Author: John Burke

Hi all,

I think Smugglers Stash is still running, as he never really got competitive and faded out of contention.

Taunton

2:35 – Vaziani – 15/2 – Gen – There has been a welcome upturn in the form of the Robert Walford stable – 2 winners from 10 runners 20% +3.50 – in the past 14-days. The 5-year-old isn’t the best handicapped horse in the field, but he ran well enough when 2^nd of 5 at Plumpton 24-days ago. Slightly up in class here but looks set for a good run with a useful conditional jockey taking off 7lb.

3:10 – Spring Wolf – 11/1 @ Paddy Power – Another from the Robert Walford stable. The 11-year-old is lightly raced for his age just the 8 starts, including four over fences. Both his career wins have come over fences, including over C&D two starts back. Needs to jump better and cut out the mistakes but no problem should the going ease and shouldn’t be far away.

Warwick

1:20 – Sensulano – Evens – Gen – A very useful hurdler, including a win here, has made an encouraging start to her career over fences. A runner-up on her seasonal reappearance before running out a comfortable winner of a mare’s beginners chase at Fontwell last month. Steps up to listed class here but the 6-year-old be competitive on her hurdle form especially with the overnight favourite declared a non-runner.

I’m off tomorrow but will be back on Saturday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hexham

12:50 – Smugglers Stash – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Trainer Rose Dobbin had a big race winner at Kelso on Sunday and I’m hoping that the selection can win for her. A previous C&D winner the 9-year-old is back down to his last winning mark. Returned from a 571-day absence finishing 3^rd of 6 over C&D 33-days. Ran well considering his long lay off and although ultimately well beaten can go close here if building on that effort. No issues with the ground.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Top Notch saved the day with his win in the Peterborugh Chase at Huntingdon yesterday. Todays’ racing looks to tough and there a few solid betting opportunities. I may well regret putting these two up.

Musselburgh

Blue Kascade – 11/1 – Gen – The 12-year-old ended last season on the downgrade but he’s a well handicapped horse if he can bounce back to form on his first start since July. The case for the defence first. Well the veteran has run the track well in the past – 3 wins from 6 runs +5.38 4 placed. He’s gone well fresh in the past – 4 wins from 11 runs +7.88, when racing 90-days+ since his last run.  On the negative side would be any softening of the ground which probably wouldn’t be in the old boy’s favour as his best form had previously come on good to soft or good ground.

Newcastle

6:15 – Pearl Of Qatar – 5/1 @ William Hill – Made it 1 form 2 when bolting up over C&D 68-days ago. The handicapper has raised the filly 7lb for that success which probably wouldn’t stop her if in the same form here. Slight concern would be why she hes been given a break since her last win.

I’m off tomorrow but will be back on Wednesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was a frustrating Saturday with Cash To Ash looking set for his first career win when falling at the last at Wetherby, Let’s hope for better luck today.

Kelso

1:45 – Rubytwo – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection remains a maiden after eight starts over hurdles, but she’s put in plenty of good efforts. Non more so than when runner-up on her seasonal return at Wetherby 37-days ago. Entitled to have come on for that run and can win a race like this if all the cards fall right.

Huntingdon

1:30 – Fransham – 6/1 @ Ladbrokes – Twice a winner in the spring on a sound surface had no problem with soft ground when making a winning return to action at Wetherby 37-days ago.  The selection has been raised 6lb for that win, but he did show a nice turn of foot to win his race that day and looks on the upgrade.

2:00 – Top Notch – 2/1 – Gen – The consistent 8-year-old doesn’t always get the credit he deserves but he’s’ won 50% of his starts.  He showed his well-being when winning over hurdles on his seasonal debut at Aintree last month. This race has been the target for Top Notch, and he won it 2017, when it was switched to Taunton. As he showed at Aintree, he doesn’t like to be beaten. What better horse could you want in a finish but one who likes to win.

Cheers

John

Hi all

One good winner in Espoir De Guye but two other poor selections on Friday. On to Saturday and today’s selections run at Chepstow, Navan & Wetherby.

Chepstow

1:55 – Looks Like Power – 9/2 @ Bet365 –  It maybe worth taking a chance with Looks Like Power in the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial. The 9-year-old is a bit of Chepstow specialist with form figures 2113, with both wins coming at around 3m. Returns from a 244-day break, 0 wins from 7 runs 2 placed so no record fresh which is a slight negative but the softer the ground, the better his chance.

Navan

1:05 – Gran Geste – 6/1 @ Bet365 or 11/2 – Gen – The selection looked a well handicapped hurdler when winning over 2m 6f at Galway 41-days ago. The handicapper has raised the 6-year-old 8lb for that decisive win but he’s capable of more progress stepped up to 3m and looks the one they all have to beat.

