Category: Racing diary

Newbury

12.30 This is an intriguing contest that could revolve around Modus and See the World. Modus, representing the Paul Nicholls stable is flat bred but has very solid form in bumpers, being placed twice in Grade 1 races. He has also already won over timber at Taunton for which he has an 8 lbs penalty. See the World was hugely impressive when winning a bumper at Wincanton last season on his only start. The selection has to be Modus but See the World could just be very special.

1.35 Unowwhatimeanharry, a recent Cheltenham winner, is my selection.

2.10 Beast of Burden was going like a winner when unseating at Chepstow and should go close given a clear round. Value at Risk is a course winner and was 5^th in the Albert Bartlett. It is hard to choose between the two but I will go for Value at Risk.

2.45 Chosen Well handles the ground, goes well fresh and comes from last season’s winning stable.

3.50 Fly du Charmil and Royalzaro are point to point winners. Preference is for the former.

Fontwell

12.40 Bigmartre is a course winner, likes soft ground and has more experience than his rivals.

1.10 One or two of these may not relish the conditions. Willem has won on heavy ground and is a tentative selection.

3.20 Inch was second in a point to point at Inch and should go well in this bumper.

Lingfield

1.00 Midnight Silver

2.00 Master Jake

Kempton

1.05 I like Theo’s Charm and Two Taffs. Slight preference is for the former.

Exeter

2.00 This looks an interesting novice chase where there are a number with chances.

Onenightinvienna runs in the colours of West Tip and like that horse he stays and jumps well. He won a point to point, a bumper and is a dual winner over hurdles. He handles soft ground and won his bumper on heavy. Dawson City won twice over hurdles but has always looked a staying chaser in the making. He has already won in heavy ground and the conditions should hold no fears for him. Kingsgate Native was running a promising race on his chase debut when falling 4 out at Carlisle earlier this month. A winning pointer he was rated 140 over hurdles and he3 has won on soft ground. Fletchers Flyer is another winning pointer. He also won a bumper at Punchestown before winning over hurdles at Ascot and Wincanton. He acts on heavy going.

My selection is Fletchers Flyer although Onenightinvienna is very much feared.

3.00 Ikrapol ran well in a couple of races in France, handles soft ground and should go well on his debut for David Pipe.

Uttoxeter

1.20 Surtee du Berlais

3.50 Miss Joeking

Not a bad result today with 4 winners from 7 selections. Tomorrow’s racing comes from Ascot, Gowran Park, Haydock and Wincanton.

Ascot

12.20 American was awarded a race between the flags on a disqualification. Since arriving at Harry Fry’s yard he has run well to finish 3^rd at Aintree. The ground should suit him here and Barry Geraghty in the saddle is another plus.

1.30 Smart Talk is on a hat trick. She is upped in class but should still be competitive.

3.50 Semper Invictor is getting 7lbs from bumper winner Criq Rock and that might be enough to tilt the scales.

Gowran Park

Willie Mullins saddles American Tom (1.00) and Stone Hard (1.25). Both look to have good chances.

Haydock

12.10 At 10/1 Balmusette is worth a small interest.

1.15 Gunner Fifteen looks potentially well handicapped on his first run for Harry Fry. Stiletto will appreciate the ground and looks the danger.

1.50 Top Notch looks a progressive sort and the ground should suit him here.

2.25 I had Our Kaempfer pencilled in for this race but the ground is unlikely to suit him.

Huntingdon

12.00 The Organist won a bumper at Perth and looks the type to win races over hurdles.

12.30 Be On Time, runner up at Fakenham last time should find this track more to his liking.

Ascot

1.00 Krugermac was runner up in a bumper at Punchestown on his only start to date. It is interesting that his new trainer has sent him to Ascot rather than one of the smaller tracks.

2.05 The unbeaten Kilrea Vale is the selection here.

3.50 Forest Behan ran with plenty of promise on his first start for Brian Ellison at Ayr. A winner vin France he will handle the ground and looks sure to go well.

Haydock

1.20 It is worth taking a chance on Doctor Phoenix, a winner at Lingfield recently he has the ground in his favour.

1.55 Welsh Shadow should be up to winning this.

2.30 The unbeaten Minella Rocco is the selection.

3.05 This contest should suit the Sue Smith trained Vintage Clouds.

Market Rasen

12.30 Oldgrangewood won on his only start between the flags and could represent the value here.

Cheltenham

1.15 Un Temps pour tout is a grade 1 winner over hurdles in France and looks a very interesting prospect for staying novice chases.

1.50 Black Thunder is worth considering here. He won at Sandown last season off a slightly higher mark. Soft going probably suits him best. Further down the weights I would put up Sego Success as another to think about. My other fancy is. Sausalito Sunrise. My 123 would be 1 Sego Success; 2 Sausalito Sunrise 3 Black Thunder.

2.25 I will put a few suggestions again here. Boondooma, Darna, Johns Spirit and Cocktails at Dawn form my short list. Boondooma won here last month making all. Although he has gone up in the weights for that he can still be competitive off his new mark. I think that Darna is overpriced. He needs good ground and if he gets it he has an each way chance. John’s Spirit won this two years ago and generally runs well at Cheltenham. The form of Cocktails at Dawn’s win at Chepstow has worked out well.

1. Boondooma 2. Cocktails at Dawn 3. John’s Spirit 4. Darna.

3.35 There may be more to come from the consistent Herbert Park.

4.05 Which One is Which and Copper Kay are my selections.

Punchestown

1.00 Free Expression

Uttoxeter

12.30 Captain Chaos

Cheltenham

1.05 Le Vaticane

1.40 Ballyalton

2.15 Split stake with Champers on Ice and Shantou Village.