Author: John Burke

Hi all,

I thought we were unlucky not to have had a winner yesterday but all three selections ran well. Today’s picks are from Southwell and Chelmsford.

Southwell

3:00 – Lucky Man – 6/1 @ Bet365 – A chance is taken with the selection despite the lack of pace. The 3-year-old showed he stayed 6f with a strong finishing neck 3rd of 10 at Lingfield 12 days ago. That was just his second run over the distance and his first over it since switched to the all-weather. A winner on the tapeta at Newcastle. He also ran well here three starts back.

3:30 – Salta Resta – 11/4 @ Bet365 – Looked very moderate on her first two starts at Kempton but has improved on both two starts since switching to the tapeta. Last time out she won on her handicap debut over C&D 13-days ago. Up 5lb for that success but looks capable of following up.

Chelmsford

6:30 – Night On Earth – 4/1 – Gen – Twice a winner over 5f at Newcastle and Wolverhampton in November. The 4-year-old has excuses for his last two performance was well beaten at Southwell in December. However, he stumbled at the start that day and was racing just 8-days after his Wolverhampton. Much better when a 1 ½ lengths fourth of 8 at Newcastle two weeks ago. Decent chance if he takes to the polytrack for a yard among the winners.

Cheers

Hi all,

The first selections for February are from Leicester and Kempton

Leicester

3:50 – Concrete King – 9/2 @ Bet365 – A four-time winner in points on soft/heavy ground. The selection has steadily improved on his three starts over hurdles putting in a personal best when a 4 ¾ length 2nd of 12 in a Lingfield maiden hurdle last time. The hood he wore that day is retained for his handicap hurdle debut

Kempton

7:30 – George Morland – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A C&D winner on his racecourse debut last March. The 4-year-old hasn’t added to that success but posted a career best on RPR’s when ¾-length 2nd of 9 at Lingfield 11-days ago. That was his first start for three months and he was doing his best work at the finish after being caught further back than was ideal.

8:00 – Sassy Rascal – 4/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – The filly came from behind to win at the fifth attempt at Lingfield back in September. Not disgraced on either start in handicap company and last time finished a 1 ½ length 6^th of 10. Given she missed the start and had to race wide in the straight she did well in the circumstances to finish as close as she did. Tom Marquand replaces a 7lb apprentice and better is expected.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The recent poor run continued yesterday. We have one day left to hopefully end the month in profit. Today’s selections are Hereford and Plumpton. I have four for you today because I can’t really split them and I don’t want to do what I did on Saturday.

Hereford

2:00 – Torigni – 7/4 @ Bet365 – The selection, a useful hurdler, got off the mark over fences at the third attempt when beating two rivals at Leicester (good to firm) 47-days ago. Granted he needs to jump with more fluency than he did last time but its another small field here. Good ground suits the 6-year-old and I think he can go in again off just 1lb higher.

2:30 – Powerstation Park – 7/4 @ Bet365 – Left his hurdling and previous chase from well behind when winning over C&D (good) two starts back. Well below that form in the Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen. Maybe found 3m 3 ½ f on testing ground not to his liking last time. Back here on better ground will hopefully see the selection bounce back to form.

Plumpton

3:40 – Rose Of Aghaboe – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Twice a winner over fences and a winner here over hurdles last season. The mare returned to form when 1 ¼ length 2nd of 7 over C&D last month. She looks on a winnable mark and is effective on a sound surface.

4:10 – Global Wonder – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selection isn’t the most reliable (1-14 over hurdles) but he’s effective on good ground and his sole hurdles win came over C&D. Back to form effort when a 2-length 2nd of 12 over C&D last month.  Below his last winning mark and can win again if on a going day.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Yesterday’s selections were woeful. I’m hoping for better today with the first two selections both course winners at Sedgefield hailing from the very much in form Brian Ellison yard.

Sedgefield

1:30 – Snookered – 14/1 @ Bet365 or 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection has some solid form figures 211132 at the course and the top-weight put in another good effort when only beaten a nose into second over C&D in September (good).  He’s 1lb lower here and Tom Midgley takes off a handy 5lb. Granted he was well beaten in a better race won by Tommy’s Oscar at Doncaster last month but the yard is in much better form now.

2:30 – Onehundredpercent – 11/2 @ Bet365 – The selection 1-6 over hurdles but that sole win came here in a novice hurdle over 2m 1f in August. The 6-year-old has continued in good form on his last three starts, including when a 14 ¾ length 3rd of 13 at Doncaster on his first start since wind surgery. If he stays today’s 2m 5f distance he won’t be far away at the finish for an inform yard

Fontwell

3:50 – Spotty Dog – 6/1 @ Bet365 – The selection remains a maiden after 12 starts but there was plenty to like about his back to form ½-length 2nd of 11 at Leicester 18-days ago. The 7-year-old isn’t certain to back that effort up here but if he does, he’s a definite contender.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Doncaster and Cheltenham.

Doncaster

2:10 – Western Victory – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Went off too hard out in front at Ascot last Saturday. That was the mares’ first start since joining Emma Lavelle and hopefully that run will have taken the fizz out of her. It’s a quick turnaround for the 9-year-old but she would close here on the pick of her Irish form.

2:45 – Coolbane Boy – 7/1 @ Paddy Power & BetVictor – The selection improved on his stable debut when winning a five-runner handicap at Musselburgh (good to soft) 28-days ago. That was a clear personal best by the 7-year-old who looks worth the step into graded company here.

