looked to be travelling like the most likely winner coming to two but found two stronger stayers too good after the last. Capable of gaining compensation today.

Sandown

1:15 – Dolos – 10/3 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Returned to action with a solid effort in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November. A previous C&D winner he had little chamce in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek on last start. The top-weight is vulnerable to any improvers but the return to handicap company will suit the 7-year-old who hails from the very much inform Paul Nicholls stable.

2:25 – Grand Sancy – 7/1 @ Bet365 – Another from the Paul Nicholls stable. Apart from favourite Laurina the selection was the highest rated of these over hurdles. Was thrown in the deep end for his chasing debut in a Grade 1 at the track in December but wasn’t disgraced in finishing 3^rd of 6. Ran in Grade 2 company behind Global Citizen at Kempton 36-days ago. Shaped that day like today’s step up in trip would suit although this is another hot race.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It’s been the worst month for the service in ages so I can’t wait for it to end. We couldn’t build on Wednesday’s win yesterday but hopefully we can land on a winner on the final day of January.

Today’s selections race at Chepstow, Lingfield & Newcastle.

Chepstow

2:55 – Indian Brave – 4/1 @ Ladbrokes & Bet365 – Just the four starts since returning from a near two-year absence, three of them this season. The selection has placed on three starts, including over C&D. Last time out was beaten 1 ¾ lengths into second at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, off 1lb lower. Ticks the all-important going box and should go close again.

Lingfield

1:10 – Noble Peace – 9/4 @ Ladbrokes & Bet365 – The selection has been in tremendous form around here, form figures on his last four starts with form figures 1211, that last two wins coming over 2f further. Provided the race isn’t to tactical, the 4lb penalty he carries for the last of those wins just seven days ago shouldn’t prevent another bold show.

6:45 – Oriental Lilly – 5/1 @ Ladbrokes – Five times a winner here over 5f/6f in the past. The mare has been shaping of late like she needs a step up to 7f a distance, a trip she did win over on the turf last September. Capable of going well again at a track that suits.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

At last a winner with Sabathical doing the business for us at an early priced advised 5/1 at Leicester on Wednesday afternoon.

Wincanton

1:45 – River Bray – 9/1 @ Bet365 – The 7-year-old put in a career best effort when 2^nd of 11 to Earth Moor at Taunton 23-days ago. The winner, a potential improver, runs in this again but River Bray gets 5lb for a 2 ½ length beating and has a decent chance of reversing form with that one today. The selection won a novice hurdle over 1m 7 ½ f here 12 months ago but showed last time that he gets further. Trainer had a welcome winner at Leicester yesterday which is another positive to his chance.

Chelmsford

7:00 – Superseded – 4/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – Was beaten 1 ½ lengths into third by one of today’s rivals Cuban Spirit at Lingfield 13-days ago. The selection wasn’t as well drawn as the winner that day, did well to get a close as he did at the finish and gets a 5lb pull in the weight today.  The blinkers return today, and the 4-year-old has been running like another success isn’t to far away.

Southwell

12:50 – Loulin – 9/2 – Gen – The 5-year-old won a minor race over C&D back in November before going onto win again at Chelmsford last month. Was beaten just ½ back over C&D 15-days ago, off 1lb lower. And shouldn’t be far way again today at a venue that suits.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The poor run continues but hopefully today is the day results turn around.

Leicester

3:15 – Ardmayle – 7/2 @Bet365 – The 8-year-old is 2 wins from 2 runs at the course, including C&D, and is 3 wins from 5 runs on heavy, so ticks the all-important boxes marked course, distance and going. Has yet to fire on three starts this season, last two over fences but the return to the smaller obstacles could see the selection bounce back to winning form today.

4:15 – Sabathical – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Put in a career best effort when 3^rd of 11 at Plumpton off today’s mark 9 days ago. Just the four starts over hurdles so the 5-year-old is open to a bit more progress on just his second handicap start off what looks a workable mark.

Kempton

7:45 – Distant Applause – 13/2 @ Bet365 – The selection down the field on his first start for 303 days two starts back, seemed to bounce back to form when 4^th of 12 at Wolverhampton 14-days ago, although the first-time blinkers he wore that day have been removed. Just the eight career starts, and it’s worth remembering the 5-year-old was beaten just a short head, off 3lb higher, over a furlong shorter here 12 months ago.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

No luck yesterday but all four selections placed so anyone who backed them in an each way Lucky 15 would have made a tidy profit.

