Author: John Burke

Friday Selections – March 24th 2023

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Musselburgh and Newbury.

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Musselburgh

3:00 – Crossing The Bar – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Top weight Crossing The Bar produced the best change of gear in a steadily run race when beating four rivals at Plumpton last month. He’s been nudged up 3lb for his latest success but is one to seriously consider.

Newbury

3:40 – Five Star Getaway – 11/4 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – The selection shaped like a return to further was needed when a 10 length 2nd of 7 at Newcastle (2m 4f) last month. The first time cheekpieces he wore last time are retained and he’s 4lb below his last winning mark.

Cheers

John

Thursday Selections – March 23rd 2023

Hi all,

After a day without selections, I’m back with a couple of picks from Ludlow and Chepstow.

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Ludlow

5:20 – Duke Of Moravia -7/2 – Gen – The 5-year-old has placed on two of his three starts over hurdles and was doing his best work at the finish when a 10 length 3rd of 14 on handicap debut at Warwick in December. He looks a staying chaser in the making and today’s extra 2f should suit with Harry Cobden booked.

Chepstow

3:10 – Achille – 13/2 @ Bet365 – Time may have caught up with the 13-year-old who hasn’t won for almost four years. However, he does have the back form to win this off. Nothing to recommend him on his four starts this season but he’s dropped to a tempting handicap mark with the reapplied blinkers replacing the cheekpieces.

Cheers

John

Monday Selections – March 20th 2023

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Taunton and Southwell.

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Taunton

2:45 – Kentford Mallard – 6/1 @ Bet365 – A winner at Southwell last June the 10-year-old was back to form when a staying on 3 ½ length 2nd of 11 over C&D 27-days ago.  Nudged up 1lb but seems to be getting close to winning form. Her best form has come on good ground, she has one success on good to soft, so drying ground would be preferred.

Southwell

4:05 – Emily Wade – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Looked a modest hurdler before a much improved effort when a 2 ½ length 3rd of 7 here (2m) on handicap hurdle debut. Dropped 1lb since and the step up to 2n 4 ½ f should suit the mare.

Cheers

John

Friday Selections – March 17th 2023

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.

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Cheltenham

1:30 – Gala Marceau – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Lossiemouth looked unlucky not to make it 4-4 when a 2 ½ length 2nd of 8 to her stablemate Gala Marceau in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival.  Despite being keen the Gala Marceau saw the race out very well though but it’s no surprise to connections apply the first time hood. Lossiemouth could easily return to winning ways but I wouldn’t underestimate the selection.

3:30 – Minella Indo – 16/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – if he stays the extended 3m 2f Galopin Des Champs will take the beating. However, I’m going to take a swing at one at big odds in the Gold Cup. The selection won this in 2020 and finished runner-up to A Plus Tard 12 months ago. He’s had a better preparation than his stablemate and he battled on well to beat Stattler in a Grade 3 at Thurles (2m 6f) last time. Albeit he was receiving 8lb from the runner-up that day. His Cheltenham Festival form figures are 1212 and even at ten should give his running.

4:50 – Impervious – 2/1 @ Bet365 – Made it 3-3 over fences when beating the boys in a Grade 3 novice chase at Punchestown last time. A smart novice chaser, you could argue her form is as good as favourite Allegorie De Vassy’s and she’s the pick.

Cheers

John

Thursday Selections – March 16th 2023

Hi all,

Two selections from the Cheltenham Festival.

Read more: Thursday Selections – March 16th 2023

Cheltenham

1:30 – Appreciate It – 100/30 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The 2021 Supreme Hurdle winner won his first two starts over fences, before finishing a 10 length 3rd of 8 to El Fabiolo in Irish Arkle Novices’ Chase. Shaped last time like the step up to 2m 4f would suit and easing of the ground is no negative to his chance.

4:50 – Magical Zoe – 10/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – There wouldn’t be a more heart-warming winner than the Henry De Bromhead trained mare Magical Zoe. I was taken with her performance in winning a Grade 3 mares novice hurdle at Down Royal in November. We haven’t seen her since that win, but she’s won fresh and this will have been the plan.

Cheers

John