Category: Horse racing

 

Newbury

1.15 This features the usual Saturday clash between trainers Henderson and Nicholls. Chatterbox has the form in the book having won over course and distance last time out. He is up against Lac Fontana who has rock solid flat form in France and makes his hurdles bow, getting weight from Chatterbox.

1.50 Knock a Hand ran well last time when 5^th at Warwick. He is a course and distance winner and could go well along with Captain Sunshine who was destined for at least the runner up spot when falling at the last on his latest start.

2.25 Silviniaco Conti looked very good when beating Long Run at Haydock and is hard to oppose.

3.35 Cash And Go and Cotton Mill are my two against the field. The ground may not suit Claret Cloak which was my original selection. At a bigger price Swing Bowler is worth considering as an each way shot.

4.10 Unioniste won well at Cheltenham and looks the one to beat here.

At Uttoxeter Scholastica is my selection in the 4.00 while at Leopardstown Flemenstar can get the better of Sir Des Champs in the 3.20.

Warwick selections

1.30 Ma filleule

2.40 Marshall Zhukov

 

Selections for Friday;

Bangor

1.30 Blackwater King

2.00 Violin Davis

2.35 O’Faolain’s Boy

Kempton

2.50 Wings of Icarus

4.30 Master Malt

 

Taunton

2.50 Mr Mole

 

Selections for Monday, both at Doncaster.

2.25 Ruben Cotter

3.00 Darlan

 

Sunday selections;

Musselburgh

1.30 Lord Wishes

3.30 Brick Red

Punchestown

1.20 Don Cossack

 

Selections for Saturday

Ffos Las

2.05 Oscara Dara

2.40 Alfie Sherrin

Sandown

2.25 Captain Conan

Wetherby

2.10 Big Society

3.20 Super Duty

 

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.