I have selections from both Lingfield & Newcastle cards but both tracks must pass 8am inspections to see if racing can go ahead.

There are five selections racing on Tuesday and below I will give you my staking plan for the selections.

Lingfield

2:30 – Inspireus – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Built on the promise of his 4^th here on his chase debut over C&D when dead heating for first here over 2m 4f 21-days ago. Both runs came on heavy so no issues with the going. Steps back up in trip today off 3lb higher but Page Fuller takes off 3lb which negates the weight rise.

Newcastle

2:10 – Hill Sixteen – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection gained his first win over fences at the 4^th attempt when winning at Sedgefield 18-days ago. Didn’t travel that well that day but he’s open to further progress over fences and this more galloping track may suit him better.

3:10 – Ripstick – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 9-year-old gained his first win under rules at the 14^th attempt when winning at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Ran just as well in defeat when 3^rd of 8 behind one of today’s rival Duntly (a winner again since) and can now meet that one on 16lb better terms for a 7 ¾ length beating.

Southwell

4:25 – Fivehundredmiles – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Both career wins have come on turf, he’s 0 wins from 17 runs 4 places on the synthetics.  Ran with promise when 4^th of 13 at Lingfield on his first start for new trainer David Evans 10-days ago. First start on the fibresand but ran with credit on the dirt in the UAE two years ago. On as competitive mark here and has each way claims if taking to the surface.

6:55 – Break The Silence – 4/1 @ Bet365 – Comes into the race in good form gaining his fourth C&D win two starts back. The 6-year-old was 4^th of 6 back, after a slow start, here 15-days ago. Capable of going close in a slightly weaker race.

5 x 1pt singles

0.25pts each way Lucky 31 with Ladbrokes or Coral

Staked – 20.5pts

Cheers

John

Hi all,

There’s no hiding place. I’m struggling for winners at present. In the last week or so I have gone from a near 28%-win strike to about 10%. Let’s hope we can get back on track today.

Wolverhampton

4:30 – Cuillin – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The mare won here over 1m 4f back in November although she hasn’t been at that level of form on two subsequent starts on the polytrack at Kempton & Lingfield. A return to the tapeta is a positive and the step up to 1m 6f looks interesting.

Kelso

2:15 – Celtic Flames – 13/2 @ Coral – The selection is 2 wins from 7 runs over fences with the last of those wins coming in March 2018. Has returned from a 475-day break with two respectable runs over hurdles. Back over fences today off his last winning mark and expected to go well for a stable among the winners.

Plumpton

3:30 – Pres – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Jumped well, when making all to win on his chase debut at Lingfield back in November. Ran just as well when runner-up back at the same venue on his next start before running a shocker in a better race at Wincanton 32-days ago. The 6-year-old drops a notch in class today and remains capable of more progress over fences.

4:00 – Sadma – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 11-year-old bounced back to form when winning at Hereford in November. Has continued to run well both subsequent starts with solid placed efforts over C&D and at Wincanton 23-days ago. Looks capable of going close again if in the same form.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Enthaar saved what could have been a disastrous day with a win at a BOG 9/2 at Kempton on Saturday evening. Today’s selections race at Sedgefield & Naas.

Sedgefield

1:00 – Masters Apprentice – 3/1 @Bet365 – Probably found the going and track too testing when only 4^th of 7 at Leicester 29-days ago. Prior to that the selection had made a winning handicap debut over C&D off 7lb lower. A 5lb claimer has been booked today and the 5-year-old should be better suited to a return to Sedgefield where his form figures are 21.

2:30 – Coole Well – 5/1 – Gen – The selection has finished runner-up on all three of his starts since going chasing this season. His second to Simply The Betts (Cheltenham handicap chase winner on Saturday) on his debut over the larger obstacles looks decent form now. The 7-year-old comes into the race on the back of a good effort at Taunton 19-days ago and look capable of winning a race like this off his present mark.

Naas

3:40 – Caravation – 9/2 @ Bet365 –Third of 17 behind the useful Bapaume in a beginners chase at the track last month. The mare then followed up that excellent run with a win here in a beginners chase 21 days ago. Makes her handicap chase debut of what looks a competitive mark off 128. The top-weight is open to more progression over the larger obstacles and has the potential to rate higher.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I’m back from a break today and at least I came off the cold list on Monday. I have gone with all five horses on today’s shortlist so it more selections than normal. Let’s hope it pays off with a few winners.

