Author: John Burke

Hi all,

Three of yesterday’s selections finished within ½ length of the winner in their respective races. The most frustrating was seeing Lone Eagle, 4 lengths clear a furlong out, being reeled in close home in the Irish Derby. When your lucks out, its out.

Today’s selections are from Windsor and the Curragh.

Windsor

3:25 – Russian Virtue – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Remains a maiden after seven starts but put in a career best effort when a ½ length 2^nd of 10 at Sandown 16-days ago. Today’s extra 1 ½ furlongs should suit the selection. Same mark as last time and there is race in him when things drop right.

4:30 – Morrooj – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a Chepstow handicap last August (soft) showed she handled quicker ground when a short head 2^nd of 7 at Salisbury (good to firm) 19-days ago. Up 3lb but the 4-year-old is bred to be a lot better than a 74 rated horse and is capable of a bit better.

Curragh

4:45 – Aesop – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner at Cork on his reappearance bounced back from a poor run here to finish a close-up 3^rd of 12 at Cork last time.  Good ground is a positive and there is a race in the 4-year-old off around his present mark.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The terrible form continues but a winner or two will soon brighten the gloom. It’s a rare four selection day.

Newmarket

2:05 – Desert Dreamer – 13/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – A winner on both sides on the other track in the spring. Was well fancied to complete the hat trick in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot 10-days ago.  Her chance was gone when she was slowly away from her low draw. Wasn’t given the hardest when her jockey realised her chance had gone. I think she better than that form and can show it here.

4:25 – Willyorwon’t He – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Seems to have benefitted for a srping gelding operation winning at Kempton two starts back and maintained that progression when runner-up to an improver at Doncater (good to firm) three weeks ago. Up another 3lb but the 3-year-old is going the right way.

Curragh

3:45 – Lone Eagle – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Was a high class staying juvenile, winning the Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket on his final start of 2020.  Fourth in the Classic Trial at Sandown on his seasonal reappearance. Looking that day like he needed a stronger stamina test. As expected, he improved for the step up to an extended 1m 3f when making all to win a Listed race at Goodwood last month.  He handled the soft ground better than his rivals that day but he’s still a smart colt. Plenty to like about his attitude and Frankie Dettori comes over for the ride.

4:50 – Belle Image – 12/1 @ Coral – Put in a career best effort when a 1 ¼ length 4^th of 14 in the Irish 1.000 Guineas over C&D last time. Different ground today but she did win here on good ground last season so underfoot condition should be fine. She might be a bit flattered by her Guineas form, the bookies seem to be taking that position, but I like her chance back in class.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The service is going through a poor run. Today’s selections on a busy Friday are from Yarmouth, Newmarket and Chester.

Yarmouth

2:35 – Seneca Chief – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 7-year-old bounced back to something like his best when a ½ length 2^nd of 13 at Sandown 13-days ago. Same mark today and capable of going close if reproducing his last time out effort.

Newmarket

6:20 – Dashing Dick – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Remains a maiden after 12 starts but you really can’t fault his attitude on his last three starts. Need to settle better than he did last time at Sandown and is vulnerable to any improvers but can pop up when all the cards fall right for him.

Chester

8:45 – Coul Kat – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Put in career best on RPR’s when winning at Sandown last month. It was soft at Sandown but he’s also effective on a sounder surface and off just a 4lb higher mark looks capable of following up.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A couple of poor days at the office. Today’ selections are from Newcastle & Nottingham.

Newcastle

5:30 – Big Thanks – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Looked to have improved for his handicap debut when a 1¼ lengths second of 9 to Havagomecca at Haydock 28-days ago. Lightly raced and capable of more progress if taking to the track.

Nottingham

1:35 – Gilt Edge – 7/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Comes into the race seeking the hat trick after quick ground wins at Lingfield and Chepstow. Hiked up 9lb for that latter success but remains the pick given the ease of his Chepstow win.

3:20 – Arcadian Nights – 3/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – A winner on final juvenile start at Kempton the selection returned from a 5-month absence to win at Wolverhampton 101-days ago. Up just 5lb for that win and this is a better race. However, he looked a nice prospect last time and we know he goes well fresh.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Carlisle & Kempton.

