Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Kempton

2:00 – Colonel Slade – 5/2 @ Bet365 – The selection showed the benefit of a recent wind-op with wins at Newcastle & Wolverhampton. Different surface for the 3-year-old today and he’s 7lb higher than for the last of those wins 16-days ago. However, he looks progressive and probably hasn’t finished his winning run just yet.

3:00 – Jalaad – 10/3 @ William Hill & Unibet – Made it 2 wins from 6 starts this year when getting home by a neck at Newcastle 38-days ago. Up 5lb for that success makes life difficult for the 4-year-old but a 5lb apprentice has been booked for the ride which negates the weight rise. Showed a willing attitude last time and clearly goes well on the synthetics, has only been out the first two once on four starts.

Hereford

4:20 – Carpool – 10/1 @ William Hill & Unibet – A winning pointer, the 5-year-old has improved to finish runner-up on her last two starts in maiden/novice company. Need to improve for the step up into handicap company but looks possible.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hopefully you got on the generally available 7/2 as Vinndication’s impressivewinmade it small profit on Saturday combined with Friday’s larger profit it’s been a good two days for the service.

Sunday looks much tougher, but we are playing with the bookie’s money so lets roll the dice with selections at Naas and Cork.

Naas

2:35 – Ultra Pride – 6/1 – Gen – All eyes here on the Aidan O’Brien trained Gentile Belliniwho hasn’t been seen since winning a maiden at the Curragh back in April. Handicap debut for the 3-year-old here and not hard to think he could be well handicapped off 88. That said a value alternative could be Ultra Pride. The 3-year-old won a 24-runner handicap at the Curragh in August off 8lb lower before finishing 3^rd of 11 at the same venue two weeks later. Goes well on soft ground and although he hasn’t run for 65-days he remains open to a bit more improvement and can remain competitive off his present mark.

Cork

3:20 – Yong Paddymc – 7/1 @Bet365 – The selectiondid well in novice company last season with form figures 212F. Looked to be going well in the lead when hampered by a loose horse and falling two out in a valuable Punchestown Festival handicap chase. First run since May but the 7-year-old has gone well fresh in the past and looks capable of landing a decent pot this season off his present mark. Let’s hope it’s today.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A win by Alternative Fact (7/1) meant a nice profit for the service on Friday. Today I have two selections from Ascot and one from Ayr.

Ascot

2:45 – Adjali – 11/2 @ William Hill – Won his first start for Nicky Henderson last season. The 4-year-old didn’t really improve much on his debut win, but he was racing mostly in Grade 1 company in subsequent races. Drops into handicap company here and the trainer did win this race in 2014. Any easing of the ground enhances his chance.

3:20 – Vinndication – 7/2 – Gen – The selection won two of his four start over fences and finished 3rd of 5 in Grade 1 behind Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation at Sandown in February. Not so good in the JLT at the Cheltenham festival but he’s better going this way around. Two from two on his previous starts here and is 2-2 when returning from a 121-day break. Yet to race beyond 2m 6f but shouldn’t have any stamina issues over 3m. Plenty to like about his chance.

Ayr

3:25 – Fanfan Du Seuil – 7/2 @ Paddy Power – Won a juvenile hurdle at Exeter last November and put in a career best when 5^th of 21 in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Ended last season when down the field in a Grade 1 at Aintree. The return to handicaps should suit the 4-year-old more. A reproduction of his Cheltenham performance would see him go close if fully tuned up for his first race since April.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Newmarket

1:40 – Minhaaj – 15/2 @ Ladbrokes & William Hill – The selection made a pleasing racecourse debut when finishing runner-up at York 21-days ago. The daughter of Invincible Spirit showed her inexperience in the early part of the race but finished it off strongly. Bred to be suited by the step up to 6f and it’s interesting that trainer William Haggas pitches the filly into Listed company for her second start.