Wetherby

2:50 – Cash To Ash – 4/1 – Gen – The 6-year-old has yet to shed his maiden tag after 8 career starts, four over fences, but surely a win can’t be far away. He put in a career best when runner-up at Market Rasen 16-days ago. Can race off the same mark today and has a big chance here today with ground set to suit.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Cobolobo‘s win at Haydock yesterday made up for Sabdina Fairchild’s luckless run at Dundalk on Tuesday.

Three selections today running at Wincanton & Kempton.

Wincanton

12:55 – Cill Anna – 7/2 @ Bet365 – An expensive purchase after winning a good ground Irish point in March. Hasn’t set the world alight on her two starts in bumpers this autumn but hurdling could see her in a much better light, as should the step up to 2m 5 ½ f. Trainer Paul Nicholls has an exceptional record with his runners in novice & maiden hurdles at Wincanton in November/December – 12 winners from 19 runners 63% +4.76 A/E 1.33 14 placed 74%. That impressive record improves with those sent of favourite – 10 winners from 11 runners 91% +5.26. The only runner to fail to win, fell at the last when still in the lead.

2:40 – Lizzie Langton – 11/4 @ Paddy Power – The mare won this corresponding race 12 months ago off 3lb lower. Last of 5 on heavy ground at Lingfield on her seasonal reappearance over an inadequate 2m 4f 16-days ago.  Should run lot better today, now returned to a more suitable distance. A good chance of following up last years win.

Kempton

7:15 – Siberian Kinight – 11/4 – Gen – Improved for the step into nursery company when 2^nd of 12, beaten a head over C&D last week. Just 1lb higher than last time but does step up two notches in class today. Will needs to improve to win but given he still looked a a shade green at the finish, he’s probably capable of doing so.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Haydock

3:00 – Cobolobo – 4/1 @ Paddy Power – Yet to win over fences but the selection has shaped well enough to think he’s more than capable of winning off his present mark. Was still going well when coming down at Exeter on his final start last season. Returned to action after a 245-day break when pulling up at Cheltenham 40-days ago. The tongue tie returns here and it’s worth remembering he was sent off just 4/1 last time.

3:35 – Better Getalong – 4/1 – Gen – The selection has just the had the five starts since winning an Ayr novice hurdle in Januray 2018. Best of his three runs last season came when runner-up over C&D last December. The 8-year-old goes well fresh and his form figures when returning from a 181+ day absence are 2112. The ‘mud’ really suits, and he looks set to go well for an inform stable.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections run at Lingfield & Newbury. Still got this annying chest infection so I will take Sunday off and return either Monday or Tuesday.

Lingfield

3:25 – Maazel – 5/1 @ Bet365 –  A previous C&D winner the 5-year-old made a good return to action when 4^th of 12 over C&D 24-days. Needs a strong pace to chase to be at his best, so is a hostage to fortune but when the cards fall right, he seems to be on a winnable mark.

Newbury

3:40 – Magic Saint  – 7/2 @ Coral & Williamk Hill – The 5-year-old heads the ante post market. He should improve plenty for his recent 5th of 17 in the BetVictor Gold Cup and the drop back to an extended two mile will also be in his favour. Short price given what looks a competitive race, but he could be thrown in here and better than his mark of 147.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Dundalk

8:15 – Rippling Waters – 4/1 @Bet365 & Betway – Twice a winner on the synthetics when trained in Britain. The selection made a highly encouraging debut for new trainer Tracey Collins when 2^nd of 14 over C&D 23-days ago. Nudged up 1lb for her last run the mare remains on a competitive mark and will win here sooner rather than later. The only slight negative is stall 11 but apart from that a big run can be expected.

Limerick

3:20 – Rightback Atya – 5/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – The 11-year-olddoesn’t have the most inspiring of career win records 2 wins from 25 starts, but he did put in one of his better efferts when 2^nd of 16 at Fairyhouse 17-days ago. Not sure to back that effort up but if he does, he’s handicapped to go close.  The more testing the ground the better as the selections best efforts have come with heavy in the going descrption.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Taunton

2:50 – Bang On – 7/1 @ Paddy Power or 13/2 – Gen – The selection’s sole win came over C&D 12 months ago. Returning from a 212-day break, when a 2 ¼ lengths, 2^nd of 10 over C&D 14-days ago.  May prefer slightly better ground but will be sharper for his seasonal reappearance and off 1lb higher is expected to be bang there at the finish.

Cheers

John