Friday Selections – October 9th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Newmarket & Kempton.

Newmarket

2:25 – Saffron Beach – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Certainly knew what was asked of her when winning on her racecourse debut over C&D. Always in a nice position. She took it up a furlong out and stayed onto strongly for her 14 rivals. It was an impressive success and although she steps up from maiden company, the daughter of New Bay looks a useful prospect.

3:00 – Khaloosy – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – So impressive when winning the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot on his seasonal return. Has been a beaten favourite on his last two starts in Group 3 company. The drop back to 7f could suit the keen going 3-year-old and he’s very a much player on going that should suit.

Kempton

7:15 – Island Warrior – 13/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Returned from a 396-day absence to put in an improved effort when making all to win over C&D 21-days ago. That was the gelding’s first start since wind & gelding operations.  Looks on a competitive mark for his handicap debut, if he can overcome a wide draw in stall 11.

Cheers

John

Thursday Selections – October 8th 2020

Hi all,

Another very poor day for the service. Although as previously I think another winning run isn’t to far away.

Today’s four selections are from Chelmsford, Ayr and Thurles.

Chelmsford

7:00 – A Momentofmadness – 7/1 @ Bet365 – Hasn’t won for two years, but shaped like he retains some of his old ability when finishing 3rd of 11 at Goodwood back in July.  Disappointed when down the field in the valuable Portland Handicap at Doncaster, a race he won in 2018 and finished runner-up in 2019. He’s edging down to a winnable mark and hopes are pinned on a return to the synthetics – 4 wins from 7 runs +19.50 5 placed.  If the front runner can overcome stall 12, I’m hopeful of a big run from the 7-year-old with William Buick back in the saddle.

Ayr

2:40 – Sienna Dream – 3/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of a soft ground C&D handicap 12 months ago. The mare has been in consistent form this season with form figures 23332. She put in a career best effort on RPR’s when just touched off at Hamilton 37-days ago. Nudged up 1lb, at least she’s in better form than most of her rivals.

Thurles

3:45 – Foreign Legion – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 5-year-old, a four-time winner at Dundalk broke his maiden tag on grass at the 15th attempt when winning at Listowel 14-days ago. He seemed to relish his first run on heavy ground at Listowel. Raised 7lb by the handicapper but if the ground eases further today he can go close in his attempt at back to back wins.

4:15 – Brilliant Question – 6/1 @ Bet365 – A ten race maiden but the 3-year-old put in arguably a career best effort when 3rd of 16 at Limerick (soft to heavy) 27-days ago. Despite being slowly away she was very much in contention and still travelling well coming into the straight. If she can build on that performance she shouldn’t be far away again.

Cheers

John

Wednesday Selections – October 7th 2020

Hi all.

Today’s four selections are from Nottingham, Kempton and Navan.

Nottingham

1:00 – Rue De La Gaite – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner on the all-weather & soft when trained in France. Best two starts since coming over to England have come at Kempton, including when running on from off the pace to finish 5th of 13 last month.  A strongly run race on soft ground should suit the 3-year-old and Andrea Atzeni is 5-16 31% when combining with trainer Tom Clover.

Kempton

7:30 – Riot – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Steadily progressive last year before winning a novice over C&D last September. First run for 397-days but we know trainer John Gosden can prepare one off a long layoff and his record with 3-year-old handicappers at the track is – 13-40 33% +27.34 21 placed 53% in the past 5-years.

8:00 – Company Minx – 9/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – A winner on turf at Lingfield last season made a pleasing seasonal return when 5th of 19 at Ascot last month and followed up by finishing third at Lingfield 25-days ago. Stall 11 could be better but the filly looks interesting for the step up to 7f.

Navan

4:55 – Fearless Girl – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Has improved her RPR’s on each of her five career starts. A winner of a Killarney maiden (soft/heavy) two starts back.  Slowly away back at the same venue, she made eyecatching late headway to finish 4th of 10 on her handicap debut just 3-days ago. Provided this race doesn’t come to quick looks capable of going close.

Cheers

John

Tuesday Selections – October 6th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Catterick, Leicester and Lingfield.

Leicester

2:50 – Ainsdale – 100/30 @ Bet365 – Improved for rain softened ground with an October hat trick, 3-3 soft/heavy. Not seen out until finishing 4th of 11 at Haydock 10-days ago. That was promising effort from the 3-year-old who looks capable of winning another race, if he gets soft ground. Trainer form isn’t great at present but he will do for me.

Catterick

2:00 – Outrun The Storm – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Improved for the step into nursery company when coming from the rear to win at Ayr (good to soft) 18-days ago. He was slowly away that day so in the circumstances did well to win. Should be better at 7f and looks the sort to improve with more experience. Trainer Richard Fahey has won this race five times in the past ten years.

Lingfield

4:40 – Thunder Flash – 11/4 @ Bet365 – The selection won a small race C&D two starts back (awarded the race in the stewards’ room) before finishing 3rd of 15 back in a Windsor handicap last month. Clearly effective over C&D and looks open to a bit more improvement. Given his hold up style he wouldn’t want a slowly run race but provided he gets a good even gallop to chase should go close.

Cheers

John

Sunday Selections – October 4th 2020

Hi all,

Today’s selections are from Kelso, Killarney, and Longchamp. I’m off tomorrow so let’s hope we can sign off with a winner.

Kelso

2:30 – Stay Humble – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Was an encouraging 3rd of 5 in a Catterick novice chase on just his second start over the larger obstacles back in March. Fitness taken on trust but the 7-year-old looks the sort to progress further now going handicapping for the first time.

