Author: John Burke

Hi all,

A decent looking card at Newbury on Friday.

Newbury

4:00 – Air Navigator – 9/2 @ Coral & William Hill – The selection won his chase debut at Ffos Las back in November. Before disappointing on heavy at Exeter on his next start. Back to form when runner-up at Wincanton two starts back. Had just gone into the lead when falling two out here 20-days ago. Back into handicap company will suit as should the step up to 2m 7 ½ f. If the 8-year-old’s confidence hasn’t been affected by his last mishap he can go close.

4:30 – Maquisard – 6/1 @ Coral & William Hill –  The was in the process of running a good race when hampered and unseating his rider three out over C&D 20-days ago. The 7-year-old looks capable of winning off his present mark, based on his on his recent placed efforts at Kempton and Sandown, if he handles the step up to Class 2 company.

5:05 – Green Dolphin – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Built on the promise of Warwick racecourse debut, when bolting up at Wincanton 15-days ago. He still looked green when asked for his effort coming into the turn and they way he finished off his race suggests Newbury’s more galloping track will suit the selection even more. Plenty of more improvement can be expected from the 5-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another day where solid betting opportunities are at a premium. But hopefully I have found a couple.

Sedgefield

3:45 – I’m To Blame – 6/5 @ Paddy Power & William Hill – Made it 3 wins from 3 runs, at Sedgefield, including 2 from 2 over C&D when making all for a comfortable 8 length win 28-days ago. Up 9lb but the 6-year-old looks more than capable of following up and completing the hat trick.

Chepstow

4:00 – The Lion Dancer – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Returns from a 340-day absence. The 7-year-old ended end last season winning his last three starts over fences, between March & May. Up just 4lb for the last of those wins at Ffos Las. Fitness has to be taken on trust, but the selection remains on a competitive mark if returning in the same form. Trainer Charlie Mann is 3 wins from 11 27% in the past 14-days which is a positive.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Well I had a good day at Huntingdon yesterday. My first visit to the track and I was impressed with the small but knowledgeable crowd in attendance.

Having looked at today’s cards. I am happy to sit this one out.

There are no selections today.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another Venture, landed some nice bets when winning at Plumpton on Monday. In the first time visor, he jumped well out in front throughout the race, until almost blundering away his chance two out. For a few strides, the jockey briefly lost his irons and that gave the eventual runner-up a a sniff of a chance. However, despite that sole mistake he managed to hold on for a near four length victory at the finish.

Having had a look at today’s racing. I can’t find any solid betting opportunities.

See you tomorrow.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Westerner Point held onto win the veterans chase at Wexford yesterday at a generous 5/1.

Plumpton

3:25 – Another Venture – 4/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes- Ran his best race of the season so fare when 5^th of 15 in the Devon National at Exeter last month. The selection was bang there to three out before weakening out of contention. Drop back to 3m 1 ½ f could be what he needs. Both last seasons chase wins came around 3m & 3m 1f. Well suited to soft or heavy ground, with all three career wins coming on such going. Visor replaces the cheekpieces and if the change if headgear works, he’s’ dropped back to last seasons winning mark.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Well we have already seen Ffos Las lost to the weather and Carlisle has a morning inspection to see if racing can take place there on Sunday.

It looks like Ireland offers the best chance of some decent racing action. I have selections from both Wexford and Limerick.

Wexford

4:00 – Westerner Point – 11/4 @ William Hill & Coral –  Is the reliable option. The 10-year-old put in a career best over fences when winning a valuable handicap chase at Limerick over Christmas. He’s now eligible for Veterans Chases. Up 7lb for his last win but he’s in the form of his life and could well be able to defy his rise in the ratings in this race. The 80-day lay off shouldn’t be a problem as the selection is 3 wins from 6 runs 4 placed when returning form 60+ day lay off. His form figures here at Wexford are 211, in March 11121 and 1111 on soft or soft to heavy going.  A solid win contender.

Limerick

4:15 – Redhotfillypeppers – 15/8 @ Paddy Power – The mare made a good start to her career over fences when here over Christmas. A useful novice hurdler the 7-year-old is at her best on rain softened ground. She jumped well on her chase debut and she should be suited by the step up to 2m 6 ½ f, won at 2m 6f over hurdles. I fancy her jumping could make all difference in her likely battle with favourite Missy Tata.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Well after a good Thursday, Friday was a major disappointment Presenting Percy was never travelling in the Gold Cup and then Potters Midnight made a hash of the last at Fakenham when in the lead. That’s the ups and down of the racing game for you.

Kempton

3:15 – Brother Tedd – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Is 3 from 4 at Kempton over hurdles. This is his first run over fences at the track. The 10-year-old hasn’t been the easiest to keep sound as he was off the track for 600-days prior to running second at Ludlow 38-days ago. Showed he retains plenty of his old ability. Further rain wouldn’t be welcome as his best form has come on ground no worse than good to soft. If the rain stays away, he can go close.

