The jumps season is really getting going now and on the whole my selections have been paying their way. I was quite keen on a couple of Malcolm Jefferson’s runners on Friday at Carlisle. I have kept Tot O’Whiskey on my list to follow for a second season and he looked the likely winner at one point. He got a bit outpaced but finished well. His jumping was fine and hopefully he will be winning soon. Cadoudalas was well supported for the three mile handicap chase but didn’t seem to see out the trip. He would be interesting over two and a half miles as he also jumped well.
There was some tremendous action over the jumps at Bangor, Chepstow and Hexham on Saturday. My best bet of the day was Striking Article at Hexham and he duly obliged. This horse has always been well thought of by his trainer but suffered a foot problem last season. He looks a tremendous prospect for fences and should certainly add to his winning tally.
Emma Lavelle had a double at Chepstow starting with one of my winning tips Seymar Lad who was backed in from 7s to 4s. He made most of the running and scampered clear of his field after the last to maintain his 100% record over fences. Lavelle’s other winner was Crack Away Jack who made an encouraging start to the season seeing off the challenge of my tip for the race, Squadron. He has been well supported for the Champion Hurdle but will need to improve further to take a hand in the big race come March.
Another successful trainer was Donald McCain. He sent out Khachaturian for a comfortable win at 11/10 while What a Buzz came home at odds of 5/1.
I have been quite pleased with my 2 year old selections lately. I suggested Mrs Kipling and Archie Rice for the 19 runner Cornwallis Stakes and they finished 3rd (12/1) and 6th (25/1) respectively. An exceedingly good run from Mrs Kipling! Elsewhere Pevensey was unlucky to get caught close home in the mile and a half handicap at Ascot, where he always seems to run well.
I was pleased to see The Fifth Member notch his 3rd win of the season this afternoon at Goodwood. He is a thoroughly genuine horse who really gives his all in races. Pandorama was another winning tip, this time in the bumper at Naas.
It is a fairly low key days racing tomorrow with 3 flat meetings. I quite fancied Luminous Gold before his run a couple of weeks ago at Windsor but he could only finish 6th. He won first time out at Folkestone off a mark of 68 and I thought he might be able to defy the handicapper and win again. He runs off a rating of 73 in the 3.10 at Kempton tomorrow and has an apprentice taking a further 3 pounds off. He is also running over 7 furlongs for the first time.
There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the 4.40. The top weight Birkside has 3 wins to his credit this season and has won twice at Kempton in his career. He will have to defy a career high mark if he is to be successful tomorrow. The other runners from our list in this race are William Blake and Inspector Clouseau.
Dvinski seems to like it at Kempton as he has won there 4 times. He runs in the 5.10 where he is on the same rating as his last victory there.
In the 3.30 at Windsor Majestic Lady may be able to get off the mark. She was a little unlucky on her last run, while Kuanyao, a half brother to Desert Opal is also of interest. Formation represents my list to follow in the 4.30.
Michael Dods has two runners in the Wolverhampton 3.50. Burning Incense hasn’t won for a fair old while but is well handicapped on his best form. Unfortunately he is drawn in the car park! Kiwi Bay is the other runner from my list to follow but he is not drawn too well either and his recent form does not give any real cause for optimism. The maiden Game Park represents my list to follow in the 4.50.
Lastly, I see that Triskaidekaphobia (which means fear of the number 13) is drawn in stall 13 in the Wolverhampton 4.20.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau (see links)
See you tomorrow.
ahorse 