Author: John Burke

Hi all,

I’m going to be taking Monday and Tuesday off so let’s hope I can go into the break with a winning day. Today’s selections are Punchestown & Exeter

Punchestown

2:10 – You Raised Me Up – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Ciel De Neige bid for a hat trick over the fence. The selection was rated only 3lb the Mullins horse over hurdles and he receives 7lb from him today. The 9-year-old made a very promising chase debut when an 18 ¼ length 4th of 15 to Ferny Hollow in a Punchestown beginners chase in December. That was his first start for nine months and he wasn’t given a hard race that day and will surely win races over fences.

Exeter

3:30 – Emmpressive Lady – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A previous course winner, the selection made it 3-7 over hurdles when showing that she was all about stamina when outstaying six rivals at Kempton at Christmas. Genuinely soft ground suits the mare and despite a 5lb rise in the weights she looks a worthy favourite if the rain arrives.

4:30 – Run To Milan – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 10-year-old’s best three RPR’s have been posted over C&D and he posted a career best when a ½ length 2^nd of 9 over C&D last month. He’s up 2lb for that effort but this offers him a good chance of a second success over fences.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newbury and Warwick

Newbury

1:50 – The Brimming Water – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Looked an improving handicap hurdler when taking advantage of last hurdle mistake by Unexpected Party at Wetherby two starts back. The runner-up has boosted the form since by comfortably winning at Ascot. Ran almost up to that level of form when a 5 ¼ length 3rd of 8 at Haydock three weeks ago. That was his first start at 3m and I wasn’t totally convinced about his stamina that day. However, he’s worth another try over it and today’s better ground.

Warwick

2:40 – Genuflex – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of juvenile hurdle at Sedgefieldin October before finishing 2^nd of 7 to Porticello a Triumph Hurdle hope in a Listed juvenile hurdle at Wetherby. Well behind the winner in Grade 1 on very testing ground in December but bounced back to form when a 3-length 3rd of 6 at Huntingdon last month. The selection has had wind surgery since that run and should go well here.  

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Bangor & Chelmsford.

Bangor

3:05 – Fortunes Melody – 11/4 – Gen – The mare twice successful in France has yet to win since joining present trainer Harry Fry. However, she been running well and last time posted a personal best when a 1 ¼ length 2^nd of 8 at Taunton last month. This is just a third start over fences and she should be capable of winning in the sphere.

Chelmsford

7:15 – Finery – 4/1 @Bet365 or 7/2 – Gen – The selection a C&D winner in November bounced back to form when a ½ length 2^nd of 8 here 8-days ago. She came from a long way back that day and looked a shade unlucky. Quick turnaround but she’s 2lb well in today than in the future.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Ffos Las and Doncaster.

Ffos Las

3:37 – Fairlawn Flyer – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection and Alkopop finished 1^st and 2^nd over C&D last time. The winner has been raised 7lb for his five-length success, the runner-up remains on the same mark and is entitled to finish ahead here at the revised weights. That all said Fairlawn Flyer is progressive young staying handicap chaser now 2-2 over fences and is the pick to make it 3-3 over C&D.

Doncaster

2:45 – The Unit – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection is on a losing run that goes back to August 2018. However, he did run his best race of the season when a 5 ¼ length 3rd of 8 at Wincanton on Boxing Day. It was a decent effort as the ground was soft that day and he’s a better horse on a sound surface.

3:50 – Lord Roco – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has improved with each of his three starts over hurdles. Finished his race of strongly when winning a Newcastle maiden hurdle (2m 4 ½ f) last month. Looks the type to improve further for step up in distance which he gets here and appears to be on a competitive mark for his handicap debut. Won on good to soft last time so should be ok on good ground.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A treble yesterday clawed back most of the month’s losses and it could have been even better as another selection was caught in the final 110yds at Market Rasen.

Today’s selections are from Ludlow & Kempton.

Ludlow

3:00 – Bellatrixsa – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Returned from 7 months absence with a 9 ½ length 2nd of 5 at Chepstow on her handicap hurdle debut last month. Unlucky to come up against a well handicapped rival that day. Twice a winner in novice company last season on good to soft, including over C&D, and the 5-year-old looks the one to beat returned to racing against her own sex.

Kempton

5:30 – Almodovar Del Rio – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection put in a career best when a short-head 2nd of 10 to Roxzoff in handicap at Wolverhampton last time. The winner went in again at Southwell last evening so the form looks reliable. Effective on the polytrack and looks capable of going close again from a handy draw in stall 3.

7:00 – Eyes – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Just about a career best from the 4-year-old when a 1 ¼ length 2nd of 9 to one of today’s rivals Khatwah over C&D two weeks ago. Off the same mark here and gets 5lb from the winner. Granted that one is progressive and bids for the hat trick here but provided the selection gets a decent pace to chase I think she can take advantage of a pull in the weights.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It’s been a horror start to the month compared to what’s been happening for Victor Value subscribers. Mind you it’s only February 8^th and what matters is what the profit and loss is on the 28^th. Today’s selections, yes there are five of them, are from Market Rasen, Taunton and Southwell.

Market Rasen

3:20 – Brainstorm – 4/1 @Bet365 – Consistency isn’t the selections strong suit and he may require softer ground than is likely today. Twice a winner over hurdles for his previous yard. Venetia Williams has yet to get a win from him. The 10-year-old is 0-6 over fences but he’s got a couple of pieces of form that would give a good chance, including a 2 ¼ length 2^nd of 9 to Ask Me Early at Uttoxeter back in March, off 2lb higher.

