Author: John Burke

Hi all,

I’m going away for a seven-day holiday to recharge the batteries. I will be back a week on Friday. Before I go, I do have some selections for today.

Newcastle

4:05 – Bowerman – 15/8 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Won over C&D 59-days ago and the handicapper has put up the lightly raced 5-year-old 9lb for that win. This demands more from him, but he looks capable of defying it and remains the one they all have to beat.

Nottingham

4:15 – Motawaj – 6/4 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Improved with each start as a 2-year-old ending last season with a close-up third in a Doncaster maiden (good to soft). The son of Dubawi, out of mare who improved with age and racing has been gelded and shaped like a horse who could improve plenty in his second season. Handicap debut off a mark of 74 looks more than workable on his seasonal return.

Until next week

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Carlisle

4:30 – Viadera – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a 1m Curragh handicap, under top-weight, on her last start. She doesn’t need to improve on that running to win this. Drops back a furlong today but it’s a stiff track which should suit her.

Ffos Las

4:40 – Kings Monarch – 8/1 – Gen – The selection must prove his stamina for 3m, both wins in February/March came over shorter. The 6-year-old remains capable of better over fences and if his stamina holds looks on a competitive mark.

Kempton

8:50 – In Demand – 13/2 @Bet365 – The 4-year-old returned from a 235-day break and gelding operation to finish 4^th of 15 at Carlisle 15-days ago. The first time blinkers he wore that day have been replaced by the visor.  Has had just the six career starts and looks capable of bold show if the headgear has the desired effect.

Salisbury

3:50 – Wahash – 8/1 @ William Hill – The selection was beaten just a head by Power Of Darkness in this race last year and gets an 11lb pull in the weights. This year’s race looks more competitive but if all the cards fall right the 5-year-old is capable of winning.

4:20 – Great Example – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes –  I fancied the colt to go well at Royal Ascot last week, but he was pulled out due to the rain softened ground. The selection makes his handicap debut off what looks a competitive mark of 91. Won a maiden  over 1m 2f at Ripon last month but is bred to appreciate the step up to 1m 4f.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A welcome winner at Windsor on Monday evening and I have selections from Newbury & Beverley.

Newbury

8:15 – Keeper’s Choice – 13/2 @ William Hill & BetVictor – The selection is 1 win from 4 runs 2 placed here at Newbury. He returned from a 203-day break to finish 3rd of 15 here over a mile, 39-days ago. He should have come on for his seasonal reappearance and Osin Murphy whose won the horse in the past returns in the saddle here. The 5-year-old is 1lb higher than when winning at Sandown last September and looks capable of a good show.
Beverley

3:00 – Qawamees – 6/1 – Gen –  The 4-year-old has been shaping on his last two starts like he’s about to hit winning form. Two starts back he was 6th of 10 at Ripon. Held up at the back of the field he was still very in contention when not get a clear run on the inside two furlongs out. Last time the selection seemed to run just as well when a close 3rd at Chester 10-days ago. He didn’t seem to handle the twists and turns at Chester as well as some of his rivals that day and shaped like a step up in trip would also suit.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I am making my first visit to Southwell today. It’s a day out with the guys from Betting School including the likes of Darren Power, Carl Nicholson, Gary Boswell & Mark Foley.  There are some big fields entered at Southwell, but today’s selections come from Windsor & Wolverhampton.

Windsor

7:10 – Louie De Palma – 7/2 @ William Hill & BetVictor – The selection has been in great form on his return to action this season Winning at Ascot two starts back before running even better when finishing runner-up to Flavius Titus at Newmarket 16-days ago.  A previous C&D winner he has to give the 3-year-old Naughty Rascal, who ran here well over 5f three weeks ago, 14lb but I think he can do it.

7:40 – Fox Vardy – 10/3 @ Ladbrokes & Coral – Trainer Martyn Meade had a welcome winner at Royal Ascot with Advertise. The selection could well give the trainer another winner. The 3-year-old left his juvenile form well behind when 3^rd of 8 at Salisbury 13-days ago. The step up to 1m 4f suited that day and he makes his handicap debut off a workable mark of 77.

Wolverhampton

8:00 – Subliminal – 7/1 @ William Hill & BetVictor – The selection broke his maiden tag when winning at Lingfield back in March.  He wasn’t disgraced when 4^th of 10 on his first visit to Wolverhampton two starts back. Returned to Lingfield 4-days ago and in the returning blinkers. He was doing all his best work at the end of the mile that day and will appreciate the step back up in distance.  Decent draw in stall five and as long as he breaks better than he did last time and gets a decent pace to chase he won’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

In the middle of a poor run at present. Here’s hoping for better today.

Ayr

2:00 – Blue Mist – 15/8 @ Paddy Power – The selection has twice won over a mile. The 4-year-old was doing his best work at the finish when 6^th of 28 in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last month. Was well fancied for the Royal Hunt Cup but missed the cut. Is capable of winning off his present mark that for sure and the one they all have to beat.

Redcar

2:40 – Hajjam – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Won at this meeting 12 months ago and is now 3 wins from 3 runs +9.50 over C&D. The 5-year-old wasn’t disgraced when 9^th of 26 in the Victoria Cup on his last start. This looks more his sort of race and likely to go well.

4:20 – The Tin Man – 11/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – Won the Diamond Jubilee in 2017 and was shade unlucky in the run when beaten just over a length 12 months ago.  A three times winner at Group 1 level. The harder they go up front the better he goes.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Two selections from Royal Ascot today and two from elsewhere.