Carlisle

2:55 – Jackhammer – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection is a three-time winner at Carlisle, including C&D and has returned to action with two runner-up efforts at Ayr and Hamilton. He’s ground versatile and is solid contender to go one better here.

4:40 – Thunder Beauty – 11/4 @ Bet365 –  A winner of a Curragh maiden on her juvenile debut last season. The filly then went on to finish a 3 ½ length 5^th of 13 in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes back at the same venue. Well beaten in this season’s 1.000 Guineas (16/1) but she shaped better when 6^th of 13 in a 6f Group 3 at the Curragh three weeks ago. Doing he best work at the finish last time the return to 7f and a drop-in class can see her go close.

Kempton

6:10 – Broughton Sunpearl – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Was unlucky to come up against an improver when caught in the final strides over C&D two starts back. Not as good when only 6^th of 11 here 119-days ago. Has been given a break and if the previous C&D winner is ready to roll after a break can go close.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Gosnay Gold got the week off to a good start when striking at Chepstow yesterday. Today’s two selections are from Newbury.

Newbury

6:30 – Amir Kabir – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Coral – Had caught the eye when 3^rd of 16 here (1m 2f) on his seasonal return. The 4-year bounced back from a below par run at Windsor when a ¾ length 3^rd of 8 at Leicester last time. A winner on soft ground last year he shaped at Leicester that he was a try at 1m 4f.

8:05 – Intrusive – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – Looks interesting in the first-time blinkers replacing the hood he wore when a 1 ½ length 3^rd of 1 at Goodwood 13-days ago. Goes well on soft ground and looks on a winnable mark if building on his last effort.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Windsor failed an morning inspection which means were down to just one selection today.  

Chepstow

4:00 – Gosnay Gold – 7/2 @ Ladbrokes – The selection seemingly put in his best effort on turf when a ½ length 2^nd of 13 at Goodwood last time. The quick ground suited the 3-year-old that day and another good run can be expected

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was good to end to Royal Ascot on a winning note. It’s been a tough week but if just one of the five seconds that we had in the in the past three days we would have been looking at good meeting results wise.

There are no selections today.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A winner yesterday at Royal Ascot. Let’s hope we can end the meeting with a profit although today looks as tricky for punters as the previous four days.

Royal Ascot

3:40 – Broome – 9/2 @ Coral – Finished a close-up 4^th in the 2019 Derby. Last season was a bit of a write off, just the two starts. Has returned to action in good form winning his first three starts and finished a head 2^nd of 8 in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup last time. Handles juice in the ground and a return to 1m 4f for the first time this season looks a good one.

4:20 – Glen Shiel – 13/2 @ Bet365 – Had favourite Dream Of Dreams back in 8th when winning the Champions Sprint over C&D last autumn. Likely needed the run when 4th of 10 at the Curragh on his seasonal return and should be spot on for this.

6:10 – Stratum – 5/1 @ Bet365 – The selectionbids to give Willie Mullins a third win the race. The 8-year-old is highest of these on official ratings and he did win the 2019 Cesarewitch on soft ground.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Go Bears Go went so close in the first at Royal Ascot and Eshaada also finished runner-up in the Ribblesdale Stakes.  Hoping for better luck today.

Royal Ascot

2:30 – Hello You – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A well-bred daughter of Invincible Spirit made an impressive winning racecourse debut at Wolverhampton last month. Looked a smart prospect that day when quickening up in the straight to go clear of her rivals inside the final furlong. Should be capable of reaching Group level. She’s out of a Pivotal mare so there’s a decent chance she will handle rain softened ground.

3:05 – Alenquer – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection had Derby winner Adayar back in second when causing a 25/1 shock in the Classic Trial at Sandown. Won on soft ground last year so shouldn’t have any issues with the forecast rain. The step up to 1m 4f can bring out more improvement in the colt.

3:40 – Suesa – 9/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The French trained filly is unbeaten on four career starts and impressed when quickening clear of her rivals to win a Group 3 at Chantilly last time. Three of those wins have come on soft and heavy so underfoot conditions should hold no terrors for her.

Cheers

John