I have had a stuttering start to the new flat season but thankfully the jumpers are still doing it for me with Bensaalem, Gauvain and Tazbar obliging at Cheltenham this evening.
The main flat meeting tomorrow is at Newbury and I will kick off there.
The two I will put forward for the 1.30 are Ebiayn and Border Patrol who both finished 3rd on their only start as juveniles. Both look the type to improve at 3.
I have not been having much luck when tipping Henry Cecil runners this week but I am going to try another one with Walking Talking each way in the 2.05. He is a lightly raced sort that has plenty to find on the ratings but I don’t think his trainer would enter him here if he didn’t have a chance and he has more scope to improve than some of his rivals.
Charm School was one of my fancies for the Lincoln but he didn’t have the best of the draw and finished 8th. I am still convinced that he has a nice handicap in him and he is the selection in the 2.35. I would also be interested in Lucky Dance at 33/1. A winner at Newmarket over a mile last season the mount of Seb Sanders looks over priced.
Sariska, a half sister to Gull Wing won on her only start last season, a maiden at Newmarket and she is one to watch in the 3.10. At the moment though Michael Bell’s horses do not seem to be quite firing so that would be a concern. Regardless of the result in this race another one to keep an eye on, possibly over sprint distances, is Purissima.
Elnawin, Finjaan, Nasri, Vocalised and War Native all warrant respect in the Greenham at 3.45. The trip looks ideal for Finjaan and he gets the nod just ahead of the Irish challenger Vocalised.
In the 4.15 I will go with the Ralph Beckett runner Bennelong who is expected to make a nice 3 year old after a couple of placed efforts last season.
At Ayr it is Scottish National day with the big race at 3.25. Nine de Sivola was 2nd in the race two years ago and is an obvious contender despite still looking for his first win over fences. We know that he stays though and the same can be said of Eider Chase winner Merigo who is another one with a big chance. Others I like are Coe, who was 2nd to Rambling Minster at Haydock a couple of runs ago and West End Rocker who has been running very consistently all season. Merigo jumps and stays and at 12/1 is my each way suggestion although he is unproven on the ground. Nine de Sivola should also go close.
There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the Ayr 2.20. I prefer I’msingingtheblues to Raysrock and Tot O’ Whisky.
I have been trying to finds something to beat the favourite in the 2.50. Takeroc is a possible but the trio I ended up with are Blue Bajan, Snap Tie and Noble Alan who will all like the ground. With the stable in form and the horse fresh I will take a chance with Noble Alan each way.
The Polomoche and Middleton Dene represent my list to follow in the 4.00. Both have some sort of chance but I don’t have enough confidence in them to burden either with my selection.
Kilmackilloge runs very well fresh and he returns to the track in the 4.35 after a break of 143 days so he gets the nod over Beggars Cap. In the 5.05 Auroras Encore looks better than his price of 14/1.
At Bangor I like the Or D’Oudaires in the 3.15 and Cava Bien in the 4.25 where Jaunty Times and Nirvana Swing are others to consider.
At Doncaster Dark Lane has his favoured fast ground and this progressive sort is the selection in the 5.40 while in the 6.15 the lightly raced King of Dixie may well be capable of much better than we have seen from his so far.
Shemoli still looked a bit green when 2nd at Leicester the other day and can go one better with the benefit of that experience in the 7.55.
At Nottingham my only selection is Bagber in the 7.10.
At Thirsk all 4 runners in the 3.35 have realistic chances. Hitchens is the one that interests me most. This Acclamation colt won first time out last season and is well thought of by connections.
Woodsley House could well be a horse to follow this season. From an unfashionable stable he notched 3 wins last season and I feel that there may be more to come. He runs in the 4.45 at Thirsk but I will bypass him on this occasion as his form is on soft ground. He is one to keep an eye on though.
The 3 pictures featured today, in the order that they appear, are the parade ring at Newbury by Lisa Miller, former Scottish National winner Paris Pike, by Jenny Lupton and the parade ring at Thirsk by Ruth Buchanan. My thanks to all 3 artists for allowing me to use their work.
Good luck
ahorse 