Hi all,
I’m back from kidney surgery. Pain and soreness are still there so I’m coming back at a slow gentle pace. That said It’s great to be back. Not sure how I will feel if it’s a losing day though.
Three selections for today with one of them from the first day of the Punchestown Festival.
Chelmsford
6:55 – Field Gun – 5/2 @ Paddy Power or 2/1 -Gen – Just got his head in front when winning on his stable debut over C&D two starts back and put in a career best when dropping back to 6f at Lingfield 28-days ago. Both his wins have come at the track and he’s lightly raced for his age so remain open to a bit more progress.
Nottingham
3:35 – Black Lotus – 9/2 @ Coral & William Hill – Improved last season for going handicapping, winning two of he five starts. Both wins came with William Buick in the saddle 2 wins from 2 rides. Granted both wins came over 1m 2f so the drop back to a mile is a slight unknown and it’s her seasonal reappearance too on good to soft. The filly will be suited by drying ground that’s for sure and Buick’s booking has to be seen as a positive for the 4-year-old.
Punchestown
6:40 – Getabird – 4/1 @ Coral & William Hill – Delta Work, who was third in the RSA and A Plus Tard who was arguably the most impressive winner at the Cheltenham Festival will be tough to beat but I’m taking a chance with Getabirdtrained by Willie Mullins. The 7-year-old missed both Cheltenham & Aintree and has just had the two starts this season so will be fresher than most. He won here on his seasonal reappearance, 3 from 5 at the track. He then just got touched off in the new Grade 1 at Limerick on Boxing Day. Just the two starts over fences so he’s open to further progress over the larger obstacles. First run for 125-days but he’s 3 wins from 3 runs when returning from a 121+ day layoff so fitness shouldn’t be a problem. Stamina for 3m must be taken on trust but he can win if he stays.
Cheers
John