Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Today I have one selection running at York and two this evening at Newmarket.

York

4:05 – Soldier’s Call – 15/8 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A fast juvenile who did well last season winning the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster. Then finished a close up third to Mabs Cross in the Abbaye at Longchamp. Must give weight all-round today but if he’s trained on from two to three, he should be able to so.

Newmarket

8:05 – Sezim – 4/1 @ Bet365 & BetVictor – Showed plenty of promise on three starts as a juvenile last season. Has been gelded over the winter and makes his handicap debut of what looks a workable mark of 77. Should be suited by the step up to 1m 2f and can go close for the inform Roger Varian stable.

8:35 – Migration – 13/8 @ Ladbrokes & William Hill –  Went into plenty of notebooks when a strong finishing second in the Esher Cup at Sandown 20-days ago. Up 4lb for that last effort but on an upward curve and will surely win a handicap of his present mark. Has top-weight of 10-0 to carry today but he’s dropping two notches in class here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The trebles of last week already seem a distant memory. Today’s one selection runs at York’s Dante Festival.

York

3:35 –Sparkle Roll – 11/4 @ William Hill – John Gosden looks to have a very decent bunch of 3-year-old fillies this year. He saddles two her Entitle and likely favourite Sparkle Roll.  The daughter of Kingman has done well from two to three and looked good when winning a Sandown novice 19-days ago. Up in class here but there should be more improvement to come from her. Looked a shade uneasy on the ground at Sandown so probably wouldn’t want the going to be too quick here. Apart from that slight negative she’s got a great chance of landing this race.  I have mentioned the trainer’s record here earlier but it’s also worth noting his record in non-handicap races in May over 1m 2 ½ f & 1m 4f – 7 winners from 14 runners 50% +13.04 9 placed 64%.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay this morning. I have been struggling to find solid betting opportunities but hopefully I have found one. Today’s one and only selection runs at Southwell this evening.

Southwell

6:40 – Ballyvic Boru – 15/8 @ Coral & Paddy Power – The 7-year-old wasn’t disgraced on his second run back from a long absence at Perth 19-days ago. The drop back from 2m 4f looks the way to go. Bearing in mind all his career wins have come at 2m 1f or shorter – 4 wins from 9 runs + 7.49 6 placed (0 wins from 4 runs 1 placed over further). He also has his ground 3 wins from 8 runs + 7.20 4 placed on good or good to firm going. There been a money around for him this morning and he’s now displaced the forecast favourite, Ashoka, trained by Dan Skelton, at the head of the betting. Trainer Brian Ellison is 3 winners from 7 runners 43% +15.63 with his handicappers in the past 14-days, which is another positive,

Cheers

John

Hi all,

All three of today’s selections come from Ludlow.

Ludlow

3:05 – The Welsh Paddies – 5/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The 7-year-old made it 3 wins from 9 runs over hurdles when winning at Stratford two starts back. Before finishing third to Tobefair at Cheltenham 25-days ago. The selection makes his debut over fences in this novices’ handicap chase. Interesting he come here for his chase debut as his trainer Kerry Lee is 3 winners from 3 runners 100% +12 with her runners here in novice handicap chases. I think he can make a winning debut over the larger obstacles.

3:40 – Court Royale – 10/3 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The selection made it 3 wins from 9 runs over hurdles when battling on well to win over C&D 41-days ago. That win was the 6-year-old’s second C&D win and his third win on good ground. The handicapper has raised him 5lb for that last win but there’s every chance he can progress to defy his career high mark.

4:15 – Hatcher – 11/8 @ Bet365 & William Hill – Made it 2 wins from 2 runs over fences when making all to win at Southwell 33-days ago. Seven of his eight wins have come on good or quicker ground and he’s also 6 wins from 6 runs in field sizes 7 or less. The 6-year-old jumping has been good in the main and although his jumping will be tested more in this better class of race, I think he can make it 3 from 3 over the larger obstacles.

I’m taking a day off tomorrow but will be back on Tuesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another 3 wins from 3 bets yesterday! I tend to find Saturday’s the toughest of days punting wise as there are so many possible races to go at. Today, I have selections from Ascot & Lingfield for you.

Ascot

4:35 – Praxeology – 7/4 @ Bet365 & BetVictor – The Mark Johnston trained juvenile just failed to make a winning racecourse debut at Chelmsford 9-days ago. The son of Dark Angel can hopefully put his experience to good use against six rivals who are all making their debuts.

Lingfield

1:55 – Frankellina – 5/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes –  The daughter of Frankel impressed when making winning Yarmouth novice race on her juvenile debut back in October. This Oaks entry steps into Listed company today and up 3f distance for her seasonal return. Trainer William Haggas is 2 wins from 4 runners in the race in the past ten years so know what type of filly is needed to win this Oaks trial.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Sadly, the rain didn’t stay away from Chester on Thursday. In fact, more fell then had been expected. In the circumstances it was a good effort from Kew Gardens who will come on for this run and looks set for a good season.

A busy day with three selections from around the country.

Market Rasen

2:10 – Van Gogh Du Granit – 9/2 @ Bet365 & William Hill – The 10-year-old a winner over fences when trained in France. He made a decent start to his career with David Pipe when 3^rd of 5 at Taunton. Seemed to enjoy the sounder surface when runner-up to stablemate Rathlin Rose in a veteran’s chase at Ascot on his next start over todays’ 3m trip. Ran as well could be expected when (66/1) predictably outclassed and outstayed in the Scottish Grand National. Just 2lb higher than at Ascot and reproduction of that effort gives him a good chance here. Trainer David Pipe has his horses in good form with 6 winners from 18 runners 33% +8.71.

