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Hi all,

Plumpton

1:30 – Legend Of France – 9/2 @ William Hill & Paddy Power – The selection won over C&D on her seasonal reappearance last December. Returns for a 276-day break today, off 6lb higher than her last win. Last year’s win came on soft ground so no issues with underfoot conditions.

Wolverhampton

1:20 – Lafontaine – 11/2 @ William Hill & Paddy Power –  Battled on well to win at Kempton 13-days ago. Up 4lb for that win and must prove as effective on the tapeta but if she handles it won’t be far away again. Thomas Greatrex takes off 3lb which means most of her rise in the ratings has been negated.

2:20 – Steal The Scene – 10/3 – Gen – The 7-year-old’s last win came four years ago. However, he’s shaped like a win isn’t far away on two of his last three starts around here. On both occasions he hasn’t found a clear run when trying to make his effort most notably 19-days ago.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

All today’s selections run at Fontwell.

Fontwell

12:55 – Éclair De Guye – 5/2 @ Paddy Power –  Ran well for a long way on his chase debut over 3m at Southwell 24-days ago. Drop back in trip should be in the 5-year-old’s favour today and he looks to have started his chasing career off a workable mark.

2:05 – Colonel Custard – 5/2 @ William Hill – The selection won two of his six starts over hurdles last season, both on rain softened ground. Sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las on his seasonal reappearance. Looked like he was coming to win his race two out but faded two out and eventually finished 3^rd of 10. Drops into calmer waters here and is the one to beat.

2:40 – Captain Cattistock – 11/4 @ Paddy Power – Should be all the better for his seasonal reappearance at Wincanton 21-days ago. Looked in need of the run that day and probably found the going lively enough. Lightly raced over fences just the five starts, including two wins one here in April.  The 6-year-old is better with some juice in the ground and is expected to be suited by the step up to 3m 3 ½ f. Trainer Paul Nicholls has a good record at the track and he thinks the selection could be a Welsh Grand National contender. He would need to a win this if he’s to take his place in a race of that quality.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A welcome winner with Rockview Roman doing the business at Dundalk last evening and both Friday other selections finishing 2^nd and 4^th in their respective races.

Today’s selections race at Cheltenham, Wetherby & Wolverhampton

Cheltenham

12:05 – Thyme Hill – 6/4 – Gen – Trainer Philip Hobbs described the 5-year-old as one of his best novice hurdlers after his win in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance. Must give a 5lb penalty away to his seven rivals here and faces much softer ground than at Chepstow but he ran well enough on soft when 3^rd here in the Champion Bumper at last season’s Festival. Trainer won this race in 2011 with Fingal Bay. Looks the one to beat.

Wetherby

3:20 – Aristo Du Plessis – 4/1 – Gen – Ran well for a long way on his seasonal reappearance when 4^th of 12 over C&D 15-days ago. The 9-year-old should be all the better for that run and he goes well over C&D – 3 wins from 6 runs +9.50. He’s yet to win heavy – 0 wins from 3 runs – but is very effective on soft – 3 wins from 5 runs +8.88.  Last win came her in December off 9lb higher so is on a competitive mark.

Wolverhampton

4:15 – Gottardo – 3/1 @ Coral & William Hill – The 4-year-old has been knocking on the door on his last four starts at Newcastle last time and here two starts back. Seemed to appreciate the step to a mile at Newcastle and has good chance of notching his first win since March.

7:45 – Dark Side Dream – 15/2 @ William Hill – A previous C&D winner. The 7-year-old was suited by the strong pace when 2^nd of 9 here 23-days ago. Nudged up 2lb higher for that performance but he’s won off higher marks in the past.  Capable of gong close if he gets another good pace to chase.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I’m off to Dundalk this evening in search of a winner or two.

Dundalk

6:45 – Sky Seven – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes – Just the two career wins for the 3-year-old but both have come at this venue. Has been knocking on the door on his last two starts here over a mile. Stall 3 should be a good draw and although he shapes like he be suited by the step to today’s distance, needs to settle better than he has sometimes in previous races.