3:40 – Jash – 5/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill – Was runner-up to favourite Ten Sovereigns in last year’s Middle Park Stakes. He returned to action with a fairly, comfortable win over 7f at Newmarket last month. He was keen that day and that should have taken the freshness out of the colt.

4:20 – Jubiloso – 6/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral – Trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Unbeaten on both her two starts, the daughter of Shamardal showed a great turn of speed to easily win at Newbury last month. Open to any amount of improvement and she’s very much in the could be anything category.

Newmarket

5:40 – Takumi – 7/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selection impressed when winning on his handicap debut at Goodwood two starts back and just failed to follow up of 6lb higher at Ripon 33-days ago. The handicapper has nudged the 3-year-old up a further 4lb but he’s remains on the upgrade and go close here.

Godwood

6:55 – Laafy – 4/1 @ William Hill & BetVictor – The 3-year-old who had shaped with promise on both starts as a juvenile last year, made a winning seasonal reappearance at Leicester back in April. He was then made 2/1 favourite to follow up for his handicap debut at York. He ran well again to finish second there. Up 2lb but the he’s lightly raced and is open to a bit more improvement.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Our recent profitable run came crashing down to earth yesterday. Well I’m steering clear of the ultra-competitive Royal Ascot card on Thursday.

Chelmsford

2:55 – Masham Star – 6/1 @ William Hill & BetVictor – The selection is tough and consistent and normally can be relied upon to give his running. Has a good draw in stall one for a prominent racer and looks capable of going close off his present mark of 94, won here off 6lb higher back in September 2017.

4:45 – Isaam Queen – 7/1 @ Bet 365 or 5/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral – The filly won over C&D two starts back and showed she remains on a competitive mark when finishing a ½ length 2^nd 0f 6 at Ripon 32-days ago.  Races off the same mark as last time and shouldn’t be far away at the finish.

8:50 – Time For Mabel – 3/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The 8-year-pd won over C&D two starts back and then showed he remained in form when finishing a close up 3^rd of 13 over a furlong further 14-days ago. Looks capable of going in again while he remains in such good heart.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The decision to swerve Royal Ascot paid off on Tuesday as Oliver Hardy won at Brighton. Today I’m heading to Royal Ascot for two and Chelmsford for two.

Royal Ascot

3:40 – Magical – 7/4 – Gen –The selection has been well placed to win three starts this year, including the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on her last start.  The 4-year-old ended last season with a win in the fillies & Mares here on Champions Day before finishing runner-up to Enable in the Breeders Cup Turf.

4:20 – I Can Fly – 9/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Another possible winner for Aidan O’Brien. Straight track form is always useful at Ascot as we saw yesterday with Lord Glitters. The selection was beaten just a neck by Roaring Lion in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over C&D on Champions Day. Not at that level so far this season but if the going turns soft a big run can be expected.

Chelmsford

7:10 – Desert Fire – 3/1 @ William Hill or 11/4 @ Ladbrokes & Coral –  The selection won a handicap at Meydan back in January before two further solid placed efforts. The 4-year-old made an encouraging all-weather debut when 4^th of 14 at Newcastle 61-days ago. Drops back to 1m 2f here and gets the first time cheekpieces.

8:40 – Highgarden – 11/4 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The selection showed a good battling attitude to win a Group 3 at Newmarket back in September. This is the filly’s seasonal reappearance and she drops into Class 2 handicap company here. The daughter of Nathaniel makes her all weather debut, but trainer John Gosden is an is an impressive 10 winners from 25 runners 40% +17.88 A/E 1.59 16 placed 64% with his runners in 3yo+ handicaps at the track.  Despite top-weight and a lack of race fitness I think the 4-year-old can win this.

Cheers

John

Morning all,

Conrad Hastings given a confident ride by Rachel Blackmore gave the service a 7/1, 10/1 if you were on advised early prices, winner at Kilbeggan on Monday evening.

It’s the start of Royal Ascot today. I was intending to just tip at Royal Ascot this week but I have been tempted in by two at the lesser meetings.

Brighton

7:50 – Oliver Hardy – 3/1 @ BetVictor or 11/4 – Gen – The 3-year-old was strong at the line when winning here 15-days ago. Up 3lb for that and up a furlong on distance, which should suit on the evidence of his last start. He looks to have a good chance of following up. Rain would be an unknown as that last win was gained on good to firm.

Thirsk

5:45 – Shepherd’s Purse – 3/1 – Gen – The selection is on a long losing run but looks to be knocking on the door. The 7-year-old was beaten just a head at Pontefract 8-days ago, that was a Class 5 handicap and he races in Class 6 company today. Similar going as at Pontefract so can go close if all the cards fall right.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Carlisle

3:30 – Beverley Bullet – 9/2 @ Paddy Power – The selection is 3 wins from 3 runs at Carlisle and all his career wins have come on good to soft or worse. Showed his well being for this when 4^th of 14 at York on Friday. Provided there’s juice in the ground and this race doesn’t come to quick he’s got a good chance returned to a track that suits.

Kilbeggan

8:30 – Conrad Hastings – 10/1 @ Bet365 – Returns to a tack where he’s 1 win from 2 runs 2 placed. The selection ticks the boxes marked course & distance and going. The 8-year-old returns from a 281-day break but should be straight enough as he’s run well when fresh in the past and trainer Henry De Bromhead has his runners in winning form.

Cheers

John