Thursday Selections – December 17th 2020

Hi all,

Hereford

1:55 – Golden Whiskey – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a handicap chase at Ffos Las (heavy) last season, both career wins at the Welsh track, has just had the two starts since pulling up at Ascot 12 months ago. Satisfactory return to action when 4th of 9 over an inadequate 2m 1 ½ f at Exeter 25-days ago. Should be sharper for that run and can go close for an inform yard.  

15:05 – Avantgardist – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Was in the process of running a good race when badly hampered by faller two out at Ludlow last month. He was well backed before the race which suggests connections think he’s capable of winning of his present mark. Suited by soft ground and although he might be better over further the testing ground will bring his stamina in to play. He will do for me each way.

Exeter

2:40 – Go Whatever – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Two from five or hurdles last season, including a 2m 7 ½ f Class 2 handicap hurdle at Sandown last December. Ran well on his chase debut when 4th of 9 at Ascot last month. That was the 6-year-old’s first start for 294-days and the yards runners often come on for a run.  Likes the mud and looks capable of making his mark over the larger obstacles.

Cheers

John

Wednesday Selections – December 16th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newbury, Ludlow & Dundalk.

Newbury

1:10 – No Getaway – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A soft ground hurdle winner at Hereford last season. The 7-year-old produced a good effort on his chasing debut at Market Rasen 27-days ago. Steps up to 3m with stamina to prove but he’s a half-brother to Grand National winner One For Arthur so should stay. Races off the same mark as last time and can win races over fences.

Ludlow

12:50 – Annsam – 2/1 @ Sky Bet – Likely favourite, Fidelio Vallis will be a tough nut to crack but the selection can hopefully put his experience to good use here. A faller on his chase debut the 5-year-old shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up in beginners’ chase over C&D 23-days ago. Twice a winner on soft over hurdles last season he’s highly regarded and can win races in the sphere.

Dundalk

5:45 – Indiana Grey – 13/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportbook – A winner over C&D two starts back, off 9lb lower.  The filly showed she remains on a competitive mark when finishing 2nd of 12 here 12-days ago and provided they go a decent gallop should be far away again. Jockey Danny Sheehy couldn’t claim 5lb last time but can here.

Cheers

John

Sunday Selections – December 13th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Carlisle.

Carlisle

1:35 – Pookie Pekan – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Is 2-7 at the track, including C&D, with the 7-year-old’s last win coming here off 4lb lower. Goes well on soft ground and although he’s won once on heavy, he hasn’t raced much on such going. Shouldn’t be far away at the finish.

2:10 – Ask Dillion – 11/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Seems at his best on ground with plenty of easeas he showed when 4th of 17, behind Main Fact, in a stronger race at Haydock 22-days ago. Up 1lb for that effort but looks to have a good chance here.

2:40 – Looksnowtlikebrian – 2/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Twice a winner here at the track and a decent third here in October(good). Best form has come on a sounder surface but he’s 2-6 on heavy.  A return to 3m 2f will suit and trainer Tim Vaughan had a welcome winner at Cheltenham on Friday.

Cheers

John

Saturday Selections – December 12th 2020

Hi all,

A double figure priced winner at Punchestown on Friday with the other selection being a non-runner.. There are two from Doncaster today, both from the same yard.

Doncaster

12:20 – Billingsley – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The 8-year-old makes his seasonal return here today. A winner of three of his four starts over fences last season. Now 7lb higher than for the last of those wins at Newbury in February but is capable of better over fences. Best form on soft/heavy so probably wouldn’t want the ground to dry up further.

1:30 – Wheesht – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of an Irish Point. The selection is maiden after four starts over hurdles but shaped better than her 5th of 13 at Southwell (2m 4 ½ f) suggests on her debut for a new yard. She was still very much in contention when making a bad mistake at the last. Step up to and extended 3m should be in the mare’s favour and today’s good to soft ground should be ideal.

Cheers

John

Friday Selections – December 11th 2020

Hi all,

Just the two selections today from Punchestown & Dundalk.

Punchestown

2:45 – R’evelyn Pleasure – 8/1 @Bet365 – Is on a bit of a losing run which dates to January 2019. Just the one win from 11 runs over hurdles but is on good mark. Ran much better than his seasonal return when 3rd of 13 at Thurles last time. Cheekpieces are on for the first time and he should be thereabouts.