7:15 – Rockview Roman – 9/2 – Gen – Lightly raced, just the six starts, made a winning debut on the all-weather when finding plenty for pressure to win in decisive fashion over C&D last month. Up 6lb for that win but capable of more progress. He overcame a wide draw that day and although he’s not got a great draw again, can go close.

8:15 – Enchanted One – 3/1 – Gen – Shaped with promise on his all-weather debut when 2^nd of 14, over 6f, 9-days ago. Steps up to a mile today and nudged up 2lb for his last effort but has a win in him off this sort of mark.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Ludlow

1:50 – Seeanythingyoulike – 10/3 @ Bet365 & William Hill – Is 0-15 under rules but is on a competitive mark and is just 1lb higher than when 3^rd of 10 at Wincanton 28-days ago. More experienced over fences than most which could prove vital in the closing stages of the race although is vulnerable to any unexposed chasers.

2:55 – Uhlan Bute – 11/2 @ Bet365 – Isn’t the most consistent of horse as a 5-58 career record shows but the 11-year-old is a previous course winner and is 9lb lower than when beaten a neck by Kilfilum Cross over C&D back in February. Well beaten on his seasonal return but should strip fitter today and is suited to soft ground. To well handicapped to ignore.

Taunton

4:10 – Le Ligerien –6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A good ground maiden hurdle winner at Fontwell in March. The 6-year-old probably 2m 3f, on soft ground, back at that venue to much on his seasonal reappearance 22-days ago. Drop in trip and return to good ground should be in his favour and trainer Philip Hobbs continues to have his horses run well.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Ayr

2:15 – Off The Hook – 11/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – The selection got off the mark at the 8^th attempt over hurdles when winning a C&D maiden in January. Ended last season with respectable 4^th of 14 in the EBF Mares Hurdle Final at Newbury in March. Sole career win came on good to soft, but she’s’ got form on even softer going. First run for 235-days so fitness must be taken on trust but her stable is among the winners.

Exeter

2:00 – Western Climate – 7/1 @ Bet365 – Despite form figures of 0PPPP last season the 10-year-old was sent off the 100/30 favourite for a Stratford handicap chase on his first start for trainer Henry Oliver 25-days ago. Such market confidence suggested connections felt they had a well handicapped horse on their hands. Such confidence was warranted as he was still in contention when falling at the last. Capable of winning if his confidence hasn’t been dented by that fall.

2:35 – Southern Sam – 8/1 – Gen – The 5-year-old had five starts over hurdles last season. Best performance came when finishing 5^th in of 18 in the valuable EBF Novices’ Hurdle Final at Sandown in March. The selection then followed up with a novice hurdle win at Uttoxeter in May. First start since that win and his first start over the larger obstacles in what looks a decent novices handicap chase.  Trainer Oliver Sherwood has always seen him as chaser in the making and he should be suited by the step up to 3m. Looks on a competitive mark and capable of a bold show if fully tuned up.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Both today’s selections run at Hereford.

Hereford

2:00 – Jurys Out – 3/1 @ Paddy Power – The 5-year-old won a handicap hurdle at Carlisle back in March and is expected to do well over fences this winter. Carlisle win came on soft ground so the recent easing of the ground should be in his favour. Trainer Venetia Williams is 5-19 26% +11.13 with her chasers at Hereford and has her horses in winning form. Big run can be expected.

3:00 – Town Parks – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power –  Form figures around here are 21P2 with the win coming over C&D in January 2018, off 2lb higher. Best run of last season came at the course so a return to the venue looks a plus for the 8-year-old. Made a perfectly satisfactory seasonal reappearance when 5^th of 12 at Stratford 12-days ago. He should be all the better for that run and looks on a competitive mark.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Keep Moving provided a welcome winner at 5/1 yesterday with the two other selections running well to finish runner-up in their respective races. Today’s selections go at Ffos Las & Navan.

