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Hi all,

The first day of the Aintree Grand National Festival and I have couple of selections from that meeting.

Aintree

1:45 – La Bague Au Roi –13/8 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes – Is the one they all have to beat on form. The mare has won all four of her starts over fences. She missed Cheltenham to come here and hopefully connections decision to miss that festival will be rewarded.

2:50 – Clan Des Obeaux – 5/2 @ William Hill & Bet365 –  I’m a bit surprised that the King George winner isn’t the favourite. The 7-year-old impressed when winning at Kempton and then at Ascot in February. Looked like he either failed to get 3m 2f, when 5^th in the Gold Cup, and/or wasn’t suited by the track. The return to a flat track and today’s drop-in trip to 3m 1f should be more in his favour.

Chelmsford

7:00 – Main Street – 13/2 @ Paddy Power – The selection is interesting returning to Chelmsford, 2 wins from 2 runs, including C&D, for his previous trainer. Now with David Elsworth, the 4-year-old ran well when a close up 3^rd at Lingfield two starts back. Has a strong form although he needs to settle better than he did on his last run.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

On the eve of the Aintree Grand National Festival, I have selections running at Kempton & Wincanton.

Kempton

7:15 – Rashdan – 4/1 – Gen – The selection makes his seasonal reappearance off what looks a winnable mark, 1lb lower than for his last win at Newcastle back in July. Has won off a layoff in the past so shouldn’t lack for fitness.  Doesn’t find as much as expected in a finish and the cheekpieces return, replacing the visor the 4-year-old won on his last start.

Wincanton

4:45 – Tomorrow Mystery – 6/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Ran as well as could be expected when 3^rd of 8 at Taunton 34-days ago, on her first run since a wind op. The mare makes her handicap debut against her own sex today and drops back in trip.  A winner on the flat in 2017 for her previous trainer. There should be a race like this in the 5-year-old.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was a hitting the cross-bar sort of day.

Lingfield

4:30 – Queen Of Paris – 9/2 @ Bet365 & William Hill –  The selection remains a maiden after six starts but has shown enough to suggest there is a modest handicap in here off a mark of 64. Ran well enough at Kempton on her last start when 4^th of 12 but look like she needs a good even gallop to be seen at her best.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The racing isn’t great today, but I have couple of selections from Chelmsford and Ludlow.

Chelmsford

4:45 – Agent Basterfield – 9/2 – Gen – The 3-year-old improved with each of his three starts as a juvenile over 7f & 1m. Steps up to a 1m 2f for his handicap debut today and the new distance can bring out further progress in the son of Raven’s Pass.

Ludlow

4:25 – Mabela – 10/3 – Gen – The mare made a winning handicap debut at Huntingdon 19-days ago. The step up to 2m 4 ½ f clearly helped her. Only won by a neck but the margin of her victory underestimates here. The handicapper has raised her 5lb for that narrow win which looks fair as she remains open to further improvement.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Saturday can be a right minefield to negotiate so I am not disappointed that I gave yesterday a swerve.

I have a couple of selections for you on Sunday.

Ascot

3:55 – Highway One O One – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection could well get an uncontested lead here and if he does the 7-year-old could be hard to peg back. Looks more than capable of winning a handicap chase like this on his second placed effort at Cheltenham two starts. His trainer Chris Gordon is 3 winners from 7 runners 37% in the past 14-days which has to be considered another positive.

Doncaster

3:45 – Willie John – 11/8 @ William Hill & Coral – The 4-year-oldwon his sole start as a juvenile for William Haggas before a 1,900,000gns switch to the Roger Varian stable. Not seen out until August when winning a novice here over 1m 2f. Looked a potential Group horse that day. Last of seven when last seen in action in a Group 3 at Longchamp back in September. He’s surely better than that form and can make up for lost time as a 4-year-old. Trainer Roger Varian had a winner on Saturday and is 5 winners from 9 runners 55% with his runners at this meeting since 2014. Slight query about 1m 4f on pedigree but if he stays, he should win.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another winner on Friday.

There are no selections today on what looks a trappy days racing.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A good win for King of Realms at Warwick on Thursday.

Lingfield

3:35 – El Ghazwani – 2/1  – Gen –  A winner over C&D three starts back. The 4-year-old wasn’t disgraced when 8^th of 13 at Kempton when last seen on the track. The return to C&D and a first time tongue tie can help him back into the winners enclosure.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Not great yesterday.

I have the one selection today running at Warwick.

Warwick

2:45 – King Of Realms – 9/4 – Gen – The selection made a winning start at Ascot on his chase debut back in November before disappointing, albeit, in Grade 2 at Doncaster on his next start. Step back in the right direction but probably had an easier opportunity at Exeter 67-days ago,  The addition of the first time visor looks a good move.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Market Rasen

4:50 – Sigurd –9/2 @ Bet365 –  Not the most consistent of horses but capable of landing this if in the right mood. Sole career win came here on April 2017. Ran really, well when 2^nd of 17 ay Wetherby 36-days ago off a 1lb lower. Has since had a wind -op and gets the first time cheekpieces.

Kempton

7:30 – Crystal Casque – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The four-year-old was in good form in the autumn with two placed efforts here over a furlong shorter. Off 137-day but if she’s fully tuned up looks capable of another good run.

8:00 – Corazon Espinado – 7/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes-  Should be all the fitter for his last run when 5^th of 10 over C&D 16-day ago and can race off 2lb lower here. Looks set to go well.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Another day where finding solid betting opportunities are in short supply.

Hereford

2:00 – Lamh Ar Lamh –11/4 – Gen –Is a mare in form having won at Taunton 7-days ago. Drops back in distance today and the ground is much quicker, has form on good, but she races off the same mark as last week and has a good chance of following up in a similar race. Trainer Nigel Hawke has a great record with last time out winners following up on their next start 24 winners from 78 runners 31% +29.53 A/E 1.41 41 placed 53%, including 5 winners from 9 runners 56% +6.86 A/E 1.49 7 placed 78% with those running within 7-days.

Cheers

John