3:55 – Freddy Fanatapan – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection a two-time hurdle winner made a winning chase debut at Huntingdon last month. He’s been raised 5lb for that win but he’s at the right end of the handicap and can go close again if the cheekpieces he wore for the first time at Huntingdon continue to have the desired effect.

Taunton

3:00 – Revels Hill – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a good ground hurdle at Warwick in the Spring. The 7-year-old built on the promise of his Wetherby chase debut 4^th, one place and 2 ¼ length behind useful handicapper Gericault Roque, when 2^nd off 11 to subsequent winner Powerstown Park at Hereford in December (the 4^th won at Fontwell yesterday). He was still travelling well enough when unseating his rider four out at Southwell last time. If his confidence has been dented by that mishap he should go close here.

Southwell

5:00 – Jeans Maite – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – The selection put in a career best effort when making all to win over C&D 12-days ago. She’s been hiked up 8lb for that success which makes life tougher and she will also face more pace pressure here. That all said she’s in the form of her life and looks set for another big run here.

6:30 – Cliffcake – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – In good form in 2021, ending the year with a win on turf at Yarmouth and following up over C&D in December. The 4-year-old is 2-2 since dropping back to 7f. Returns form a 60-day absence here but won off a 52 day break last time so fitness should be an issue. Up 3lb now but should be competitive again.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another poor day at the office on Sunday. I’m hopeful of better on Monday. Today’s selection as from Fontwell, Carlisle and Wolverhampton.

Fontwell

1:50 – Foxboro – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection has been running well of late. A close-up second at Wincanton two starts back. He ran arguably just as well when a 1 ½ length 3rd of 7 to Falco Blitz in a slightly better handicap chase at Kempton last time. There are races to be won with the 7-year-old. Hopefully starting here,

Carlisle

3:20 – Cornerstone Lad – 7/1 @ Bet365 – A very useful hurdler back in the day winning the 2019 Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle. The 8-year-old hadn’t really put it altogether on his first five starts over the larger obstacles. However, it all clicked for him when be beat four rivals at Wetherby last time. He’s only been raised 3lb for that success and with confidence hopefully restored he can go in again.

Wolverhampton

8:30 – International Law – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Isn’t the most consistent of horses but this former C&D winner is now below his last winning mark and shaped like his turn was near when a ½ length 2^nd of 10 over C&D in December. He bounced back from an underwhelming effort at Newcastle with a much better effort when a ½ 2^nd of 11 back at that venue last time. A wide draw in 11 to overcome but there’s a race in the 8-year-old when all the cards fall right.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Musselburgh, Kempton and Leopardstown.

Musselburgh

1:32 – Inca Prince – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection seems to have improved for the move to the Ruth Jefferson stable winning at Catterick and then progressing again to comfortably beat five rivals over C&D on New Year’s Day. The 4-year-old is well worth stepping up into Listed company here and I think he can beat the Nicky Henderson trained favourite Impulsive One.

Kempton

4:30 – Dance At Night – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 4-year-old seemed to improve for the step up to 7f when winning here last month. The filly steps up to a mile, shapes like she will stay, for her handicap debut and looks the sort to progress further with racing.

Leopardstown

4:40 – Harmonya Maker – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes This looks a Mullins versus Elliott race and I think the Elliott trained selection can get the better of the Mullins trained favourite. Jamie Codd has opted for the 5-year-old who built on the promise of her racecourse debut 2nd of 12 at Navan when comfortably beating 12 rivals at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve. She’s open to plenty more improvement, looks a high-class prospect, and can hopefully upset the Mullins favourite.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Sandown and Leopardstown.

Sandown

3:30 – Farinet – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Made it 2-2 here when winning over 2m 4f last month. Up 6lb but he’s progressive and shapes like he will get 3m. Both wins have come on softer ground though so today’s better ground does pose another question of the 7-year-old. If he handles it, he’s the one to beat. Trainer Venetia Williams saddled Otago Bay to win this in 2017.

Leopardstown

1:05 – Grand Jury – 11/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Looked a useful prospect when winning a Punchestown maiden over 2m on his hurdles debut in November. He improved again when a 4 ¼ length 2^nd of 7 to the smart Ginto in a Grade at Naas last month. Showed he stayed 2m 4f that day and today’s extra 2f should suit the 6-year-old.

3:50 – Exit Poll – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selection finished runner-up in C&D handicap last time. He’s been running consistently well over fences and won’t be far away again with Jack Foley taking off a handy 5lb.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Lucky Man got an excellent ride from Hayley Turner when winning at Southwell yesterday. Today’s selections are from Chepstow and Meydan.

Chepstow

4:00 – Full Of Light – 5/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – One of the Henderson lesser ‘lights’but the selection has been a steady improver over hurdles and took advantage of a fair opening handicap mark to win at Plumpton (good) last time. Found plenty for pressure that day and despite a 5lb rise in the weights looks capable of a bit better.

Meydan

3:10 – Island Falcon – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner on his final start at Nottingham last October. The selection showed he had settled well in Dubai with a comfortable success in the Jumeirah Derby Trial here 14-days ago. Capable of better and could see off likely warm favourite New Science here.

5:30 – Pevensey Bay – 9/2 @ Bet365 – The selection out in a career best when winning a Group 2 over a mile here three weeks ago. The 6-year-old must give her nine rivals 4lb here due to her latest success which makes life harder but she could be capable of doing so, if in the same form as last time.

Cheers

John