Ffos Las

3:05 – Pobbles Bay – 2/1 @ William Hill – Returned to action with an encouraging 2^nd of 11 in a better race at Uttoxeter 23-days ago. A winner here over fences in April he handles soft ground well and stay further than 3m so he can make his stamina pay. Will be returning to staying chases sooner rather later but interesting that connections continue over hurdles here.

4:10 – Bells Of Peterboro – 7/2 @ Bet365 – The selection put in an improved performance on his seasonal reappearance when 3^rd of 15 at Stratford 22-days ago. Looks capable of more progress over hurdles on his just his second start over hurdles. Handled the soft ground at Stratford and set to go close here.

Navan

3:15 – Fakir D’oudairies – 5/2 @ William Hill & Bet365 – Makes his Irish chase debut, ran twice over fences when trained in France as 3-year-old, in what looks a warm beginners chase. Interesting that connections waste no time in sending the 4-year-old over fences. Smart juvenile hurdle form when fourth in the Supreme Novices at the Cheltenham, before finishing runner-up in Grade 1’s behind Pentland Hills at Aintree and Fusil Raffles at the Punchestown Festival. Has the size to make a chaser, will like the soft ground and can take advantage of the 8lb he gets from likely favourite Melon.

I’m off tomorrow so the next selections will be on Tuesday.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A case of close, but no cigar yesterday. Today’s selections run at Aintree and Wincanton.

Aintree

12:20 – Present Value – 6/1 – Gen Trainer Evan Williams wastes no time sending the 5-year-old chasing. Three starts over hurdles when. Runner-up to Al Dancer on his racecourse debut 12 months ago. He then followed in good style at Chepstow.  A shade disappointing when only 3^rd when last seen at Exeter back in March. Bred to do well over fences and looks capable of winning off his present mark.

1;30 – Baby King – 5/1 @ Ladbrokes & William Hill – The selection won this race in 2017 on soft ground and seasonal reappearance. Not so good in it 12 months ago but that was on good ground and trainer Tom George is in better form this time around. Granted the selection is now a 10-year-old and not as good as he was two years ago but his win at Ludlow on his final start of last season, off 1lb lower showed he’s still capable of winning.

Wincanton

1:15 – Keep Moving – 4/1 – Gen –The 7-year-old ended last season with a good ground win at Chepstow in April, off 5lb lower. Sent off the 7/2 favourite on his Exeter seasonal reappearance he was still in contention when falling two out. Remains on a competitive mark, if his confidence hasn’t been affected by his recent fall.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Diablo De Rouhet got me off the cold list yesterday with a good win at Newbury to make it a small profit on the day to advised early prices. Today’s selection go at Hexham & Newcastle.

Hexham

3:15 – Smugglers Stash – 10/3 @ William Hill – The selection returns from a massive 571-day absence today and has the burden of top-weight to carry. However, 9-year-old will relish the going twice a winner on heavy and four of his top five RPR’s have come on heavy or soft.  A previous C&D winner he also finished runner-up in this corresponding race two years ago. Looks on a winnable mark and should appreciate the class drop.

Newcastle

7:05 – Swansdown – 9/4 – Gen – Finally got her head in front at the 11^th attempt when winning over a mile here 7-days ago. She met a bit of trouble a furlong out that day and with a clearer run would probably have won by more than a length. Drops back to 7f but she showed a decent enough change of pace once in the clear to think she won’t be inconvenienced by it.A quick return to action, under her 6lb penalty, and if this race doesn’t come to quick she got a great chance of making it back to back wins.

8:05 – Gleaming Arch – 6/1 @ Bet365 – Came from off the pace to win over C&D two starts ago. Tried the same last time but found the line coming to quick when a 1 ½ length 4^th of 14. Needs them to go hard up front with the pace maps suggesting he should get the race run to suit. No reason why he shouldn’t be competitive again.

Cheers

John