Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Epsom, Doncaster, and Goodwood.

Epsom

3:10 – High Definition – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Last year’s winner Pyledriver is the one to beat but I’m going to take him on with High Definition who can win this if he backs up his recent excellent second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. He got an aggressive front running ride that day and I’m expecting the same here stepped up to 1m 4f.

Doncaster

6:41 – Isla Kai – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection didn’t build on the promise of his Newbury seasonal return when only 11^th of 13 at York last time. He couldn’t get into a prominent position from his wide draw that day. Better expected today returned to a smaller field and back where he’s 2-2 over C&D. Doesn’t want the ground too quick but hopefully Doncaster has had some rain overnight.

Goodwood

7:37 – Kimngrace – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Ended last season with a win at Haydock and began this season with a respectable 5 ¼ length 4^th of 9 at Sandown in April. The filly didn’t get the best of starts that day but finished her race off nicely enough and should be suited by the return to 6f.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A good start to the new month but the same happened in May. Today’s selections are from Leopardstown, Redcar, and Leicester.

Leopardstown

7:50 – Buckman Tavern – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection was a C&D winner last July, from 4lb lower, has put in a couple of eyecatching efforts this season here on his seasonal reappearance and last time when a 2 ¼ length 3^rd of 20 at Navan. Yard among the winners and the selection looks more than capable of winning a handicap off his present mark.

Redcar

5:45 – Motarajel – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Seems at his best on good or quicker ground. Sole career win at Beverley but he’s also run well in here in the past. Back to his best when a length 2^nd of 13 at Beverley last month. The further they went the stronger he looked last time so although he has to prove his stamina, looks worth another try at beyond an extended mile.

Leicester

3:20 – Roach Power – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Roach Power made a pleasing seasonal appearance when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 8 in a Ripon maiden last month.  A half brother to the yard’s Group winning sprinter Art Power the selection makes his handicap debut off a mark of 79 and I would be disappointed if he wasn’t able to rate higher this season.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The start of a new month. A small profit in May but the month did fizzle out a wee bit so it could, nay should have been better. Today’s selections are from Nottingham.

Nottingham

2:30 – Cherry Cola – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection made an encouraging return to action when a close-up 3^rd of 7 at Goodwood two starts back. Disappointing at the same venue last time but the soft ground probably played a part in the mare’s run that day. Last success came over C&D (good to firm) last June from 1lb lower. The drying ground is a positive and I can see her running much better here.

3:00 – Fox Hill – 8/1 – Gen – The speedy mare been below par on all four starts this season, but she’s dropped down to 3lb below her last winning mark. The first-time visor replaces the cheekpieces and it worth remembering that she won when the cheekpieces were first applied 12 months ago. Trainer got off the mark for the season early this week and I’m expecting a big run from the selection

4:35 – Kitsune Power – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Kitsune Power made a winning seasonal return on handicap debut at Leicester in April an improved again in defeat when a ¾-length second of 11 at Newmarket, doing best of those held up that day. Up 2lb for his latest effort but is going the right way and should be thereabouts.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newbury.

Newbury

3:10 – Tregony – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection improved for the step up to 1m 2f last season winning five of her six starts over the distance. She shaped well enough to think she remains on a decent mark when a 1 ½ length 4^th of 8 at Windsor on her seasonal reappearance. Wasn’t suited by the slow gallop at Ascot last time so can be forgiven that run.  There’s a good chance she will stay 1m 4f on the dam’s side of the pedigree and if her jockey can get her to settle, I think she can go close here. Probably wants good or quicker ground (was with withdrawn from a race at Goodwood due to soft ground).

4:10 – Galiac – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Galiac is the pick in what looks a competitive 3-year-old handicap. The selection got off the mark on his final juvenile start when winning a Newcastle nursery last October and began this season in winning form when beating nine rivals at Goodwood, Up 7lb for his Goodwood (good to soft) win and faces several unexposed rivals here but he’s going the right way and is the pick.

4:40 – Prince Of Abingdon – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The Jane Chapple-Hyam yard seems to have hit form after a quiet spell, had another winner at Lingfield yesterday. The selection hasn’t won November 2020 but looks nicely treated on the best of his best form last summer. He put in a decent enough effort when 3^rd of 9 at Wetherby although wasn’t at that level of from at Leicester last time his yard wasn’t in great form at the time. Seems ground versatile but may be best on good or quicker. Needs a strong gallop to be seen at his best and if he gets it won’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Ayr and Cartmel.

Ayr

7:00 – Tilsitt – 11/4 @ Bet365 – Caught the eye last time when a 3 ¼ length 4th of 9 to one of today’s rivals Tommy G at Musselburgh last time. He got no run whatsoever from the 2f mark until well inside the final furlong that day. Get’s 3lb form the winner here and has a good chance of finishing ahead of that one today. A winner over C&D (good to firm) last summer, from 5lb lower, he should go close.

Cartmel

2:45 – Calliope – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection won over C&D last August and is now 13lb lower. Shaped a bit better in the reapplied cheekpieces when a 7 ¼ length fourth of 5 at Sedgefield last time.  The return to this venue is a plus, she’s on an attractive mark and her trainer Dianne Sayer is 3-8 38% with her runners in the past 14-days.

