Author: John Burke

Hi all.

No luck on Thursday but two of our selections ran well enough and there was one non-runner.

Musselburgh

3:25 – Everything For You – 2/1 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Ran well enough on his seasonal return over 1m 2f, when beaten just 1 ½ lengths into third at Ripon. The 5-year-old still must prove that he stays 1m 4f but his Ripon run was his first since a wind-op and if he is to stay the distance it will be at a sharp track like Musselburgh. Looks a big contender off the same mark as 15-days ago.

Chepstow

3:50 – Eye Of The Water – 3/1 @ Bet365 or 11/4 – Gen – The 3-year-old has been running with credit on the all-weather of late and put in a career best when runner up at Kempton 23-days ago, off 4lb lower. Won on the turf at Ffos Las as a juvenile so the return to surface shouldn’t be an issue. Looks to have a big chance if in the same form as last time.

Punchestown

4:55 – Ask Susan – 3/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes –  The selection made a highly encouraging debut for Willie Mullins when returning from a 212-day break to finish 6th of 16 in a valuable handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse, coming in for plenty of support that day. Back over fences today and looks competitively weighted off a mark of just 123.  The 7-year-old is the one to beat and shouldn’t have any issues with underfoot conditions although her best form has come on a sounder surface.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It’s always good to get a winner. Even more so given recent events, as Highly Sprung did the business for the service at a generous 4/1 yesterday.

Chelmsford

7:25 – Royal Intervention – 9/2 @ William Hill & Coral – The selection built on the promise of her juvenile racecourse debut when making all to win a Listed race on Newmarket’s July course last summer. Not as good when runner-up at Ascot in Group 3 back in July. This is her first run since Ascot. But she remains with potential and stall two is ideal for her to try to make another bold bid from the front.

Redcar

2:55 – Conundrum – 5/2 @ William Hill & Coral – Put up a career best when winning on his seasonal reappearance at Pontefract 17-days ago. The selection looked worth following on the back of that win, his first since a winter gelding operation.  Up 5lb but looks more than capable of following up here.

Salisbury

7:05 – Past Master – 5/2 @ Bet365 – Won last year at Goodwood and over C&D. Made all to win on the latter of those two wins and could well get an opportunity to do the same in this small field. The 6-year-old is 5lb higher than for his C&D win, but he’s only had nine career starts and could be capable of little bit more improvement this season.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hardly a great return on Tuesday. But we quickly on in this game as you are only as good or bad as your last day and it’s the start of a new month.

Ascot

4:25 – Wadilsafa – 7/2 @ Bet365 or 10/3- Gen – Barney Roy returns from a failed stud career but he’s the back class to win this race comfortably. But you can’t tell how much of his old ability remains.  The safer option looks to be the selection. The 4-year-old has only had the five career starts but improved with each of his starts last season. Ending with a decisive win in a Salisbury listed race back in September. The colt has won three of his 5 starts, two of them on good to firm and he’s also 3 wins from 3 wins over a mile. Once first time up last season and with his trainer having his horses in winning form he shouldn’t lack for fitness.

5:35 – Merchant Of Venice – 5/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – The 4-year-old only made his racecourse debut back in November but he made up for lost time on the all-weather over the winter. Unplaced on his first start over 6f the step up to a mile brought out a whole chunk of improvement in the selection as he went onto win his next three starts over the distance at Kempton & Newcastle. Arguably was unlucky not to make it four wins on the trot when finishing a length 3^th of 14 from a wide draw, back at Kempton 19-days ago. First run on turf today but if he can transfer his excellent synthetics form to the grass has a decent chance of going in again

Pontefract

4:45 – Highly Sprung – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – The selection wasn’t disgraced when 3^rd of 9 over an inadequate 5f here 16 days ago. The return to 6f is very much in his favour. He’s also well suited to good to firm going – 7 wins from 21 11 placed but 0 wins from 31 runs 7 placed on all other surfaces. The 6-year-old is also 3 wins from 8 runs over C&D. Ticking the all-important boxes marked course, distance & going.  With a record on good to firm, over 6f and in field sizes 8 or less being 6 wins from 10 runs +15.96 8 placed 80% and racing off a 5lb lower mark than his last win. You can see why I’m very sweet on his chances today. At the 3/1 available I will definitely be a player rather than a watcher.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I’m back from kidney surgery. Pain and soreness are still there so I’m coming back at a slow gentle pace. That said It’s great to be back. Not sure how I will feel if it’s a losing day though.