2:15 – Alternative Fact – 15/2 @ Coral & Paddy Power – The selection’s win record isn’t the best just 1 win from 16 starts but he’s shaped on a few occasions this season like he’s capable of another win off his present mark.  None more so than when 3^rd of 12 to History Writer at Sandown back in June.  Was doing his best work at the finish when 9^th of 30 in the Cambridgeshire Handicap over a furlong shorter. Looks worth another go at 1m 2f.

Uttoxeter

2:40 – First Flow – 9/2 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – A useful Grade 2 in January 2018. The 7-year old was then sent off 12/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at that years Cheltenham Festival before pulling up. Just the one start last season when 5^th of 13 in the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March. Remains with potential on his debut over fences and could surprise some better fancied rivals in this beginners’ chase.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Kempton

6:10 – I Can – 7/1 @ Bet365 or 6/1 – Gen – The lightly raced four year-old has run well enough on both his last two start to think there’s a handicap in him off his present mark. Both runs have come over 7f and the step up to a mile should be in the selections favour.

8:10 – Field Of Dreams – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – All three of the selections career starts have been on the tapeta at Wolverhampton. Two down the field runs but the 3-year-old shaped with a lot more promise when 4^th off 11, when returning from a break ,15-days ago. Takes a big step up in distance here for his handicap debut. No certainty on pedigree to stay 1m 4f but if he does he won’t be far away for inform trainer Roger Charlton.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A nice double courtesy of Dusty’s Choice & Piece Of History keeps the profitable run going, although I was actually hoping for a treble. However, let’s not be too greedy.

There are no Tuesday selections.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Stoney Mountain showed plenty of heart to win at Aintree on Sunday to maintain the excellent run of form of the Henry Daly stable.

Today’s selections run at Kempton & Ayr.

Kempton

4:25 – Benny And The Jets – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has been beaten less than 2 lengths on his last two starts on turf. He was strong in the market (7/2) when a close-up 5^th to Shamshon at Leicester last month. That was only his eighth career start, so he remains capable of better.  A winner at Nottingham back in May this will only be his third start on the all-weather, won at Wolverhampton earlier in the year and wasn’t beaten far into third over 6f as a juvenile. Both career wins have come over 6f but as he’s shown on his last two starts 5f he’s effective over the minimum trip.

6:00 – Aquileo – 11/4 @ William Hill – The selection was sent off an unfancied 25/1 for his racecourse debut in what could have been a good novice at Newmarket 23-days ago.  Slowly away, he ran green nut made some headway to finish 4^th. The son of Gleneagles should be all the better for that run and able to win a maiden like this.

7:00 – Piece of History – 15/8 @ William Hill – The 4-year-old is plenty short enough in the betting for 13 runner handicap but his claims are there for all to see. Twelve months ago, he was running Auxerre to ¾ length, over C&D, off 2lb higher. The selection struggled on his first two start on turf this season but posted a better effort when unlucky in the run, over 7f, at Chelmsford last month. Drops two notches in class here, will be suited by the return to a mile and should go well from his inside draw.

Ayr

3:55 – Dusty’s Choice – 9/2 @ Paddy Power – Intriguingly Sean Bowen comes to Ayr for just the one ride. The selection is related to winning National Hunt horses who acted on rain softened ground. Trainer John Quinn is 1 winner from 4 runners 4 placed with his bumper runners in the past 2-years.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Saint Calvados’ splendid Cheltenham win meant we broke even on the day.

Aintree

12:40 – Green Dolphin – 15/2 @ William Hill – The selection ran out an easy winner of a Wincanton bumper on his second career start last March before finding listed company a bit too hot when 5^th of 8 at Newbury. Hi cause that day wasn’t helped by racing keenly.  The 5-year-old makes his hurdle debut here over 2m 4f and this sort of distance should suit him over the smaller obstacles, and he’s expected to go well on soft ground. Needs to settle better than we last saw him in action but when he does, he should make up in a decent novice hurdler.

