Author: John Burke

Hi all,

No getting away from a poor start to the month. Today’s selections are from Leicester and Exeter.

Leicester

2:40 – Jacamar – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection a winner at Kempton over Christmas, off 1lb higher, hasn’t made an impact in better company at Cheltenham & Warwick on his last two starts but will appreciate today’s drop-in class.

Exeter

1:15 – Dr Kananga – 13/8 @ Bet365 – Made it 3-6 over fences when making all to comfortably see of three rivals at Sandown last time. An easy winner at Chepstow on his previous start. The 8-year-old jumped well at Sandown and is a progressive staying handicap chaser on soft ground. Up 10lb for his last win but likely he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Carlisle and a couple of runners from the inform Nicky Richards yard.

Carlisle

2:10 – Royal Arcade – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner here over hurdles 12 months ago. The selection put in a good effort over fences when a close-up 2^nd of 4 at Ayr two starts back. Possibly wasn’t suited by the drop back to 2m back at the same venue last month. The return to further should suit.

2:45 – She’s A Rocca – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The mare is 0-8 over hurdles but she did put in a near personal best over the smaller obstacles when ¾ length 3^rd of 10 at Doncaster (good) last time. Here best hurdling performances have come on a sound surface so the drying ground looks a plus for her chance here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Catterick and Kempton.

Catterick

4:00 – Flexi Furlough – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Had been knocking on the door before getting off the mark at the 11^th attempt over hurdles with a decisive 6 length success at Doncaster last time.  Up 5lb for that win but mare will appreciate the drier ground and can go in again.

Kempton

7:00 – Allowed – 4/1 – Gen – The 4-year-old seemed to improve for the step up to 1m 4f when successful over C&D three weeks ago. Granted she got an 8lb hike for that win but she shouldn’t be far away in her hat trick bid.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newcastle and Wolverhampton.

Newcastle

3:50 – Greatest Star – 7/2 @ Bet365 – The selection was a winner at Southwell (good) two starts back and shaped like he’s on decent enough handicap mark when a 6 ¾ length 3rd of 12 at Warwick last time. Off the same mark here and on better ground is capable of better.

Wolverhampton

7:30 – Prioritise – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A C&D winner last April.  The filly returned from a 7-month absence with an eyecatching 1¾ lengths 5th of 10 at Kempton 20-days ago. She should be sharper with that run under belt and a return to this venue looks another positive.

8:00 – Ruby Red Empress – 7/1 – Gen – Inform jockey James Doyle comes to Wolverhampton for one ride on the selection. In decent form early last season winning twice on the turf the mare won an amateur rider’s handicap over C&D when last seen in action 78-days ago. Up 4lb for that success but another bold bid is expected, if Doyle does take the ride.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Hardly a great start to the month and there’s a requirement to halt the losing run. Today’s selections are from Wetherby and Wolverhampton.

Wetherby

4:05 – Indian Brave – 8/1 @ Bet365 –  Is returning from a long absence. When last seen in action two seasons back he was a progressive handicap chaser having won at Chepstow and Newbury. The 11-year-old was well suited to the mud so underfoot conditions will be fine.  Trainer has his horses in decent from and this is his sole runner on the card. If he’s got Indian Brave ready to roll. I think he can win this.

4:40 – Motown Lake – 6/4 @ Bet365 – A faller on his chase debut the selection looked a much different horse for the fitting of the first time cheekpieces when running out a 9-length winner at Uttoxeter (soft) 23-days ago. He jumped soundly that day and given he’s unexposed over the larger obstacles, a 7lb rise in the weights shouldn’t stop him from following up here.

Wolverhampton

8:00 – Clap Your Hands – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection is now down to his last winning mark and put in his best effort since returning from a summer break when a ¾ length 3rd of 7 at Kempton last month. Slight concern that there won’t be much pace in the race but if he gets an even gallop to chase the 6-year-old is handicapped to go close.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Leopardstown, Wexford & Huntingdon.

Leopardstown

4:15 – Bythesametoken – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – There was plenty to like about how the 8-year-old went about his work to win at Down Royal last time. A useful handicap hurdler, that was just his second start over fences and he remains capable of better.