Three selections for today with one of them from the first day of the Punchestown Festival.

Chelmsford

6:55 – Field Gun – 5/2 @ Paddy Power or 2/1 -Gen – Just got his head in front when winning on his stable debut over C&D two starts back and put in a career best when dropping back to 6f at Lingfield 28-days ago. Both his wins have come at the track and he’s lightly raced for his age so remain open to a bit more progress.

Nottingham

3:35 – Black Lotus – 9/2 @ Coral & William Hill – Improved last season for going handicapping, winning two of he five starts. Both wins came with William Buick in the saddle 2 wins from 2 rides. Granted both wins came over 1m 2f so the drop back to a mile is a slight unknown and it’s her seasonal reappearance too on good to soft. The filly will be suited by drying ground that’s for sure and Buick’s booking has to be seen as a positive for the 4-year-old.

Punchestown

6:40 – Getabird – 4/1 @ Coral & William Hill –  Delta Work, who was third in the RSA and A Plus Tard who was arguably the most impressive winner at the Cheltenham Festival will be tough to beat but I’m taking a chance with Getabirdtrained by Willie Mullins. The 7-year-old missed both Cheltenham & Aintree and has just had the two starts this season so will be fresher than most. He won here on his seasonal reappearance, 3 from 5 at the track.  He then just got touched off in the new Grade 1 at Limerick on Boxing Day.  Just the two starts over fences so he’s open to further progress over the larger obstacles. First run for 125-days but he’s 3 wins from 3 runs when returning from a 121+ day layoff so fitness shouldn’t be a problem. Stamina for 3m must be taken on trust but he can win if he stays.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Plenty of good racing today. It’s Day 2 of the Craven Meeting at Newmarket for flat follower and for jumps fans there’s an excellent card at Cheltenham.

Newmarket

1:50 – Moyasser – 13/2 @Bet365 – A winner at Chelmsford on his third start as a juvenile. He ended his 2-year-old campaign with excellent efforts in valuable nursery’s at York & Nottingham. Up 6lb for that latter effort but he remains on a competitive mark and has had a wind-op over the winter.

4:45 – El Misk – 11/4 @ William Hill & Coral – The son of Dansili was on odds on for his debut at Newcastle 16-days ago. Despite being slow away and showing his inexperience when initially asked for his effort. He showed a decent turn of foot to win his race. Plenty of scope for more improvement from the colt and this Dante & Derby entry can win again despite carrying his 7lb penalty.

5:20 – Karnavaal – 4/1 @ William Hill & Coral – Plenty short enough in the betting at around 4/1. The son of Dubawi shaped with real promise when 4th of 14 here back in September before winning a Chelmsford novice race over 7f the following month. A win as a juvenile was a bonus as he’s bred to get 1m 2f as three-year-old and his sire’s progeny often improve for going 1m 2f+ in their second seasons. The colt has been given a handicap mark of 82 which looks more than workable.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I have two selections from Newmarket’s Craven Meeting and one from the evening fixture at Wolverhampton.

Newmarket

3:00 – Western Australia – 7/4 @ William Hill & Bet365 – A progressive juvenile who ended last season beaten just a length into 3rd in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity at Doncaster back in October. Beaten at odds on at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance but probably just needed the run. Extra furlong will suit. Probably not one of Aiden O’Brien’s top 3-year-old colts, may not need to be to win this, but he has the best form on offer.

3:35 – Angel’s Hideaway – 9/2 @ William Hill & Coral – The selection was trying to give 3lb to Mot Juste when the pair met in the Group 3, Oh So Sharp Stakes, back in October. It just depends who has wintered better, and which filly is the most forward today. I think selection can reverse form with the winner on this occasion. Trainer John Gosden won this race in 2016 & 2017.

Wolverhampton

5:45 – Ubla – 7/1 @ Bet365 – The 6-year-old twice a winner here, including over C&D, off 2lb lower, three starts back. Had to make his effort out wide when only beaten a length in to 5^th here 3-days ago. Remains in form and can go close again with a better passage.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

After Saturday, Sunday was a disappointment. The Sweeney ran well enough at Wincanton but the rain that fell at Tramore didn’t help Thats Mypresenting at all.