Killarney

2:55 – Fearless Girl – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection built on the promise of her 5th of 18 behind So Wonderful in a Curragh maiden when winning a C&D maiden 46-days ago. The handicapper seems to have underestimated her performance that day as he’s dropped her 2lb since that win. There should be more to come from the filly on her handicap debut and Sam Ewing takes off a handy 7lb.

Longchamp

3:50 – Tawkeel – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Unbeaten on her five career starts, including the Group 1 Prix Saint Alary in June, returned from a 69-day break to win a Group 2 at Deauville on very soft in August. This looks like it’s been her target and she should give favourite Alpine Star most to do.

Cheers

John

Saturday Selections – October 3rd 2020

Hi all,

Both Friday’s selection ran too form although neither ever looked like winning their respective races at Dundalk.

Today’s selections are from Newmarket and Ascot.

Newmarket

2:10- Oti Ma Boati – 4/1 @ Bet365 – The selection made it 2-2 when seeming to relish soft ground at Goodwood 36-days ago. Steps up to 1m 2f for the first time today but shaped last time like she would stay further than a mile. Very much on the shortlist for an inform yard.

3:20 – Ice Sprite – 4/1 @ Bet365 – On bare form the selection will do well to reverse recent Goodwood placings with Urban Artist. However, Urban Artist made all to win at a slow early gallop that day and the selection who has scope for further improvement will be suited by a better pace to chase and this stiffer track.

Ascot

1:20 – With Thanks – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Takes a big step in class after her recent Catterick novice win but looks worth a chance in pattern company. Lightly raced, the 3-year-old has only had the three career starts winning twice, both on heavy and has the potential for another step forward here in a race which is more open than it looks.

Cheers

John

Friday Selections – October 2nd 2020

Hi all,

Pink Sheets was a well backed winner for us at Warwick for a small profit to early advised prices.

Storm Alex is on the way and its likely to bring some heavy rain to parts of the UK over the next two days.  Which means I’m going to avoid the turf action and go over to Dundalk for a couple of selections on the all-weather.

Dundalk

7:15 – Irish Ambassador – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 4-year-old remains a maiden after ten starts but finished close-up in two C&D handicaps in the early part of the year. Returned from a 196-day lay off to finish 4th of 14 over C&D 14-days ago. Challenged on what looked the unfavoured inner last time so did well to get a close as he did.  There’s a handicap in the gelding off his present mark when all the cards fall right. Which hopefully will be tonight.

8:15 – Eaglemont – 3/1 @ Bet365 – Put in a career best when winning on his handicap debut here 7-days ago. Nudged up 8lb for his last week’s success by the 3-year-old is unexposed on the all-weather and should be suited by the step up to 1m 4f. Looks the one to beat.

Cheers

John

Thursday Selections – October 1st 2020

Hi all,

Unfortunately, we couldn’t continue maintain the recent winning streak as Master Milliner was cut down in the final 100yds and had to settle for the runners-up spot at Kempton yesterday. Today’s selections are from Warwick and Chelmsford.

Warwick

1:45 – Calum Gilhooley – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A bumper winner has returned from a 525-day absence in great form winning his last two starts over hurdles both at Newton Abbot. Seemed to get away with the drop back to 2m 2 ½ f last time and will be suited to a return to further for his handicap hurdle debut today. Has scope for further improvement and has a good chance of the hat trick.

2:55 – Pink Sheets – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Has improved with each of her three starts this season and made a winning handicap hurdle debut over C&D 10-days ago. Has a 7lb penalty to carry for that success but she’s capable of a bit more improvement in the sphere especially on good ground.

Chelmsford

7:00 – Always Fearless – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Stall 13 has me off last time out C&D winner Khaalis. The selection is better drawn in stall 4. The selections sole career win came in a novice here over 7f last October. Stamina seemed to run out over 1m 2f at Newbury last time and the 3-year-old will be suited by the drop back to a mile. Unexposed on the synthetics and shouldn’t be far away.

Cheers

John

Wednesday Selections – September 30th 2020

Hi all,

Keats kept the winning streak going yesterday. The weather could have a big influence on today’s racing with rain on the way.  It just depends on how much. I have to selections for today running at Nottingham & Kempton.

Nottingham

3:30 – Andaleep – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has been steadily progressive on the flat on his last three starts, all at Sandown. Made it 2-8 on the level when coming form the rear to win a strongly run 1m 2f handicap 19-days ago. Up 4lb for his last success and must prove his effectiveness away from a stiff right-handed track but given his present form, another good run should be forthcoming. He’s wins have come on good and good to soft.

Kempton

8:30 – Master Milliner – 6/1 @ Bet365 – The selection broke his maiden tag at the 7th attempt when running out a comfortable winner at Bath 28-days ago.  Handicapper has raised the 4-year-old 5lb for that success which doesn’t look harsh. The step up 2m should be within his stamina range and he gelding showed he handled the surface when runner-up here last October.

Cheers

John

Tuesday Selections – September 29th 2020

Hi all,

Three from three yesterday which helps to claw back some the previous week’s losses. Today I’m going across the Irish Sea for a couple of selections at Cork.

Cork

2:55 – Knights Of Malta –9/2 @ Paddy Power – Seemed to improve for good ground when 2nd of 8 at Listowel 7-days ago. If building on that effort can go close here.

4:35 – Keats – 4/1 @ Bet365 – The selection is a useful colt at his best and was running well in the early part of the season winning two of his first four starts. Bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts when 2nd of 11 in a Listed race at Listowel last week. Drop back to mile could suit and he looks best of the 3-year-old’s here.

Cheers

John