Author: John Burke

Hi all,

I had feeling yesterday would be a tough day given the number I had on my shortlist. Saturday is always a tough day to claw back losses but we live in hope.

Lingfield

2:10 – Taste The Nector – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has been knocking on the door on her last two starts. Got going a little two late over C&D 16-days ago. Same mark as last time but Sean Davis takes off a further 3lb which can hopefully make all the difference today.

Chelmsford

7:15 – Strawberry Jack – 5/2 @ Paddy Power (Not BOG) – The selection made it 2 wins from 3 runs here when winning over C&D 16-days ago. Nudged up 2lb for that success but is open to a bit more progress on the all-weather.

Haydock

3:45 – Zizaneur – 7/2 @ Unibet or 10/3 @ Bet365 – Looked set to make a winning chase debut when clear and travelling strongly out in the front at Taunton when unseating his rider three out 11-days ago.  Provided his confidence hasn’t been dented by that experience he can make amends here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hopefully you got on the early priced 5/1 available on Legends Gold as the top weight ran out a good winner in the mare’s handicap hurdle at Ludlow. She was also one of the best backed horses on Wednesday being returned at just 7/4. I’m sure you will agree it’s a hell of a good feeling to be in on one of the gambles of the day.

Today looks a tougher day for solid betting opportunities and my six strong short list for the day reflects that. Here are the ones that survived the cull. Let’s hope I picked the right ones.

Musselburgh

3:30 – John Williams – 4/1 – Gen – Might be an 11-year-old, but I think he remains capable of winning, especially around here. Not so good on either start this autumn but he returns from a 77-day break with his trainer Sandy Thomson having his horses in good form 4 winners from 12 runners 33% +28.38 in the past 14-days. The selection has gone well off a lay off and his record over fences at Musselburgh is 4 wins from 10 runs 6 placed. Capable of going close here if returning to something like his best.

Newcastle

6:15 – Nick Vedder – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Another trainer who has his string in good form is Robyn Brisland – 5 winners from 21 runners 24% +0.25 in the past 14-days. His runner here Nick Vedder hasn’t set the world on fire since joining the trainer from Michael Wigham in September and his last two runs have been poor.  However, this is first run back at Newcastle, a track where he hasn’t been out of the first three on all his ten runs at the track, including form figures 121 over C&D.  He’s now 8lb lower than for his last win 12 months ago and dropped down to a mark that’s too tempting to ignore.

Lingfield

3:10 – Starfighter – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Hails from the very much inform Ed Walker yard 4 winner from 13 runners 31% +0.63 in the past 14-days. The selection is 1 win from 12 runs, that win came at Salisbury in September. Not so good two subsequent starts on turf and returns from a 98-day absence today. First run on the all-weather for the 4-year-old but his half-sister did all her winning on the synthetics, including around here. Looks on a workable mark and is worth a try on the surface.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Zylan (11/4) enhanced his excellent record at Southwell with another win at the venue on Wednesday. Today’s two selections are from Ludlow & Market Rasen.

Ludlow

2:55 – Legends Gold – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – The top weight won a good ground mare’s only novice hurdle over 2m 5 ½ f two starts back before disappointing in a handicap at Cheltenham 61-days ago. Off since that run which suggests she wasn’t right at Cheltenham. Maybe be better on a sounder surface but did win on soft at Bangor in the autumn. Ben Jones takes of a valuable 5lb and the selection should appreciate racing back against her own sex.  Has strong claims if her stamina holds out over today’s 3m trip.

Market Rasen

2:10 – Just Don’t Ask – 4/1 @ William Hill –  Won on his second start over fences at Wetherby 12 months ago. The 8-year-old has run with credit on all three of his starts this season without winning, putting in arguably his best effort when a close-up third to Espoir De Guye at Exeter two starts back. Brian Hughes who has ridden the gelding to all three of his wins under rules returns to the saddle for the first time this season. Remains capable of winning a handicap chase like this.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

If I had realised that ‘Storm Brendan’ would turn the Doncaster going closer to heavy than good to soft, then I probably wouldn’t have bothered putting up any selections on Tuesday.

Newbury must pass an 8am inspection to see if racing goes ahead at the Berkshire track. I hope it does as there’s a decent card for a Wednesday in January.

Wolverhampton

1:55 – River Cam – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Remains a maiden after seven starts but you can’t knock the filly’s consistency. The 3-year-old ran well in the first time cheekpieces,when a close-up 4th at Newcastle last month and could be better suited by a turning track.

2:30 – Reasoned – 11/4 @ Bet365 – The James Eustace trained 4-year-old made it 2 wins from 5 runs +3.50 4 placed 80% when winning over C&D 12-days ago. The daughter of Intello, whose progeny have a good record here, was always in a good position last tome and showed the better turn of foot to see of her 11 rivals. Up 7lb in a slightly better race demands more from the filly but she’s in good form at present and you can’t rule out the hat trick.

Southwell

5:50 – Zylan – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 8-year-old is at his best on the fibresand – 5 wins from 9 runs +26.66 7 placed including 3 wins from 4 runs 4 placed over C&D. Bounced back to form returned to the track when 2^nd of 7 over C&D 12-days ago. Now 2lb lower than for his last win 11 months ago and looks set for another bold show.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

With Exeter being abandoned we are down to just two selections at Doncaster

Doncaster

3:15 – Ballymagroarty Boy – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection a useful enough handicap hurdler last season made an encouraging debut over fences when 5^th of 12 at Chepstow 77-days ago. Has had a wind-op since but has the potential to progress over the larger obstacles. Best form over hurdles came on soft ground and at around 3m so both underfoot conditions and distance shouldn’t be a problem for the 7-year-old.

