Hi all,
Just the one selection today from Ayr.
Ayr
3:23 – Glittering Love – 5/1 – Gen – Shaped like the run was needed when 6th of 11 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle 8-days ago. Back over fences today the previous C&D winner looks set to be there or thereabouts provided the ground hasn’t dried out too much.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
Today’s selections are from Cheltenham, Fontwell and Punchestown.
Cheltenham
1:45 – Empire De Maulde – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A thorough stayer as he showed when winning over 3m 2f at Kelso last month. Needs a sound surface to be seen at his best but if he gets it will be tough to beat off a 5lb higher mark than last time.
Fontwell
3:10 – Gleno – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Looked the sort to do better over longer trips than 3m when staying to win in the shadow of the post at Chepstow in April over 2m 7 ½ f. Looked and raced liked the run, was needed when a 34-length 2nd of 5 at Exeter 26-days ago. The 9-year-old has won here over hurdles in the past and is 4-9 on good ground so looks set for a big run.
Punchestown
1;30 – Heaven Help Us – 5/1 @ Bet365 – Might be better going left-handed but she has a good chance back against on her own sex on her easy win in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. Ground should be fine and she has gone well off a layoff in the past. If she’s ready roll on her return for the first time since April should be there or thereabouts.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
Today’s selections are from Lingfield and Cheltenham.
Lingfield
1:20 – One Small Step -11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The filly had form on the all-weather around this time last year, including over C&D. A winner at Windsor in July, off 4lb lower, she was unlucky to finish closer when 1 ¾ lengths 4th of 7 at Haydock in September. Can race off the same mark here and remains on a winnable mark.
Cheltenham
12:30 – Knight Salute – 9/2 @ Bet365 – Made it 2-2 since going over hurdles when winning at Kempton last month. Both the 3-year-old’s wins have come on good ground. Capable of better in the sphere for a trainer Milton Harris who is 5-9 + 11.21 with his runners in the past 14-days.
3:55 – Whiskey Express – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Trainer Harry Fry has saddled the winner of this Mares’ Listed bumper twice since 2014, including 2019 dead heated winner Ishkhara Lady and he relies on the latter’s half sister in this year’s renewal. The 5-year-old is having her first since wind surgery and first since making a winning racecourse debut at Taunton in March. Overcame greenness to win that day and looks sure to improve further this season.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
Today’s selections are from Newcastle and Kempton.
Newcastle
12:50 – King Of South – 3/1 @ Bet365 – The selection is 3-5 here, including over C&D and is just 2lb above his last winning mark. Likely needed the run when last of seven at Doncaster (soft) last month. That was his first run for 7-months and also his first start on turf. The return to to the tapeta can hopefully so him return to winning ways.
Kempton
6:30 – Alphonse Le Grande – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Put in an improved effort when a strong finishing ½ length 2nd of 13 over C&D last month. That was his first start for nine weeks and his first run since a gelding operation. Nudged up 2lb for that effort but is better drawn here than he was last time.
8:00 – Clownsman – 8/1 @ Bet365 – Put in a career best effort when a 1¼ lengths 3rd of 11 over C&D 14-days ago. That was just the 3-year-old’s third start in a handicap and he looks up to winning a handicap like this. Has a good draw in stall 3 and it will be interesting to see of the money arrives for him like it did last time.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
The poor run continues, not if you have been laying them, so we must be due another winning streak. Today’s selections are from Sedgefield, Taunton, and Chelmsford.
Sedgefield
1:12 – Little Orange – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection ran well on his return from a 6-month absence when a ½ length 2nd of 12 in novice handicap chase at Kelso 19-days ago. He was doing his best work at the finish over 2m 1f and should by today’s step up to 2m 3 ½ f.
Taunton
3:35 – Laura Bullion – 9/2 @Bet365 – Twice a winner when trained in Ireland by Noel Meade she ran a good race under top-weight when 8 ½ length 2nd of 6 at Plumpton last month. Hard to say she has anything in hand of her present mark but given the form of the Olly Murphy yard looks set for a good run.
Chelmsford
8:00 – Marie Paradis – 13/2 @ Bet365 – The fitting of the first-time blinkers and the drop back to a mile could be the making of the lightly raced filly who is having only her third start in handicap company. The booking of Hollie Doyle is an encouraging one and I think the 3-year-old can go close in what looks a weak race.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
Today’s selections are from Bangor, Exeter, and Kempton.
Bangor
12:30 – Zolfo – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – A chance is taken with the ground versatile selection given he’s a four-time course winner and his form figures over C&D are F1211, including this race in 2019. Last season was a write off for the 9-year-old but that means he’s now 9lb below his last winning mark and the yard is among the winners in the past two weeks.