Wexford

3:55 – Clifton Warrior – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Bounced back to form with a personal best when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 10 in a Down Royal novice hurdle last time. The least exposed of the seven runners and looks capable of better on his handicap debut.

Huntingdon

2:55 – Astroman – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selection is 0-5 over hurdles but has placed four times, including when a 3 ¼ length 2nd of 9 over C&D last time. Shapes like there is a small race in him off his present mark.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Kelso, Doncaster, and Newbury.

Kelso

1:32 – Sholokjack – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – I’m going with the improving selection who made it 2-2 over hurdles when winning a Wetherby novice hurdle last time. Up in class but he handles soft ground and should go well.

Doncaster

1:45 – Mongol Emperor – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection be all the better for his recent 12 ½ length 4^th of 7 at Fontwell 26-days ago. That was his first run for 11 months and he has a good chance of landing a third career success.

Newbury

3:37 – Song Of The Hunter – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Is having his first since switching to the Harry Fry stable. Runner-up over C&D 12 months ago. The 8-year-old went closer when occupying the same spot at Haydock on his next start. Two low key efforts of fences for previous trainer this season and he should appreciate the return to the smaller obstacles.

Cheers

John

Hi all.

Today’s selections are from Doncaster, Lingfield and Dundalk.

Doncaster

3:40 – Numitor – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was never really jumping, normally solid in that department, when well beaten at Sandown 55-days ago. A winner at Wetherby on his seasonal return before an excellent 2nd of 12 to Il Ridoto at Newbury. If he’s back to his best, there are more wins in the 8-year-old who is having only his eighth start over fences.

Lingfield

2:45 – Count Otto – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection was in excellent format around this time last year, winning twice over C&D and then Newmarket in April. Well beaten on both starts since returning from a 168-day break but the blinkers are reapplied for the first time this year and he’s got the back class to win this.

Dundalk

7:30 – Inflection Point – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Talented enough to win this, if on a going day, but not the most consistent of horses. Back down to his last winning mark which was achieved over C&D in December. Put in a decent enough performance in the first visor when a 1 ¼ length 2^nd of 7 here over 6f last Friday. Doing his best work at the finish last time. Return to 7f looks a positive for the top weight with Cian MacRedmond taking off a handy 5lb.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Ludlow and Newcastle.

Ludlow

2:30 – Sacre Coeur – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The mare posted a personal best effort over hurdles when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 10 in mares only handicap hurdle at Wincanton last time. Just beaten by an improver that day and the front two pulled nicely clear of the rest. On a competitive mark, if she stays 3m.

3:30 – Picanha – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a bumper on his debut over rules. The 8-year-old returned from a 697-day absence, shaping with plenty of promise on his Exeter hurdle debut before going onto win a Warwick maiden. Found Grade 2 company at Cheltenham to hot last time and will appreciate the return to calmer waters off what looks a workable mark for his handicap debut.

Newcastle

3:46 – Imperium – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Made it 6-8 on the all-weather when winning at Kempton 33-days ago and the first time cheekpieces he wore last time are retained. Despite being a 6-year-old he remains progressive and although he been raised up 3lb for his latest success I think he can defy the weight rise. Granted he must prove he’s as effective on the tapeta as the polytrack but connections are thinking about the Northumberland Plate over C&D as a potential summer target.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A poor end to the month but a small profit gained so no complaints and it’s the second successive profitable month for the service.  I’m off on Wednesday so I’m hoping to get the new month off to a winning start. Today’s selections are from Catterick and Newcastle.

Catterick

3:15 – Chanting Hill – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – A respectable enough effort from the mare when 1 ¼ length 2nd of 3 over C&D last time. On her last winning mark and provided they go an even enough gallop she looks more than capable of going close again.

Newcastle

7:30 – True Mason – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – A useful juvenile but hasn’t won his 2-year-old’s days. He in a good effort when a 2 ¾ lengths 5th of 12 when last seen in action over C&D 126-days ago. He was closing when not getting a clear run 2f out that day. Once a gap appeared, he was finishing his race off strongly. Has a long absence to overcome but Hollie Doyle has been booked for the ride and I’m expecting a good run from the 6-year-old.

Cheers

John