Ascot

4:20 – Aweedram – 5/1 @ Bet365 & William Hill –  The selection shaped with promise on his three runs in novice/maiden company as a juvenile. Left that form behind on his handicap debut when staying on well to win at Newmarket 23-days ago. Up 7lb but the form looked decent for the grade and the runner-up has subsequently gone onto win at Doncaster. Need to improve further but this is only his 5^th career start so can do so.

Wolverhampton

8:10 – Capofaro – 11/4 @ Bet365 & William Hill – The 3-year-old hasn’t looked back since winning on his 4^th start at Kempton back in March. Form figures since going handicapping are 211. Those two wins came at Lingfield & Southwell.  The latter win 8 days ago means the gelding carries a 6lb penalty here, but he remains a horse on the upgrade. Different surface and if he handles the tapeta has a good chance of the hat trick.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Between the final two furlongs it was looking good for Artistic Rifles, but he was just worried out of it and had to settle for a one length third at the finish. The winning run of six is now over.

The potential for rain and lots of it makes Chester a tough card to negotiate. There are also three Summer jumps cards that could be affected by rain. A tricky day’s punting until you know how much rain has fallen or not.

Chester

4:05 – Future Investment –  5/1 @ William Hill & Bet365 – The selection made an encouraging racecourse debut when 3^rd of 16 to the useful Telecaster on his racecourse debut at Windsor 23-days ago. With normal improvement he should be capable of landing a maiden/novice in the coming weeks. The going is a bit of an unknown, but his full sister Mountain Bell won on soft ground at Windsor and here at Chester. May end up being better over slightly further but has a better draw in 3 than main rival Mons Star who also needs respecting after his promising 4th of 9 on his racecourse debut at the Craven Meeting.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

What a difference, a couple days can make 1 winner from 12 bets, then 6 wins from 6 bets over the weekend. Can we make it a magnificent seven not out today?

The quality of racing today could be better, and, in all truth, I was very close to sitting out today.

Wetherby

4:25 – Artistic Rifles – 9/2 @ Ladbrokes or 4/1 @William Hill & Bet365 –  The selection was in winning form when last seen in action winning a Catterick nursery 210-days ago. The 3-year-old starts the new season off 4lb higher than for his last win but looks the sort to progress in his second season. Can go close if stall 11 doesn’t prove an inconvenience. Trainer Charlie Hills had been among the winners- 4 winners from 15 runners 27% + 14.63 – in the past seven days.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It always nice when you can get three wins from three selections with Mab’s Cross the highlight at 6/1. It doesn’t happen often so it’s worth enjoying the moment for a while. I was tempted not to put up any selections today but the temptation to strike while in form is too difficult to resist.

Newmarket

4:50 – Maqsad – 15/8 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Shaped like a future winner when finishing runner-up on her racecourse debut in September before running below par when 4/9 at Yarmouth. Looked to have done well physically from two to three and produced a good performance to win a mile maiden at the Craven Meeting. The selection showed a good battling attitude that day and the first two pulled well clear of the rest of the field. Bred to appreciate today’s extra two furlongs and clearly handles the track. Looks the one they all have to beat.

5:20 – Nayef Road – 9/4 @ Ladbrokes & Coral – The selection won twice as a juvenile, including a nursery over 7f on the July Course, and ended his 2-year-old season with a close-up third in a C&D nursery.  Now 3lb higher the colt remains on a competitive mark and holds a Dante entry.  Looks the sort do better at three and despite making his seasonal reappearance can go close. His trainer Mark Johnston also saddles recent Beverley winner Fraser Island who also needs respecting with race fitness on his side.

Hamilton

2:35 – Rare Groove – 11/4 @ Bet365 & William Hill – The 4-year-old won two of his six starts as a 3-year-old, with one of those wins coming here at Hamilton. Returned to action with an excellent 3^rd of 11 at Leicester 30-days ago. Steps up an extra furlong in distance today but should be able to handle it. Trainer Jedd O’Keeffe has his horses in great form having had 4 winners from 13 runners 31% +9.50 in the past 14-days.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Newmarket

2:20 – Mabs Cross – 11/2 @ Bet365 & William Hill – Last year’s winner, has to give weight to all her rivals here but she’s a proven Group 1 sprinter having been touched off in the Nunthorpe at York before going on to win the Abbaye at Longchamp on final start of 2018. The 5-year-old could be set for an even better season in 2019 and should get the fast pace she needs.

4:45 – UAE Jewel – 11/10 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The selection impressed when winning the Wood Ditton at the Craven Meeting. Finishing his race off strongly over a mile, the son of Dubawi is open to plenty of further improvement and should be well suited by the extra two furlongs of this race.

Punchestown

4:25 – Fusil Raffles – 15/8 @ Bet365 & William Hill – A winner when trained in France. Made a winning debut for Nicky Henderson when winning the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton 70-days ago. Was then forced to miss the Triumph Hurdle due to an injury. Lacks the experience of his rivals by the 4-year-old remains the one horse open to further improvement in the sphere. His trainer has won this race three times in the past, the last time in 2011 and looks to have another good chance with the selection.

Cheers

John