2:25 – Stoney Mountain – 7/4 – Gen –  Won a C&D maiden hurdle here 12-months ago on good ground before going onto win a novice hurdle at Southwell on soft ground in December. Struggled in Graded company on his final three starts.  A good chance of a win on his handicap hurdle debut here and trainer Henry Daly has his horses in winning form in the past 14-days. The one to beat for owner Trevor Hemmings who likes a winner or two at Aintree.

A lovely horse who will be stepping up in trip in due course but will probably start at 2m. He’ll start low key but could make up into a nice novice on soft ground. –

Wincanton

2:10 – Kiltealy Bridge – 3/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – An Irish point winner in Spring 2018. The selection made his bumper debut for trainer Jamie Snowdon when 2^nd of 6 at Warwick last month. That run came over 2m and given his dam is a half sister to Grand National winner Ballabriggs he should be well suited to the step up to 2m 5 ½ f on his hurdles debut. Trainer is in red hot form 5 winners from 14 runners 36% + 4.38 in the past 14-days. Can win races over hurdles.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Cheltenham

3:10 – Saint Calvados – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – His best two RPR’s have come on soft ground so the rain has come at the right time for the 6-year-old. Returns from a 227-day absence today but goes well fresh 2-2, after a 121+day layoff since joining Harry Whittington. Has top weight of 11-12 to carry but he’s the class horse of the race and this is a drop-in class from his last run when 7^th of 9 to Altior in the Champion Chase. Slight concern that twice he’s struggled twice here but they were in Grade 1 company so he’s worth another chance on his first run since a wind-op.

4:55 – First Assignment – 5/1- Gen – The selection won to handicap hurdles here last Oct/Nov last year including on his seasonal reappearance at this meeting 12 months ago and is possibly best off a lay off.  The 6-year-old makes his chase debut and if he takes to fences looks set for a decent season. Could prefer further in time, stayed 3m over hurdles, but if stamina is at premium it will suit the 6-year-old.

Chelmsford

6:30 – Philamundo – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – I put the 4-year-old up when he ran here nine days ago. The return to a mile should be in his favour, both his career wins have come over C&D and he’s on a winnable mark if all the cards fall right. His price doesn’t scream value, but the trainer opts for the first time cheekpieces this evening, replacing usual blinkers. If the change in headgear has the desired effect, won first time in blinkers, this could be in chance back in Class 5 company.

Leopardstown

3:40 – Baladiya – 15/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The selection isone of the least exposed runners in this handicap. This will be only her 8^th career start. A winner of a maiden here over 6f back in May and won over this trip on her handicap debut at the Curragh in June. Not at that level on two subsequent starts but has been given a 70-day break and gets the first-time visor today. This is likely to be the softest ground she faced so far but she by Pivotal, so should handle it. Only 3lb higher than for her Curragh win and with Andrew Slattery taking off a useful 5lb, she’s worth chancing.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Southwell double yesterday meant Wednesday’s loss was wiped out.  Two selections today from Newbury & Doncaster.

Newbury

1:40 – Bright Eyed Eagle – Evens @ William Hill – Was a promising 2^nd of 11 to, this week’s comfortable Newmarket nursery winner, Convict on his racecourse debut 30-days ago. Will be all the better for that introduction to racing.  Granted heavy ground is an unknown but his dam’s best performances came on soft or heavy so there is encouragement that he will handle it. The one to beat if he does.  I would be looking for a minimum of evens but others maybe happy to take shorter.

Doncaster

4:10 – Teodora De Vega – 7/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill – The selection has winning form on heavy and last time bounced back to for to finish 2^nd of 10 at Ripon. Looks capable of winning off her present mark, although there are doubts about stamina for 1m 6f on pedigree. On the plus side trainer Ralph Beckett is 2 winners from 4 runners 50% +5.53 with his runners in the race in the past ten years.

Cheers

John