Author: John Burke

Hi all,

The racing isn’t great today, but I have couple of selections from Chelmsford and Ludlow.

Chelmsford

4:45 – Agent Basterfield – 9/2 – Gen – The 3-year-old improved with each of his three starts as a juvenile over 7f & 1m. Steps up to a 1m 2f for his handicap debut today and the new distance can bring out further progress in the son of Raven’s Pass.

Ludlow

4:25 – Mabela – 10/3 – Gen – The mare made a winning handicap debut at Huntingdon 19-days ago. The step up to 2m 4 ½ f clearly helped her. Only won by a neck but the margin of her victory underestimates here. The handicapper has raised her 5lb for that narrow win which looks fair as she remains open to further improvement.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Saturday can be a right minefield to negotiate so I am not disappointed that I gave yesterday a swerve.

I have a couple of selections for you on Sunday.

Ascot

3:55 – Highway One O One – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection could well get an uncontested lead here and if he does the 7-year-old could be hard to peg back. Looks more than capable of winning a handicap chase like this on his second placed effort at Cheltenham two starts. His trainer Chris Gordon is 3 winners from 7 runners 37% in the past 14-days which has to be considered another positive.

Doncaster

3:45 – Willie John – 11/8 @ William Hill & Coral – The 4-year-oldwon his sole start as a juvenile for William Haggas before a 1,900,000gns switch to the Roger Varian stable. Not seen out until August when winning a novice here over 1m 2f. Looked a potential Group horse that day. Last of seven when last seen in action in a Group 3 at Longchamp back in September. He’s surely better than that form and can make up for lost time as a 4-year-old. Trainer Roger Varian had a winner on Saturday and is 5 winners from 9 runners 55% with his runners at this meeting since 2014. Slight query about 1m 4f on pedigree but if he stays, he should win.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another winner on Friday.

There are no selections today on what looks a trappy days racing.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A good win for King of Realms at Warwick on Thursday.

Lingfield

3:35 – El Ghazwani – 2/1  – Gen –  A winner over C&D three starts back. The 4-year-old wasn’t disgraced when 8^th of 13 at Kempton when last seen on the track. The return to C&D and a first time tongue tie can help him back into the winners enclosure.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Not great yesterday.

I have the one selection today running at Warwick.

Warwick

2:45 – King Of Realms – 9/4 – Gen – The selection made a winning start at Ascot on his chase debut back in November before disappointing, albeit, in Grade 2 at Doncaster on his next start. Step back in the right direction but probably had an easier opportunity at Exeter 67-days ago,  The addition of the first time visor looks a good move.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Market Rasen

4:50 – Sigurd –9/2 @ Bet365 –  Not the most consistent of horses but capable of landing this if in the right mood. Sole career win came here on April 2017. Ran really, well when 2^nd of 17 ay Wetherby 36-days ago off a 1lb lower. Has since had a wind -op and gets the first time cheekpieces.

Kempton

7:30 – Crystal Casque – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The four-year-old was in good form in the autumn with two placed efforts here over a furlong shorter. Off 137-day but if she’s fully tuned up looks capable of another good run.

8:00 – Corazon Espinado – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes-  Should be all the fitter for his last run when 5^th of 10 over C&D 16-day ago and can race off 2lb lower here. Looks set to go well.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another day where finding solid betting opportunities are in short supply.

Hereford

2:00 – Lamh Ar Lamh –11/4 – Gen –Is a mare in form having won at Taunton 7-days ago. Drops back in distance today and the ground is much quicker, has form on good, but she races off the same mark as last week and has a good chance of following up in a similar race. Trainer Nigel Hawke has a great record with last time out winners following up on their next start 24 winners from 78 runners 31% +29.53 A/E 1.41 41 placed 53%, including 5 winners from 9 runners 56% +6.86 A/E 1.49 7 placed 78% with those running within 7-days.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Having had a look at today’s racing. I can’t find much in the way that interests me. It really is typical moderate Monday racing fare.

Hopefully more opportunities will present themselves as the week progresses.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Downpatrick

2:45 – Slippery Serpent – 3/1 @ Paddy Power or 11/4 @William Hill & Bet365 – The selection is 2 from 2 here, having won a bumper and maiden hurdle back in September 2017. A winner of a Punchestown handicap hurdle back in October. The 8-year-old then finished a good 3^rd at Naas a month later. Pulled up at Leopardstown over Christmas. He returns here for his start since that disappointing effort. Fitness has to be taken on a bit of trust but he did win off an even longer lay off on the flat last year.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A disappointing day on Friday.

Kempton

5:25 – Derry Boy – 4/1 @ Bet365 – The selection is a five-run maiden but has been running consistently well in novice races. His best two starts on Racing Post Ratings have come over C&D, including when runner-up 14-days ago.

8:00 – Treacherous –11/4 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Did us a favour when winning over C&D two weeks ago. He’s only been put up 2lb for that win. The selection needs a good strong pace to chase and if he gets it, must have a good chance of following up here.

Newbury

3:50 – Gala Ball – 9/4 – Gen – Previous eyecatcher Gala Ball, came up against the well-handicapped San Benedeto, over C&D three weeks ago. This race does look easier and he has a favourites chance in the hands of Richard Johnson.

Cheers

John