3:50 – Storm Goddess – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Won a good ground C&D maiden hurdle 12 months ago. The mare didn’t really go on from that win but was highly tried on occasions. Made an encouraging return to action when 5^th at Wincanton two starts back before struggling in a hot contest behind the useful Epatante at Newbury. Back in calmer waters today, should be fine on soft ground and trainer Charlie Longsdon is 3-10 + 25 in the past 14-days.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A small profit courtesy of Rocky’s Silver’s win at Punchestown on Sunday. Today’s selections both run at Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton

5:20 – Almurr – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Unibet – The 4-year-old responded well to the fitting of the first time cheekpieces when winning over C&D 10-days ago.  The runner-up won over C&D on Friday, so the form looks reliable enough and the 3lb rise in the weight he received for his last success doesn’t look insurmountable. If the headgear works again, he’s got a good chance of another win.

6:20 – Kaser – 15/8 @ Bet365 – Is just 2lb higher than when winning over C&D 17-days ago. That was the 5-year-old’s fourth win at the course from 11 starts.  His 2lb rise in the weights is offset by his jockey’s 3lb claim. Tends to be at his best when he gets a strong pace to chase and if he gets it another win could be in the offing.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Never Adapt saved the day with here win at Kempton on Saturday.

Kelso

12:50 – Mah Mate Bob – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Has had a good season since switching to fences 3 wins from 5 runs. All three successes have come at Sedgefield but he’s just 4lb higher than for the last of his wins 17-days ago. The 8-year-old takes a slight step up in class today but remains a potential improver and is effective on rain softened ground.

1:55 – Chti Blako – 15/8 @ William Hill – Made all to win at Bangor two starts back and ran just as well when runner-up at Haydock 22-days ago. Goes well in the mud and looks set to get an uncontested lead here. If his last two hard races haven’t their left a mark the 8-year-old has a good chance to add to his win tally.

Punchestown

2:10 – Rocky’s Silver – 9/2 @ Bet365 – The selection was an easy winner here two starts back over three furlongs shorter and wasn’t disgraced when 6^th of 10 back over hurdles at Cork 8-days ago. No problem with the step up to 3m 1 ½ f or any easing in the ground for the 7-year-old who gets the added assistance of Derek O’Connor in the saddle.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Kempton

2:40 – Notre Pari – 11/4 @ Bet365 & Coral – Broke his maiden tag at the 5th attempt when winning a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Aintree last month. It was a decisive success and he was strong at the finish over 2m 4f. Today’s extra furlong shouldn’t be a problem and he showed he can go right-handed when runner-up at Market Rasen two starts back. Up 8lb but goes well with juice in the ground and remains open to further progression.

3:45 – Never Adapt – 13/8 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner over hurdles when trained in France. The mare had been far to free on her hurdle debut for Nicky Henderson last season. She returned from a 391-day break to finish a close-up 3^rd of 13 on her handicap hurdle debut at Cheltenham last month. Once again, she was a shade keen in the early in the race but hopefully that race will have taken some of the freshness out of her and she remains with potential off a mark of 130.

Wetherby

3:25 – Absolutely Dylan – 4/1 @ Bet365 – Had looked a handicap chaser capable of rating higher than 109 when winning on heavy ground at Haydock back in 2018. Sadly, for connections he didn’t built on that effort on four subsequent starts last season. The selection returned to action with a respectable run over C&D 70-days ago. Has dropped back down to his last winning mark and trainer Sue Smith has her horses in much better form now.

Cheers

John

Morning all,

Yesterday was dreadful. Hoping for better today.

Huntingdon

1:35 – Arthur’s Reuben – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selections best runs have come here, including when winning this race 12 months ago, off today’s mark. Ran well when 4^th of 13 over C&D last month. Looks set for a bold show in his bid for back to back wins in the race.

Sedgefield

2:35 – Benechenko – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Returned from 551-day break with an excellent when a close-up finishing 4^th of 13 at Taunton in November. Didn’t really build on that promise when a well beaten 2^nd of 7 at Hereford 27-days ago. Capable of winning this if reproducing his Taunton run today. Trainer Fergal O’Brien 3 winners from 7 runners 43% + 3.78 with his chasers at the course in the past 5-years.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Thursday Stat Pointers

Catterick

1:00 – Massini’s Dream – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection has yet to win under rules after 12 starts but she has posted two good placed efforts since returning from a 427-day absence. Looks capable of winning off her present mark if running up to form.

Chelmsford

6:00 – Homesick Boy – 3/1 @Bet365 – A winner over C&D back in October. The 4-year-old has remained in good form and was only beaten a neck into second here 7-days ago. Should go close given a decent pace to chase.

Newcastle

1:20 – Newmarket Warrior – 5/1 @ Bet365 – The 9-year-old is a three-time C&D winner and was only beaten a length into third here two starts back, off today’s mark. Not as good at Wolverhampton 40-days ago but can never be ruled out back here.

Cheers

John