Month: November 2010

 

Just the one selection tomorrow and that is Premier Sagas in the 2.55 at Market Rasen.

 

It has been a decent flat season for me results with the likes of San Cassiano, Evens and Odds and Tullius winning at big odds. Tomorrow sees the final action of the 2010 flat season and it would be nice to end with some winners.

I don’t have a view on the first two races at Doncaster but I am quite keen on a bit of an outsider in the nursery at 1.25. Swiss Dream was well thought of by his trainer earlier in the season but has been disappointing of late. He encounters soft ground for the first time tomorrow and his pedigree suggests it may suit him well.

Horseradish has notched up 3 wins this season and shown a liking for give in the ground. This 7 furlongs could well suit him and I fancy him to run a big race.

Modeyra has won both her starts to date beating subsequent winner Timepiece at Newmarket last month. She is hard to oppose in the 2.35 where recent Newmarket winner Zahoo represents the main danger.

There are plenty in with chances in the 3.10. Alan King saddles course and distance winner Salden Licht and with a claimer taking off 5 lbs this one looks to be in with a good chance. Red Jade and Brunston are others that could go well at a big price. If pushed for a single selection I would go with Salden Licht.

In the 3.40 my short list consists of Cheverton, Angleszarke, Macs Power and Inler.

Kauto Star is the main attraction at Down Royal but hardly a betting proposition. My only selection at the Northern Ireland course is Pandorama. Something of a favourite of mine, in the Grade 2 chase at 3.00.

At Kelso I think that Arctic Court could go well in the 12.30. Formerly with Len Lungo he is now with Jim Goldie and should be suited by tomorrow’s trip given the stamina in his pedigree.

Merigo is a useful staying chaser and has won the Scottish National and the Eider Chase. His lower mark over hurdles puts him in with a squeak in the 2.05.

Kalahari King is the class act in the 2.40 but may find the weight concession to Noble Alan too much.

Maurisca is quite well handicapped and can go well in the Sandown 12.45. Another on a winnable mark is Higgy’s Boy in the 2.55. He will also have the ground in his favour.

Banjaxed Girl is a likable sort who always gives of her best. She can defy top weight in the 1.40.

Robinson Collonges, Wishfull Thinking and Tara Royal all make some appeal in the 2.45. Of the 3 Robinsons Collonges has the best recent form and is the percentage call.

Forest Pennant has had a wind operation over the summer and could eb one to look out for in the 3.20.

Today’s picture, of Wild Cane Ridge who runs at Kelso, is courtesy of Sarah Clegg.

We haven’t had a winner for a couple of days and I wouldn’t be too confident of turning that round tomorrow as the racing on offer in the UK is distinctly low grade stuff.

At Hexham Nicky Richards introduces a potentially nice type, on pedigree anyway, in King Sandor in the novice hurdle at 3.10. Regardless of tomorrow’s result he is on to keep an eye on as the season progresses. Noble Storm was runner up in a decent sprint handicap at Doncaster last time out and deserves to win a race. He looks a fair bet in the 3.30 at Southwell where he has shown that he can handle the surface.

My two selections at Wolverhampton are Muffraaj (6.10) and Royal Swain (7.10).

The big race at Down Royal is the Grade 2 hurdles at 2.05. The ground may just be a little too soft for the speed horse Blackstairmountain which could leave the way clear for Summit Meeting who ran an excellent 4^th to Peddler’s Cross at Cheltenham last season.

I know nothing about the American form so will refrain from giving selections for the Breeder’s Cup races. It would however be nice to see Precision Break and Midday win their contests for the UK.

Today’s picture is courtesy of the artist Sue Malkin.  See link below for more details of her work.

Sue Malkin

Bye for now

Selections for Thursday

Haydock 2.05 Ernst Blofeld

Towcester 1.10 Fiddlededee

2.55 Evella

Selections for Wednesday

Chepstow 4.25 Spot the Ball

Fairyhouse 1.50 First Lieutenant (danger Sizing Mexico)

Kempton 4.35 High Office

The main action tomorrow comes from Exeter who stage a decent card featuring the Haldon Gold Cup at 2.35. Given that the great Best Mate died during a running of this race a few years ago it would be fitting it Somersby could win this for Best Mate’s trainer Henrietta Knight. Somersby was a high class novice last season finishing runner up in the Arkle (the 5^th horse in that race won today). I think Somersby has every chance and he is my selection.

The booking of Barry Geraghty to ride George Nympton looks interesting in the 1.35 and the Nick Williams runner looks the one to be on here. High Class chaser Madison Du Berlais could be the danger.

Dare Me should win the 2.05 albeit at skinny odds but the 3.05 looks very competitive despite the small field. Phidippedes and Chain of Command will both be winning before the season is out but on this occasion I fancy Rock Noir as long as the champ can get him to settle.

Court In Motion is held in high regard by trainer Emma Lavelle and will be difficult to beat in the 4.35.

Brunston is only 1 lb higher than when landing the Newbury Spring Cup at the start of the season when he makes his all weather bow in the Kempton 3.55.

The picture of Best Mate is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller.