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Hi all,

A good win by Boldmere at Doncaster but the drying ground at Leopardstown probably went against Cavalry Master. A small profit on the day which is all that matters. Today’s selections run at Haydock & Taunton.

Haydock

2:35 – Theatre Legend – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Has developed into consistent handicap hurdler who put in a career best effort when runner-up to Cornerstone Lad at Wetherby 44-days ago. This is just the 6-year-old’s second start beyond 2m 1f but he should stay. Probably vulnerable to any progressive types in the field but should be there or thereabouts.

3:10 – Charmix – 5/1 – Gen – The selection hasn’t won since January 2017, but he returned from 552-day absence to run finish an encouraging 3^rd of 10 behind Sammy Bill at Aintree 23-days ago. That was the 9-year-old’s first start for new trainer Lucinda Russell, and he’s entitled to be sharper now. If this race doesn’t come to soon he looks capable of going close.

Taunton

1:50 – Elite Garde – 3/1 – Gen – Has already shown that he’s a much better chaser than a hurdler. The 5-year-old has won both his starts since switching to fences this season. Winning at Huntingdon & latterly at Leicester. Idled on the run-in last time, so is value for the than the final margin if victory suggests. Richard Johnson booked for the ride today and 6lb rise in the weights might not prevent the hat trick if he handles the slightly softer ground here.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Wins by Life Isfor Living & Delta Work made it an excellent Saturday for the service. Can we continue the winning festive run on Sunday?

Kelso

2:00 – Smiths Cross – 7/1 – Gen – Trainer Michael Scudamore normally makes his visits to the Scottish track a winning one. In the past 5-years he’s had 5 winners from 12 runners 42% +14.57. He has just the one runner here today in Smiths Cross. The 7-year-old had made a promising chase debut at Carlisle but has disappointed on both starts since. The step up in distance to 2m 6 ½ f should suit and if bouncing back to the form of his Carlisle run is more than capable of winning a race like this.

Doncaster

2:45 – Boldmere – 7/2 @ William Hill – The selection takes a step up in class here after his recent win at Leicester. This is just the 6-year-old’s third start over the larger obstacles but he’s going the right way and a 10lb rise in the handicap may not stop him winning again. Stamina for 3m will be tested but he will be tough to beat.

Leopardstown

3:05 – Cavalry Master – 4/1 @ Unibet & Paddy Power – Represents the inform Henry De Bromhead stable. The trainer won this race in 2016 and Cavalry Master comes into the race after a battling win in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last month. The 5-year-old should develop into a good chaser in time but he’s capable of winning a race like this over hurdles. Makes his handicap hurdle debut and is open to plenty of improvement for this step up to 2m 4 ½ f.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Just A Sting at 9/2 provided a decent enough profit on Friday.

Limerick

2:15 – Life Isfor Living – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection remains a maiden after 10 runs under rules but put in a career best when runner-up over C&D last time. Up 3lb for that effort at least we know the 6-year-old goes well on the track and on soft/heavy ground.

Leopardstown

2:35 – Encore Lui – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & William Hill – Has gone up 5lb for finishing runner-up on his last two starts in handicap hurdle company. Looks worth another go over 2m 4f and today’s longer distance may allow the 6-year-old to jump more accurately than he did last time at Navan.

3:10 – Delta Work – 6/1 @ Paddy Power & William Hill – A top class staying novice chaser finishing third in the RSA Novices’ Chase before going onto win a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Was only 4^th of 5 behind Road To Respect & Clan Des Obeaux on his seasonal return and first chase start out of novice company.  Is surely better than that bare form and if he’s to be considered a serious Gold Cup contender needs to be back to his best novice chase form. Won the Grade 1 novice chase here 12 months ago so no problems with the course and I’m expecting a much better run from the 6-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Leopardstown

2:20 – Poseidon – 13/2 @ bet365 – The selection impressed when winning a Limerick maiden hurdle 28-days ago and makes his handicap hurdle debut off what looks a winnable mark of 127.

Kempton

3:05 – Just A Sting – 9/2 – Gen – The selection won his first two starts over fences last season before finishing runner-up in this race 12 months ago off 3lb higher. Seemed to lose his way on his final two starts of last season but made a promising return to action 4^th of 13 in the Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton. The 7-year-old still very much in contention when making a race ending mistake four out. Was well backed at Wincanton and that market support suggests connections think he’s on a winnable mark.

3:35 – Eddiemaurice – 9/1 @ Bet365 – Was runner-up in this race in 2017 and won it 12 months ago off 1lb lower. This year’s renewal does look stronger, but 8-year-old looks set for another big run at a track that he clearly goes well at.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Clem A did the business yesterday evening at Wolverhampton to get the service back among the winners.

Haydock

2:40 – Daklondike – 9/2 @ Paddy Power – The 7-year-old won this race 12 months ago on heavy ground off 6lb lower. Should be spot on for this after two runs this autumn and if you fancy, he him I wouldn’t put you off at all. Especially as he’s 3 wins from 3 runs on heavy ground and 3 wins from 3 in December.

3:15 – Chti Balko – 7/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Twice a winner of heavy ground hurdle races at the track relishes the mud. Three of his four career wins have come on heavy and he’s got 83% win & place strike rate on such going.  He showed one again his liking for a tight hurdle track when almost making all to win at Bangor 38-days ago. The handicapper has raised him 9lb for his ten-length success but it’s worth remembering the 7-year-old is 3lb lower than when a length third over C&D in November last year.

Newcastle

1:40 – Dubai Way – 3/1 – Gen – Returned to action with a decisive win on soft ground at Wetherby last month. The selection has been raised 9lb for that win but is capable of more improvement over fences. Five of the 7-year-old’s six career wins have come on soft/heavy ground so no issues with the rain softened ground.  Big chance of following up here.  

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was a case of hitting the crossbar on Thursday but both selections ran well although with a better start Elzaam’s Dream would surely have won at Wolverhampton.

Dundalk

8:15 – Monsieur Piquer – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – The selection seemed to bounce back to form when 2^nd of 14, beaten 1 ¾ lengths, 17-days ago. That performance came over 1m 4f but the drop back to 1m 2 ½ shouldn’t be too much of an issue.  The 3-year-old has been dropped 1lb and does look capable of a bit more improvement.

Wolverhampton

8:30 – Clem A – 13/2 @ Bet365 – A winner on turf back in August, off 1lb lower. The selection wasn’t disgraced when 5^th of 13 on his first start on the surface 13-days ago. That was his first start for 72-days, so he’s entitled to be fitter today. The extra furlong should suit and Adam Kirby has been booked for the ride.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today’s four selections are from Exeter, Hereford & Wolverhampton.

Exeter

2:20 – Vinnie Dev – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A winner of Uttoxeter novice hurdle on his debut under rules last month. The selection wasn’t disgraced, under his penalty, trying to give Valtor 5lb at Ascot 26-days ago. Handicap hurdle debut today off a workable mark of 122. Trainer Noel Williams told the Racing Post “I’m toying with the idea of sneaking him into something like the Lanzarote, but he would have to earn the right to run in it and take another step forward”.If he’s to be competitive in a race like that he should be going close here. Uttoxeter win cam e on soft so the going shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the 5-year-old.

2:50 – Bellamy’s Grey – 5/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Improved on his handicap chase debut, when beaten a length into second at Fontwell 32-days ago. That run came over 2m 5 ½ f but he’s bred for today’s 3 mile trip and if the first time cheekpieces work the trick he’s capable of winning off a mark of 99.

Hereford

12:40 – Chloe’s Court – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Seems to be a steady improver over hurdles. The 6-year-old put in career best effort when a close-up 3^rd of 9 at Plumpton last month. Both the winner & runner-up have gone onto win since so the form looks reliable enough.

Wolverhampton

6:00 – Elzaam’s Dream – 3/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Put in a career best when 2^nd of 9 over C&D 17-days ago. The selection has been nudged up 2lb for that effort but she’s unexposed over 7f on the all-weather and she should get a decent pace to chase

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Today selections race at Ludlow & Dundalk.

Ludlow

3:10 – Samson’s Reach – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook – Shaped like he could be returning to winning form when 4^th 0f 9 at Haydock 14-days ago. Slight drop in trip should suit as he seemed to find his stamina running out over 2m 7f last time. Back down to a winnible mark should this be a going day for the 6-year-old.

Dundalk

4:30 – May Remain – 11/8 – Gen – The selection had been in great form winning two of his last three starts here. Last of those wins came 5-days ago. Has a 6lb penalty for that success and carries top-weight of 10-4 but Ben Coen takes off a useful 3lb and not even the drop back to 5f should prevent another win for the 4-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The Long Mile did the business for us at Naas on Monday.

There are no selections today. Back tomorrow.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Plumpton

1:45 – Clondaw Bisto – 8/1 @ Bet365 or 13/2 – Gen – The selections sole win came in a heavy ground bumper on his racecourse debut in February 2016. His best performance last season came over C&D 12 months ago when 2^nd of 9 to The Tin Miner. Although he was ultimately beaten 8 lengths by the winner at the finish but for a bad mistake three out, he would surely have got closer. Well beaten on his next two start but races off the same mark as 12 months ago and handles soft/heavy ground.

Naas

3:00 – The Long Mile – 5/1 @ Bet365 or 9/2 Gen – Looks capable of improvement stepping into handicap chase company for the first time. The 5-year-old has been well beaten on three starts in beginners chase but can do better off a mark of 104.

Cheers

John