Dundalk

7:00 – Alfredo Arcano – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 6-year-old, a five-time C&D winner, won this race 12 months ago off 7lb higher and bounced back to form when 3rd of 11 over C&D two weeks ago. The first-time visor replaces the blinkers worn last time and provided stall 12 isn’t an inconvenience, he’s taken to win again.

Cheers

John

Thursday Selections – December 10th 2020

Hi all,

No joy yesterday. Today’s selections are from Taunton & Warwick.

Taunton

3:17 – Go Long – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Jumped well, when making all to win on his seasonal return under 12-2 at Fontwell last month.  A lightly raced 10-year-old is up 5lb in a better race but is set to go close if building on his last performance.

3:47 – Cushuish – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has returned to action from a 12-month layoff in decent form. Last time out the 7-year-old was doing her best work at the finish when 3rd of 14 at Exeter. A previous C&D winner the mare will appreciate the return to 3m.

Warwick

3:02 – Kilpin – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The 5-year-old has already shown he’s better over fences than hurdles. A solid 2nd of 11 at Stratford on his second start over the larger obstacles 32-days ago. Potential for more improvement and should go close if he stays 3m.

Cheers

John

Wednesday Selections – December 9th 2020

Hi all,

Another winner on Tuesday with Split Elevens just holding on at Wolverhampton.  Just the two selections today from Hexham & Kempton.

Hexham

12:55 – Mymilan – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has been a beaten favourite on his last four starts but wasn’t beaten far into fourth at Carlisle last month. The 7-year-old’s best performances have come on heavy ground and it seems like he stays 3m. Looks set to go close for the inform Sandy Thomson yard.

Kempton

6:55 – Culture – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Twice a C&D winner for his previous trainer has run well on both starts since joining his present yard. Found only an improving 3-year-old too strong when 2nd of 9 here 14-days ago. Up 1lb for that effort but remains on a competitive mark if in the same form as last time.

Cheers

John

Tuesday Selections – December 8th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Uttoxeter & Wolverhampton.

Uttoxeter

12:45 – Pop The Cork – 100/30 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of C&D juvenile hurdle (soft) last October. The selection returned to action with as promising 4th of 9 behind Fransham at Wetherby 39-days ago. The top-weight drops down a notch in class here and shouldn’t be far away.

Wolverhampton

2:55 – Word Of Honour – 5/1 – Gen – Won over C&D, 7-days ago, and is taken to defy a 5lb penalty here. Stall nine could be better but If the 4-year-old gets a good pace to chase, like he did last week, he must have a good chance of back to back wins.

4:30 – Split Elevens – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A seven race maiden the juvenile ran one of his better races when 3rd of 9 at Lingfield 14-days ago. Handles the tapeta and if the first time cheekpieces have the desired effect he has a decent chance of breaking his maiden tag here.

Cheers

John

Sunday Selections – December 6th 2020

Hi all,

Crossed My Mind (8/1) was a nice winner at Navan yesterday. Today’s selections are from Punchestown and Cork.

Punchestown

2:10 – R’evelyn Pleasure – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Is on a bit of a losing run which dates to January 2019. Just the one win from 11 runs over hurdles but is on good mark. Ran much better than his seasonal return when 3rd of 13 at Thurles 17-days ago. Cheekpieces are on for the first time and he should be thereabouts.

Cork

3:30 – Zaccarela – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Runner-up at Ballinrobe two starts back and followed that with another good effort when 3rd of 14 at Fairyhouse 26-days ago. Just his second start in handicap company and the 4-year-old looks capable of winning a race off his present mark for an inform yard.

Cheers

John

Saturday Selections – December 5th 2020

Hi all,

Wetherby

2:12 – Thor De Cerisy – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Was a good second under a penalty here in a novice hurdle in March before finishing 3rd of 7 at Newcastle on his handicap hurdle debut. Just the six starts over hurdles for the 6-year-old so there’s a chance there could be a bit more improvement to come.

Chepstow

1:57 – Bobo Mac – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – First run since March and his first since a wind-op. Won first time up last season so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Goes well in the mud and looks on a competitive enough mark here.

Navan

2:53 – Crossed My Mind – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes –  Returned from a 233-day break to win a handicap chase (2m 2f) at Thurles last month. Up 6lb for that win but has only had the five starts over fences and could be open to a bit more improvement over the larger obstacles.

Cheers

John