Uttoxeter

2:25 – De Rasher Counter – 10/3 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Won over fences at the 4^th attempt, two starts back, when beating subsequent winner Walt at Newbury. Followed that up with a second placed effort behind Now McGinty at Chepstow, with today’s market rival Captain Cattistock, 7 lengths back in third. That one has since gone on to win at Exeter. There shouldn’t be much between the pair today. The selection handles heavy ground and missed Cheltenham for this race.

Wolverhampton

5:40 – Big Bad Lol – 8/1 – Gen – The 5-year-old has gone 12 runs since winning over C&D back in December 2017. Has run well enough in defeat since and his two best Racing Post Ratings came here in January. Ran better than his final position suggests at Lingfield last time and if all the cards fall right, he’s capable of winning for his inform trainer.

6:45 – Paradise Boy – 5/1 @ Paddy Power – A competitive looking Class 5 handicap, despite just the six runners. The selection built on the promise of his racecourse debut when winning at Lingfield two starts back. Almost won again, under a penalty, here when dropped back in trip, 23-days ago. Back to his winning distance for his handicap debut and could get an easy lead here. Trainer Andrew Balding is 5 from 10 in the past 14-days.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

An excellent Thursday with Defi Du Seuil & Siruh Du Lac giving the service 2 winners from 2 runners. The latter put in an excellent jumping performance and found plenty to hold of his rivals.

Onto Friday and I have one selection from Cheltenham and one from Fakenham.

Cheltenham

3:30 – Presenting Percy – 4/1 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Has had a very unorthodox preparation for the race just the one run, due to the quick ground over in Ireland, when winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park 50-days ago. Hasn’t jumped a fence since running out an impressive winner in last years RSA Novices’ Chase. He also won the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle here in 2017. He likes the track 2 wins from 2 run and and is 4 wins from 5 runs on soft ground.  Needs to improve to win this but has the potential to be a high-class chaser.

Fakenham

3:55 – Potters Midnight – 3/1 @ Ladbrokes & William Hill – Won this race last year off 10lb lower and is 2 wins from 5 runs around here. The mare returned from a 230-day break to win at Lingfield back in January and followed that up with a good 3^rd at Market Rasen 26-days ago. Seems effective on good ground through to heavy and must be respected returned to Fakenham.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A win for Envoi Allen and couple of close-up placed efforts by Delta Work & Dancing Jo, with the latter getting going to late at Kempton.

Due to a lack of solid betting opportunities both today’s selections come from Cheltenham.

Cheltenham

1:30 – Defi Du Seuil – 10/3 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Ticks most of the key boxes. He’s 2 wins from 5 runs on the going, he’s now 2 wins from 4 over the distance and 4 wins from 6 here at Cheltenham. The selection is a solid jumper and if jockey Barry Geraghty can produce him at the right time, as he did last time at Sandown, I think he can win this.

4:10 – Siruh Du Lac – 13/2 – Gen – The 6-year-old has impressed with his jumping since going chasing.  Most notably when battling on really well to beat one of today’s rivals Janika  by a head over C&D at the Trials Meeting. Up 7lb there shouldn’t be much between the pair again but at the prices I prefer the selection.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A disappointing Tuesday with Buveur D’Air falling and OK Corral being hampered and never really travelling after. I have three selections for you on Wednesday.

Cheltenham

2:10 – Delta Work – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Ticks plenty of boxes. The 6-year-old has won all three of his starts over fences and two starts back had the pace beat Le Richebourg at Fairyhouse over 2m 4f. Stepped up to 3m to win the Grade 1 novices’ chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. No issues with the track for him either as he won the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle on soft ground at last years festival.  It will take a good one to lower his colours. Trainer Gordon Elliott will be keen to get a winner under his belt after a blank first day.

5:30 – Envoi Allen – 4/1 @ Paddy Power or 7/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Like Delta Work trained by Gordon Elliott. The 5-year-old set the standard on form and he’s won all his three bumper starts. He’s not been flashy in his wins but he’s a tough sort and is the one they all must beat. Blue Sari, the ante post favourite, after his win at Gowran Park and subsequent purchased by J P McManus. However, he looks to be priced up on reputation and connections rather than what he’s achieved on the track compared to Envoi Allen.

Kempton

6:45 – Dancing Jo – 5/1 @ Bet365 – A previous winner here, made it 2 wins from 5 runs on the all-weather when winning at Lingfield 61-days ago. He seemed well suited by the mile there and the handicapper has only raised him 2lb for the win. Not sure why he’s been absent but at least we know the 3-year-old can win fresh like he did last time.

Cheers

John