Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Kempton.

Kempton

6:30 – Dembe – 5/2 @ Bet365 – The selection hit form early in 2022 completing a four timer between Feb & April. Looked back to his best when a neck 2nd of 8 at Wolverhampton 16-days ago. Nudged up 1lb but looks sure to be thereabouts if getting a decent pace to chase.

8:00 – Dinoo – 6/4 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power –  Back to winning ways at Wolverhampton in November. The 5-year-old has subsequently run to that level of form on his last two starts including when a nose 2^nd of 7 at Lingfield 51-days ago. Off the same mark here and will be suited by the forecast strong pace.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Wolverhampton and Southwell.

Wolverhampton

1:40 – Cicely – 6/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – On just her second start for new trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy, the selection bounced back to form with a decisive success over C&D 19-days ago. That was the filly’s fourth C&D win and although she’s 5lb higher I think she can follow up here.

Southwell

6:45 – Falesia Beach – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Posted a career best when beating ten rivals over C&D 27-days ago.  Up 3lb for that success but remains on a competitive mark. The first time blinkers replace the cheekpieces and if they can eke out a bit more improvement then there’s  no reason why the filly can’t follow up here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Chepstow has been abandoned so today’s selections are from Southwell.

Southwell

5:30 – Primo – 4/1 @ Ladbrokes – A dual C&D winner whose latest success came here in November. Hampered at the start before finishing a running on 1 ¼ length 4th of 12 over C&D 33-days ago.  Capable of another bold run just 4lb above his last winning mark.

6:00 – Colors Of Freedom – 9/4 @ Bet365 – Made it 2-5 when winning over C&D 11-days ago. Going the right way and is up just 2lb for her latest success. The second & third from last time reoppose but I think the selection can beat those two again.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections from Hereford and Wolverhampton.

Hereford

2:40 – Jet Plane – 2/1 – Gen – A winning hurdler last year. The selection left his hurdling form behind and seemed to enjoy the step top 3m when successful over C&D two starts back. Never got into the race after an early mistake in the Lincolnshire National last time.

Wolverhampton

4:55 – Aljari – 11/4 @ Bet365 – A previous C&D winner but on a losing run that goes back to July 2020. Better on second start for new trainer when looking an unlucky 1 ¾ length 4th of 14 at Chelmsford 46-days ago. Not far away if in the same form as last time.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Punchestown and Kelso.

Punchestown

2:10 – Ha D’or – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Jumped well when making all to win on chase debut at Fairyhouse (2m 5f) 25-days ago. The slight drop in distance shouldn’t be an inconvenience and he looks a smart chasing prospect who can take this competitive Grade 3 novice chase.

Kelso

3:00 – Just Don’t Know – 5/2 – Gen –  Won twice in Jan/Feb last year and he’s finished runner-up on both this season’s starts including at Newcastle (2m 4f) 20-days ago. The return to 3m is a plus and if he gets an uncontested lead which seems likely he’ll be tough to peg back. Tom Scudamore comes up to ride two for the yard at Kelso and this one looks the main reason why.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Fairyhouse. Warwick and Wetherby.

Fairyhouse

1:37 – Corbetts Cross – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a Cork bumper in October. The 6-year-old got off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles when beating 14 rivals in a Limerick (2m 5f) maiden 17-days ago.  He should stay 3m and remains open to further improvement now going handicapping for the first time.

Warwick

2:25 – Ginny’s Destiny – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Could hardly have been more impressive when winning over C&D in November. The 7-year-old is open to further improvement in the sphere and looks capable of going close in this Grade 2 novice hurdle that his yard won in 2021.

Wetherby

2:32 – Iroko – 15/8 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Shaped with promise in hurdle company last season and got off the mark at fourth attempt when winning a handicap over C&D in November. Up 7lb for that success but also open to further improvement and taken to go in again.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Sedgefield and Dundalk.

Sedgefield

2:20 – Tom Creen – 15/8 @ Coral – Put in a good jumping display to win over C&D on chase debut two starts back. And the 8-year-old ran just as well on the figures when a 6 length 2^nd of 9 at Catterick 12-days ago. The extended 3m might just have stretched his stamina last time and better is expected back down in trip. 

2:50 – Sir Apollo – 9/4 @ Bet365 & Coral – The 8-year-old got off the mark at ninth attempt under rules when making all to win a handicap chase over C&D two starts back. He couldn’t dominate at Wetherby when only 6^th of 13 last time. Better expected here with first time tongue tie applied, returned to a C&D that suits.

Dundalk

7:30 – Phoenix Open – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Coral – A previous C&D winner was back to form when a 1 ¼ lengths 4th of 13 here (7f) last month. The return to a mile is a positive for the 7-year-old and he’s likely to be there or thereabouts from a handy low draw.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The two other runners I fancied have gone odds on. That leaves today’s sole selection from Newcastle

3:35 – Kraken Power – 7/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was subject to a stewards inquiry after his 4 ½ length 5th of 10 here (6f) last week. Still travelling well, he got stuck behind horses 1f out but once in the clear he finished with plenty of running left. The drop back to the minimum trip shouldn’t inconvenience the 5-year-old. He doesn’t win very often but he’s a well handicapped horse when all the cards fall right.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I seem to have got one of those winter viruses that are going around so I haven’t had any inclination to look at the two Wednesday all-weather cards. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow with some selections.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Doncaster and Exeter.

Doncaster

3:00 – Sporting Mike – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Put in a much improved performance when winning on handicap debut at Southwell two starts back. He progressed again off a 10lb higher mark when an unlucky ½-length 2^nd of 11 at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Up 6lb for last time which makes life harder but likely capable of better.

Exeter

1:00 – Imperial Storm – 11/8 – Coral & Ladbrokes – Improved for the step up to 3m on handicap hurdle debut at Wetherby last month. The low mileage 7-year-old got a 5lb rise in the weight for that success but given he still looked a bit green when hitting the front coming to two out more improvement should be forthcoming. Heavy ground askes another question of him but it was soft last time he should be fine.

3:15 – Raddon Top – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selections form figures at Exeter are 11123. A late starter over fences, was a six time winner in points, the 10-year-old made an encouraging chase debut when a 3 length 3rd of 10 over C&D just 9-days ago. A winner on heavy ground. He should be sharper for his seasonal return and is my idea of the winner.

Cheers

John