Pontefract

3:20 – Foolaad – 10/3 @ William Hill – Won the race last year off a 1lb lower mark and looks to have a good chance of winning it again. The selection showed his well being when winning at Doncaster 15-days ago. The quick ground is in his favour and this prominent racer is well drawn to go forward from stall 2.

5:20 – Foxtrot Knight – 9/4 @ William Hill & Bet365 – The 7-year-old made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when runner-up at Wolverhampton 13 days ago. A previous C&D winner. He’s also run plenty of other good races here in the past and has dropped to an attractive handicap, 8ib lower than when beaten a neck here last May.

Windsor

4:00 – Shifting Gold – 6/1 – Gen – Shaped with promise on his three starts as juvenile. On her final start she put in a career best when 4^th of 13 at Kempton. Makes he handicap debut here and should be suited by the step up to a mile. Looks on a fair opening mark off 65.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I will take back what I said about Saturday’s as the service bounced back with a nice double on Saturday courtesy of Dandu and Emirates Empire.

Wincanton

2:25 – The Sweeney – 5/1 @ William Hill & Coral – Won this race last year off 9lb lower. Has been running consistently without winning since that win and returned from a 98-day break and a wind-op to post a good effort when runner up at Market Rasen 11-days ago. Capable of going close again if in the same form as last time.

Tramore

4:30 – Thats Mypresenting – 10/3 @ Paddy Power – The 11-year-old returns from a 635-day break and to a track where he’s 2 wins from 6 runs 33% +14.50 3 placed 50%. The selection has won fresh in the past and the booking of Paul Townend suggests he will be fit enough to go well.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A couple of tough days at the office and Saturday’s can be tough due to the amount of racing on offer.

Newbury

1:40 – Young Rascal – 9/4 @ Bet365 – A gelding operation could be the making of Defoe and he gets 3lb from his nearest rival Young Rascal. The 5-year-old must have a great chance of winning this race for the second year running. Despite that I’m taking a chance with Young Rascal. The 4-year-old has the potential to be a Group 1 horse this season. He won four of his five starts last season. His only defeat came in the Epsom Derby. The colts record on soft ground is 1 win from 2 runs and he’s 2 wins from 2 on good to soft. A galloping track like Newbury really suits him as he’s 3 wins from 3 runs here.

2:10 – Dandu – 11/2 @ Coral & William Hill – Improved with each start as a juvenile. Ending last season with a 1 ¾ length second to Just Wonderful in a Group 2 at Newmarket in September. That’s some of the best form on offer here and if the daughter of Dandy Man has trained on, she can go close here.

2:40- Boitron – 4/1 @ William Hill – Trained by Richard Hannon raced on a sound surface on his four starts as a juvenile winning the first three of them, including over C&D, before finishing a close 4^th in a Group 1 at Longchamp on Arc Weekend. Seasonal reappearance here on softer ground but the trainer thinks he will handle it and on pedigree he could be right as the selections dam won on soft in France.

Wolverhampton

8:30 – Emirates Empire – 4/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Has improved with each of his three runs and the 3-year-old put in career best when beaten a head at Lingfield 31 days ago. The step up in trip to 1m 4f should also suit the Derby entry who can continue to improve with racing.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Ayr

2:20 – Deyrann De Carjec – 9/2 – Gen – Trained by Alan King who won last year’s renewal of this handicap hurdle. The 6-year-old is back in handicap company for the first time since falling two in the valuable Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham back in November. The selection was closing on the leaders that day and a reproduction of that performance would see him go close in this class. He’s suited by good ground and looks the one to beat here.

4:30 – Vivant – 4/1 – Gen – The selection has done really well since switching to Tom Lacey stable winning four of her six starts. Three of those wins came on good ground and one on good to soft. She’s 2 wins from 2 runs in blinkers and Richard Johnson whose 1311 on the mare is back in the saddle. Up 8lb for the last of those wins she looks capable of more improvement on a sound surface.

5:05 – My Way – 7/2 @ William Hill & Coral – Was a good second at Kempton 27-days ago and although he needs to settle better to stay 3m he shapes like he can improve for the step up in trip. His trainer Paul Nicholls won this race in 2014 and has a 24%-win strike rate at this meeting in the past 5-years, including 5 winners from 12 runners 42% +18.75 6 placed 50% with his hurdlers racing 2m 4f+.

Cheers

John