Category: Horse racing

 

Sandown

1.20 Grandouet looks the likely winner here although he will be at cramped odds.

4.10 Josses Hill was runner up in a Punchestown bumper, albeit beaten a long way. He sets the standard with Tara Road, a winner between the flags in Ireland the danger.

Wincanton

12.20 Heath Hunter comes here on the back of two wins in bumpers. He looks a decent prospect although he may need further than this to be seen at his best.

1.30 I am inclined to avoid the more fancied runners here and look for a bit of value. Mickie won at Ludlow in April but has failed to complete on her last two starts but is worth another chance. Tara Rose is consistent and was a good second at Wetherby over fences last time.

2.05 Far West and Karinga Dancer are both improving types and could fight out the finish. My preference is for Far West.

2.40 Aiteen THirtythree goes well fresh and will appreciate the ground. Not without a chance. Poungach looks the type for this. He gets this trip and will get plenty of help from the saddle.

Masters Hill won at Exeter last month. He lacks experience but jumps well and is another for the short list. De La Bech is the other one I like. He stays well and won at Exeter at the end of last season. Paul Nicholls has an impressive record in this race and his runners are respected but my two against the field are Masters Hill and De La Bech.

3.15 Meister Eckhart was runner up in the Coral Cup last season and makes his chase debut here. He could be an exciting novice chase prospect.

3.50 Now Ben and Vazaro Delafayette have impressive form between the flags and will be expected to go well here.

Kelso

12.30 Mysteree

1.05 Clondaw Knight

2.15 Blenheim Brook

2.50 Upsilon Bleu

3.25 Rhymers Stone (ew)

Naas

1.25 Turnandgo

2.00 Foxrock

 

Musselburgh

2.35 Ann Hamilton’s Runswick Royal has only been out of the first two so far and should give us a run for our money.

4.05 It’s a High Time was a close second in a Gowran Park bumper for Charlie Swan and the form of that race has worked out well.

 

Towcester

2.40 Swincombe Stone is unexposed and looks value. The trip could be on the short side though.

3.10 Prideofthecastle has won two bumpers and is considered a good prospect by his trainer.

3.40 Down Ace looks the one to be on.

 

Chepstow

1.10 Jean de Florette

1.40 Regal Diamond

2.10 Vesperal Dream

Warwick

4.00 Land of Vic

 

Exeter

1.50 Flemenson and Champagne West make most appeal. The latter just gets the nod.

2.20 The dual bumper winner Doctor Harper should go well here.

2.50 Cue Card won this last season and I fancy him to repeat that performance. William’s Wishes looks the big danger.

3.20 I give a tentative vote to Claret Cloak but this one needs good ground so keep an eye on the conditions.

 

Kempton

2.05 Present View and Midnight Oscar looks the pair to concentrate on. I would give a slight edge to Midnight Oscar.

2.40 God’s Own is the selection

 

Carlisle

1.30 Many Clouds has a good attitude and looks the type to do well over fences.

2.40 A small field where all 5 have chances. Cloudy Too won on this card last season and this tough type should enjoy a good season. Grey Gold was a winner at Punchestown and Carlisle last Spring and will relish the conditions. Violin Davis won 4 times last season and there may be more to come. Tap Night seems to handle any ground. His last 3 wins all came at Ayr. A trappy race. My selection is Cloudy Too with Grey Gold the danger.

3.45 Kris Kross (ew)

Huntingdon

1.15 Smad Place should win this but will be long odds on. At a big price Le Reve might be worth a small interest.

2.55 Once again we have a very short priced favourite. Those wanting to oppose the jolly could try Sego Success an Irish points winner trained by Alan King.

4.00 Urban Hymn and Father Edward are the two I like.

Cork

1.40 Indevan

2.15 Azorian

2.50 Felix Younger

Picture courtesy of the artist Katy Sodeau

 

Ascot

1.35 Persian Snow looks on a winnable mark.

2.10 Fairy Rath and Greywell Boy are the two I like in this handicap. Greywell Boy may have the edge at the weights and eh also seems more versatile with regards to going.

2.45 Pine Creek won twice last season and looks a progressive sort.

3.20 Buddy Bolero has some smart form over fences having finished 4 in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. The talented Opening Batsman is the other one that appeals to me! He landed the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton last season.

4.20 Robinsfirth won at Wincanton in April and the form of that race looks quite strong.

Ayr

12.55 Frankies Promise has a disastrous start to his hurdling career but is worth another chance.

2.35 The consistent Green Flag can follow up his recent success at Kelso.

3.10 Big Water looks on a fair mark. He would not want conditions too testing.

Down Royal

3.05 Rolling Aces can add to his trainer’s impressive record in this race.

Wetherby

1.15 Gone Too Far looks a smart prospect and can give AP McCoy another winner.

3.00 At Fisher’s Cross comes into this race on the back of 6 straight wins.

3.35 Long Run sets the standard but at the odds I am inclined to oppose him. Unioniste and Benefficient both make some appeal.

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller

 

Down Royal

3.10 Rye Martini

Uttoxeter

12.50 Milord

2.20 Raya Star

2.55 Vinnieslittle Lamb

Wetherby

1.10 Master Rajeem

Newmarket

1.00 Stetchworth

 

Sedgefield

1.0 Dispour won at Bangor on his hurdles debut. He may well defy a penalty here as he should come on for the run but the ground could go against him and he doesn’t look value at a skinny bprice.

2.0 There are a couple here running over hurdles as part of the build up to a campaign over fences. A race best watched.

Stratford

3.40 The Druid’s Nephew and Amigo look the pair to concentrate on. The former can come out on top given that he is more likely top be suited by the trip.