Month: January 2013

 

Leicester 3.30 Buddy Bolero

 

Cheltenham

12.40 Gullinbursti is yet to win over fences but he has run well on a couple of occasions and in the main jumped soundly. Soft ground will suit him and the drop in trip should not inconvenience him. His best form has been achieved going right handed but at around 8/1 he has an each way chance.

1.15 Bold Sir Brian has won both his starts this season and looks a classy sort. Most of his career wins have come in small field which might be a concern in this competitive handicap. Bless the Wings is a course and distance winner and this race had been his target since winning at Newbury in November. Fruity O’Rooney has run consistently in many of the top staying handicap chases and should again go well but may be a little high in the handicap. Bold Sir Brian and Bless the Wings would be my pick.

2.25 A fascinating race where a case could be made a quite a few. I am inclined to take a gamble of Grand Crus returning to his best.

3.00 The New One has been very impressive thus far and is hard to oppose.

3.35 Oscar Whisky is the best horse in the race but there are sufficient doubts about his stamina at this trip to make things interesting. Reve de Sivola will test any chinks in the favourites armour but I think Oscar Whisky’s class will prevail.

4.10 Mr Watson and Barbatos are my two against the field.

Leopardstown selections

2.15 Mount Benbulben

2.45 Hidden Cyclone

 

Ayr

2.10 Not a bad race this. Diocles is the selection although Nuts ‘n Bolts and Un Guet Apens are interesting contenders.

 

Kempton

1.30 Hold on Julio is well treated here on his form over fences.

2.40 The lightly raced Oscara Dara makes most appeal here with course and distance winner Captain Sunshine an each way saver perhaps.

Warwick

1.50 Rocky Creek jumped well when winning at Doncaster and can follow up here.

2.25 The Package has a serious chance on his form over fences.

3.00 The New One is the selection. His only defeat in 6 starts coming when 6^th in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper.

Wetherby

12.30 Up and Go is well regarded by connections and looks the one to be on.

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau.

 

Huntingdon

1.20 There is a hot short price favourite in this but it might be worth looking at each way value on Royal Guardsman. Owned and trained by Susan Nock he is a dual bumper winner and should improve on his debut run this season when 5^th of 12 at Newbury last month.

Sedgefield

12.40 Counsel sets the standard here.

 

Leicester

2.10 Lovcen

 

Chepstow

12.25 O’Faolain’s Boy won a bumper at this track and is a former points winner. Looks a nice prospect and should be suited by the trip.

1.00 Keppols Hill has had problems with his jumping but clearly has ability.

1.35 Newbury winner Vasco D’Ycy comes from an unfashionable yard and could represent value for money. Jockey Dennis O’Regan seems keen on Ruacana.

3.20 Giles Cross has a formidable record in this type of race and has been runner up in this event twice. He handles the ground but is on a high mark. Sono Sasta won here last time out. Gets in off a light weight and is one for the short list. Teaforthree looks the type for this race. Stays well and was a good 6^th in the Hennessy. Alfie Spinner stays well and normally jumps well. The lightly raced Universal Soldier will handle the ground and comes into the reckoning. My 2 against the field would be Sono Sasta and and Teaforthree.

Sandown

12.45 Course and distance winner Kentford Grey Lady looks the one to beat.

2.25 Melodic Rendezvous and Pendra look the ones to concentrate on.

3.00 Ifyouletmefinish was second at Taunton last time and had pulled well clear of the 3^rd horse. He should handle the ground and looks the one to beat. Chesil Beach Boy is an interesting outsider.

3.40 Fruity O’Rooney has decent form in some of the big handicap chases and should go well. A;lfie Spinner is another to consider.

Wincanton

2.40 Big Fella Thanks was 3^rd in the Becher Chase at Aintree and should be there or thereabouts again.

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller

 

Lingfield

2.50 Nodebateaboutit (danger Noble Legend)

Musselburgh

12.40 Liberty Court

 

Having not had a winner for ages Lucinda Russell saddled 3 yesterday. At Ayr tomorrow she has a few fancied runners.

Real Milan will be the one to beat in the 1.00 but Nuts N Bolts for Russell will like the soft ground and the trip should also suit.

Ballyben has a chance in the bumper at 3.30.

 

Ayr

12.20 This looks to be between Green Flag and Baltimoar. With Lucinda Russell a bit short of winners lately I will side with Baltimoar.