5:30 – Tokyo Getaway – 11/4 – Gen –Trainer Jimmy Moffatt and jockey Charlotte Jones combined for a hat trick here on Saturday and they could have another winner here. The selection must be respected if reproducing the form of her first two starts at Haydock for her new yard last season. Not as good when last seen in action in a better race 100-days ago but the blinkers replace the cheekpieces and she ran well in them on the only other occasion she wore them when trained in Ireland. If she handles the track the top-weight won’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Uttoxeter, Kelso and Longchamp.

Uttoxeter

4:41 – Eaton Hill – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The veteran ran as well as ever when a 2 ¾ length 2^nd of 11 at Newbury (good) on his final start of last season. He’s been dropped a further 2lb and although he’s vulnerable to any improvers he can go close. Trainer Kerry Lee is 8-32 25% +20.25 with her runners at Uttoxeter in the past 5-years, including 5-13 +21.25 with her hurdlers.

Kelso

3:22 – Castel Gandolfo – 9/4 – Gen – Bounced back to form in the first-time blinkers when ½-length 2nd of 11 in a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock (good) last month. Nudged up 2lb for that effort but if the headgear continues to have the desired effect, he’s the one to beat on good ground. Trainer Fergal O’Brien saddled last years winner is among the winners and he’s also 6-13 46% +7.86 with his runners at Kelso in the past 5 -years.

Longchamp

2:45 – Place Du Carrousel – 3/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – With Prosperous Voyage now a non-runner Wild Beauty is the best of this on RPR’s, but I would be disappointed if the Joseph O’Brien filly Above The Curve and the progressive Place Du Carrousel were not able to improve past her. Preference is for the selection who has a decent turn of foot on a sound surface and looked a nice middle-distance prospect when winning a Group 3 Saint-Cloud last month.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Haydock, Chelmsford, and Navan.

Haydock

1:10 – Chef De Partie – 6/1 @ Bet365 – The selection stepped up on his Newbury reappearance when a neck 2^nd of 10 at Goodwood last month. He remains a work in progress but looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut.

Chelmsford

4:10 – Tiger Crusade – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Settled much better dropped back to 6f when winning at Kempton last October. He’s been raised 4lb for his Kempton success but is now 2-2 over 6f and could yet to be a smart performer in all-weather sprints. First start for 229-days but fitness needn’t be an issue as he’s 2-2 when returning from 121 to 365-day break.

Navan

4:00 – Knightlaila – 10/1 – Gen – Still looked a bit green when winning on his handicap debut (1m) at Gowran Park two starts back. A shade disappointing when only a 7-length 4th of 10 to Ivy League at Naas last time. He gets the first-time visor today and should be suited by the step up to 1m 2f. He’s capable of better and the yard is among the winners.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Carlisle, Brighton and Pontefract.

Haydock

7:55 – Lil Guff – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Produced a clear personal best on RPR’s when beating 14 rivals over C&D 6-days ago. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for that success but she’s a filly in form and can hopefully go in again this evening.

Brighton

4:25 – Run Forrest Run – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Made it 2-2 over C&D when winning here last June off 1lb higher. Several respectable runs on the all-weather over the winter without looking like he would add to his win record. A return to this venue and the fitting of the first time cheekpieces can hopefully see the 4-year-old bounce back to form.

Pontefract

6:30 – Ventura Rascal – 9/2 @ Paddy Power @ Betfair Sportsbook – The selection won over C&D last April and added two further successes in a good 2021. He’s struggled on both starts this year but has had wind surgery since a poor run at Catterick last month.  If the breathing operation has had the desired effect this normally prominent runner can take advantage of a handy low draw.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Sandown.

Sandown

5:40 – Wonder Starelzaam – 9/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – There was plenty to like about the selections win at Windsor 24-days ago. He didn’t get the best of runs 2f that day so his performance can be slightly marked up. Up 4lb for that win but that was his first start over 1m 2f so he’s unexposed over the trip.

6:50 – Quickthorn – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Finished a head in front of Enemy in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last time. He proved he stayed 2m that day and today’s slight easier surface will suit the 5-year-old. Trainer Hughie Morrison won this race in 2015 with Vent De Force.

7:25 – Bay Bridge – 3/1 @ – Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The 4-year-old progressed from handicaps to ending last season winning in Listed company at Newmarket. A winner of all his four starts in 2021. He’s open to further improvement and given trainer Sir Michael Stoute’s record at improving older horses he could prove up to Group level this season. Sir Michael has saddled the winner of this race six times since 2006.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Beverley, Hamilton and Ripon.

Beverley

4:48 – Bit of A Quirke – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection maybe a 9-year-old but he showed he can still be competitive at this level when a neck 2^nd of 8 at Ripon 19-days ago. He’s now 2lb below his last winning mark and has been a bit of a C&D specialist – 6 wins from 17 runs, albeit his last success was in 2019

Hamilton

4:55 – Fergie Time – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Overcame inexperience to get up on the line when winning on handicap debut at Musselburgh (1m) 16-days ago. He was strong at the finish that day and should by today’s extra furlong.

Ripon

6:25 – Young Tiger – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Can go close in the 5f handicap (6:25).  The 9-year-old finished length third of 13 over C&D 10-days ago. He wasn’t the best away that day and would have gone close if he had got off on level terms. He’s now a well handicapped horse if he’s in the same form as last time.

Cheers

John