Hi all,
Today’s selections are from Down Royal & Aintree.
Down Royal
1:45 – Palace Rock – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – The 6-year-old was a good 2nd of 14 in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle last Christmas. Looked a potential improver over hurdles that day and shaped with plenty of encouragement for this when a 2 ¼ length 4th of 13 on the flat at Dundalk in September.
2:20 – Envoi Allen – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – I’m taking on the returning Gerri Colombe with last year’s winner in the Grade 1 feature. Envoi Allen loves Down Royal four wins from four runs, and this is his Gold Cup. If Rachel Blackmore can get the 9-year-old into a nice rhythm, like she did last year, I think he can defend his crown. That said I wouldn’t be surprised if any of the four runners won.
Aintree
1:35 – Iwilldoit – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – Former Welsh Grand National (2021) and Classic Chase winner (2023) goes well fresh. He returns here over hurdles off a 13lb lower mark than over fences and will like underfoot conditions.
Cheers
John