Cheltenham

1:20 – When You’re Ready – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Stepped up on his hurdle efforts when winning at Chepstow (2m 3 ½ f) on his second start over the larger obstacles. Ran well again when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 9 to Golden Whisky back at the Welsh venue last time. Shaping that day like further would suit. Remains capable of more progress over fences.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Huntingdon and Doncaster.

Huntingdon

3:40 – Thundersockssundae – 9/2 @Coral & Ladbrokes – The 7-year-old placed on his first two starts since joining Fergal O’Brien, both starts over around 2m 4f. Beaten when pulled on his first start over 3m at Wetherby (soft) last month. Had shaped on his previous two starts like he would be suited by the step up to the distance. Worth another try at 3m, on better ground, and on his chase debut.

Doncaster

12:15 – Ahead Of The Field – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner on his second start over fences at Southwell last month. Possibly wasn’t suited by the step up to an extended 3m on softer ground back at the same venue 25-days ago. Surely better than he was able to show last time and a combination of a drop back in trip and a sounder surface can suit the 7-year-old.

4:00 – Get Prepared – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Showed improved form to win on his handicap hurdle at Southwell (good to soft) last month. Not as good on heavy ground when a 19 ½ length 4th of 13 at Huntingdon 33-days ago. He’s just had the six starts over hurdles so is capable of a bit better especially back on a sounder surface.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Kempton.

Kempton

2:45 – Street Kid – 7/2 – Gen – Has done well since returning to race on the all-weather winning two of his three starts, both at Wolverhampton, and finishing 3^rd of 9 here two starts back. Just 1lb higher than winning 58-days ago and he could be capable of a bit better. If ready to roll after a short break he won’t be far away.

3:45 – Recuerdame – 15/2 @ Bet365 or 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection is 5-32 on the all-weather, including one over C&D and is now 9lb below his last winning mark. He was sent off the 7/2 favourite when a 4-length 4th of 9 at Chelmsford 18-days ago.  Back in handicap company today and should be capable of going well with the reapplied cheekpieces replacing the hood.  

4:20 – Liva – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Twice a winner around here in the past. The 6-year-old got the run of the race out in front when winning here over 2m 12-days ago.  You couldn’t fault his attitude at the finish that day, as he rallied when headed 1f out to get up on the line. Up 1lb for that win but should still be competitive despite the drop back to 1m 4f.

Cheers

John

Hi all

Today’s selections are from Lingfield and Warwick.

Lingfield

1:50 – Il Ridoto – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – Looked a big improver when taking advantage of a lenient handicap mark on just his second start over fences at Newbury (good to soft) two starts back. The 4-year-old was then pitched into Grade 1 novice chase company at Sandown just 7-days later but was soon struggling. The step up in class and quick turnaround probably caught him out. Looks the type to bounce back and won on heavy over hurdles when trained in France.

2:25 – Goshen – 11/4 – Gen – The outsider of the three but he gets heavy ground for the first time since running away with the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton in February. Ok, he’s going left-handed and stepping up to an extended 2m 3f but he should get an uncontested lead and if he’s in the mood he would take some beating if reproducing his Wincanton effort here.

Warwick

2:50 – Good Risk At All – 9/4 @ Bet365 – Twice a winner in bumpers last season. The 6-year-old has finished runner-up on both starts over hurdles last season. Not disgraced when a 6-length 2^nd of 7 to the smart Jonbon at Newbury last time. Looks on a workable mark for his handicap hurdle debut and is open to further improvement.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Haydock, Lingfield and Ascot.

Haydock

3:10 – Moon King – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has placed on all three starts at around 3m this season. Latest effort came when a 3 ½ length 2nd of 8 in a handicap hurdle at Doncaster 24-days ago. He’s been dropped 1lb since and Brian Hughes twice a winner on the 6-year-old is back in the saddle.

Lingfield

3:40 – Umm Hurair – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection is a rapidly improving filly who completed a Wolverhampton hat trick with a comfortable success there 26-days ago. The handicapper has hiked the 4-year-old up 10lb for her last win and stall ten could be better. On the plus side Ryan Moore booked and I don’t think we have seen the best of the 4-year-old just yet.

Ascot

1:10 – Didero Vallis – 4/1 @ Bet365 – Can be a tricky ride but the 9-year-old is lurking on a good mark if everyone goes right for him and he’s on a going day. A solid enough 3-length 2^nd of 7 at Ludlow last month. He’s off the same mark here but Lucy Turmer takes off a handy 7lb which could make all the difference.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Lingfield and Market Rasen.

Lingfield

1:20 – Fontaine Collonges – 9/2 – Gen – A winning heavy ground hurdle winner last season. The selection built on the promise of her Wetherby chase debut when successful at Warwick two starts back. Not in the same form when only 4^th of 11 at Cheltenham last time, looked like she would be well beaten two out but to her credit she stayed on up the hill. May not have liked the track or fences last time. A return to a more prominent ride and more testing ground should see her do better.

4:08 – Tile Tapper – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A useful soft/heavy ground novice hurdler last season. The 6-year-old didn’t lack for market support, returned 9/2, when a 24 lengths 4^th of 8 to the smart L’Homme Presse on his chase debut at Exeter last month. He should be sharper for that run and looks on a winnable mark over fences.

Market Rasen

1:30 – Minella Buster – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Much improved when winning a Plumpton maiden hurdle (2m 4 ½ f) last month. That was probably a very poor race so its not worth getting too carried away with his 24-length success. That said the 6-year-old has only had three starts over hurdles, is likely capable of better and should be suited by the step up to 2m 7f here.

Cheers

John