Exeter
1:40 – Lord Accord – 9/4 – Gen – A useful hurdler, the selection made a winning debut over fences at Uttoxeter last month, showing a good attitude to get up on the run-in. Won over this sort of distance over hurdles and the step up in trip can bring out more improvement in the 6-year-old who is just 3lb higher than when successful last time.
Kempton
6:00 – Mc’Ted – 6/1 – Gen – The selection has improved for the step into handicap on his last two starts, finishing a ½ length 4th of 13 over C&D two starts back and length 3rd of 11 at Newcastle last time. Races off the same mark here and whilst stall 13 isn’t ideal he looks capable of winning handicap like this.
8:00 – First Charge – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Has really improved for the step up to 2m winning at Wolverhampton and following up at Newcastle 15-days ago. Up 4lb for the latest of those wins but the 4-year-old looks capable of a bit better if as effective on the polytrack as the tapata surface.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
Just the one selection today from Sandown. Hopefully we can sign out with a winner as I’m off on Monday & Tuesday. Back on Wednesday.
Sandown
1:00 – Fifty Ball – 5/2 @Bet365 – Twice a winner over hurdles last season’ at Ascot and here. Career best over hurdles when a 3-length 2nd of 23 to Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Well down the field in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on his final start last season but the 6-year-old remains a good prospect. Takes on experienced rivals here but is taken to make a winning debut over fences.
Cheers
John
Hi all
Today’s selections are from Aintree and Wincanton.
Aintree
12:33 – Our Jet – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Dan Skelton saddled the winner of this novice hurdle last year and in 2017. He has good chance of landing a third success with the selection today. First start since finishing third in an Irish point last season
3:55 – Legionar – 2/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Showed up for a long way, travelling like a horse who can win races in the sphere when a 4¼ lengths third of 11 to Alazwar in junior bumper at Huntingdon last time. That run came over 1m 5 ½ f and the step up to 2m 1f looks a positive.
Wincanton
12:40 – Kauto The King – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Looked much improved back on quick ground when landing a hat trick of wins in the spring, including over C&D in March. Winning run came to an end in a hot race at Uttoxeter in May. First start 160-days but the yard is going well, the ground is in his favour and the 7-year-old is just 1lb higher than for his last win.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
A frustrating day on Thursday for the service. However, I think we can get back to winning ways today. Friday’s selections are from Warwick, Hexham and Dundalk.
Warwick
2:30 – Mercutio Rock – 100/30 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power – Not seen out since an eyecatching 12 lengths 4th of 12 in a Uttoxeter novice hurdle last December. Looked the sort to do well when going handicapping and makes his handicap debut here off a workable mark of 110. This will be the 5-year-old’s first start on ground better than soft but if handles he should go close here.
Hexham
12:30 – Lord Caprio – 9/4 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 6-year-old gained his second C&D success two starts back and confirmed that he remains in form when a 5 ¼ lengths 3rd of 9 at Sedgefield last month. Not ideally placed last time and Hexham’s stiffer track plays more to his strengths. Kevin Brogan takes off a handy 3lb and I will be disappointed if the selection can’t add a third C&D win today.
Dundalk
6:45 – Rosie Rock – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Remains a maiden after 11 runs but she’s been knocking on the door on her last two starts over C&D. Needs a strong pace to chase, stall 13 isn’t ideal, but if the race is set up for the closers and the pace forecast suggests it could then she’s got a great chance of belated first career success.
Cheers
John
Hi all,
It’s been back to basics in the past couple of days i.e., chisel out a profit each day. Let’s hope the strategy can deliver again today. Today’s selections are from Newbury, Chelmsford, and Thurles.
Newbury
2:30 – Didtheyleaveuoutto – 7/2 @ Bet365 – Shaped well after a 3-month absence when a length 2nd of 17 to Orbys Legend in the valuable Silver Trophy at Chepstow last time. Held up, he was set plenty to do that day but finished his race off strongly. It was a career best effort over hurdles from the 8-year-old and even though he’s been raised 5lb for that performance he remains on a good mark. Stamina for three miles over hurdles must be proven but he races like he needs it and the forecast ground will be ideal.
Chelmsford
4:55 – Indeed – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Lightly raced since the summer of 2019 and has just had the two starts since joining the Sylvester Kirk yard. Shaped as if retaining plenty ability when returning from a 14-month layoff when 2 lengths sixth of 18 in a valuable handicap at York’s Ebor Festival in August. His hit and miss profile was once again evident when well beaten in the Cambridgeshire. Would win this if running to his York form and he’s 1-1 (C&D) on the all-weather.
Thurles
12:45 – Defan – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The selection won a heavy ground maiden hurdle at Limerick last November and has made a good start to his chase career winning at the third attempt at Listowel (good) last time. The handicapper has raised the 5-year-old 8lb for that success but he’s open to further progress over the larger obstacles and today’s softer ground will suit.
Cheers
John