Doncaster

2:05 – Champagne Well – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has improved for the fitting of the tongue tie on his three starts this season. The 7-year-old won a novice hurdle at Cheltenham back in October and has finished runner-up on his last two starts in Grade 2 company back at the same venue on his last two starts.  Must give 3lb to all but one of his four rivals but still looks the one to beat.

Cheltenham

2:25 – Bristol De Mai – 9/4 @ Bet365 & Betway – Hasn’t always been at his best at Cheltenham and was only third in this race in 2018. Twice a winner of the Grade 1 Betfair Chase. He was runner-up to Lostintranslation in this seasons race. He was third to Al Boum Photo in last season’s Gold Cup and remains the one they all have to beat.

3:35 – If The Cap Fits – 3/1 @ Bet365 – I’m taking on Stayers Hurdle winner Paisley Park with the If The Cap Fits. The selection only has 3lb to find with Paisley Park on official ratings. The 8-year-old remains unexposed over 3m, just the one run beyond 2m 3 ½ f when winning the 3m ½ f Grade 1 at Aintree last season, made a winning seasonal return in a Grade 2 at Ascot 63-days ago.

Lingfield

4:05 – Aguerooo – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selectionis 4 wins from 10 runs +9.25 5 placed over C&D. Shaped like he was about to hit winning form when 3^rd of 12 at Wolverhampton 12-days ago. Races off the same mark here and is 4lb lower than when winning this race 12 months ago.

Kempton

7:00 – Enthaar – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Had a wide trip when 5^th of 9 at Chelmsford last month. The 5-year-old seems to go well after a short break, two of his three career wins have come when racing within 31 to 60-days since his last run. Drops back in Class 5 company today which should be in the selections favour as he’s 3 wins from 9 runs +10.25 7 placed in Class 5 compared to 0 wins from 10 runs 1 placed in higher class races.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A truly dreadful three days. I’m almost on my longest losing run. If there is no winner on Monday, then it will be the worst run since the service launched.

I’m away in North Wales until Friday so let’s hope I can go into this short break with a winner or two.

Newcastle

4:00 – Skipthescales – 5/1 @ Unibet & Bet365 – Two from two here over hurdles and fences. The selection made an encouraging return to action when 3^rd of 11 at Wetherby 25-days ago. He should be fitter for that run and the return to 2m 7 ½ f is in his favour. Top weight of 11-13 to carry but he drops into Class 4 company today.

Kempton

3:50 – City Tour – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 5-year-old gained his first win since joining Lynda Richards over C&D 40-days ago. Racing the first-time blinkers that day, it was a career best effort on RPR’s.  Up 3lb for that success if the headgear continues to have the desired effect then there’s a good chance that the selection can follow up.

Wolverhampton

7:25 – Tio Esteban – 10/3 @William Hill & Unibet – Irish raider took advantage of a career low mark, when winning over C&D two starts back under today’s jockey Kieran O’Neill. Not so good back at Dundalk when only 6th in the hands of a 7lb apprentice 17-days ago. Seemed to enjoy the tapeta surface and benefitted from a strong pace when winning here and if gets it again can gain another course win.

See you all on Saturday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

What a dreadful couple of days. Let’s hope we can get among the winners today.

Ayr

2:25 – Speak Of The Devil – 11/4 @ Bet365 – Made an encouraging debut over fences at Newcastle back in November. Sent off 4/1 for a handicap chase at Haydock but he unseated his rider at the second. Ran well enough when runner-up back again at Newcastle. Shaped last time like he could be suited to the step up to 3m 3f.

4:00 – Sporting Yankee – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Hasn’t wonsince December 2016 but has improved with each of his five runs since joining the Gordon Elliott yard in September. The 7-year-old has now finished runner-up at Fairyhouse and here 13-days ago. Both his last two starts have come on heavy ground so no issues with the going and look sure to be there or thereabouts once again.

Wolverhampton

4:10 – Star Ascending – 11/4 @ Bet365 – The selection has five C&D wins to his name from sixteen starts. He tends to be at his best in January & February – 6 wins from 13 starts 9 placed – now 2lb below last years winning mark. Was a 4 ½ length 4^th of 12 over 1m 1 ½ f here 13-days ago. The return to 1m 4f will be in the 8-year-old’s favour. Handicapped to win sooner rather than later.

Cheers

John