Category: Racing diary

 

Ascot

2.45 Raya Star is improving rapidly and could spring a surprise but I think Oscar Whisky will take some beating.

3.20 Champion Court was a very consistent performer last season and looks the sort to improve again.

Gowran Park

2.35 Hidden Cyclone is a promising sort and should win this.

3.10 Aupcharlie has always looked a chaser in the making and can get his campaign off to a winning start here.

Haydock

12.20 Balder Succes should come on for his 3^rd at Wincanton earlier this month and looks the pick of this small field.

12.55 If Ile de Re can translate his flat form to hurdles he would be very hard to beat but he was disappointing at Ascot last time.

2.00 Lie Forrit needs to put a disappointing run at Kelso behind him but is worth another chance.

3.05 With Kauto Star now retired Long Run can go one better than his second place in this race last season.

Picture courtesy of the artist Margaret Barrett

 

Ascot

2.40 Marshall Zhukov has been raised rather a lot for his win at Chepstow but there may be more to come.

3.50 Ifyouletmefinish and Chesil Beach Boy are the two I like here. I would give a slight edge to Chesil Beach Boy who may be the better handicapped of the two.

Ffos Las

1.05 Big Society put in a promising effort when runner up at Chepstow last month and can go one better here.

1.40 Prince Buster has yet to win a race but after a decent effort at Worcester this could be his opportunity.

Haydock

1.55 This is an open looking race, Gullinbursti looks the type to do well over fences and made a pleasing start when 3^rd at Exeter. He likes soft ground. Knock a Hand beat Gullinbursti over hurdles last season but was a shade disappointing on his return at Chepstow. A former points winner he acts with plenty of give.

Poungach was runner up in a Grade 2 at Wincanton last time out. Super Duty was second at Carlisle on his chase debut but he jumped well and should come on for the run. This is a tricky one to call but at the odds I will take Knock a Hand.

2.30 Clondaw Kaempfer was impressive when he won at Aintree and can follow up here.

3.05 Gevrey Chamberatin is another Aintree winner that can go in again.

Picture is courtesy of the artist Sue Malkin.

 

Market Rasen 2.40 Ulis de Vassy is my selection. He has won on heavy ground, he looks on a potentially lenient handicap mark and his stable are in good form.

 

Folkestone

12.40 Umadachar looks the one to be on.

2.40 Emma Lavelle usually does well in November and she saddles Red Mile in this race.  A good jumper he should benefit from a recent outing after a long lay off.

 

Plumpton

2.40 Emma Lavelle usually does well in November and she saddles Red Mile in this race.  A good jumper he should benefit from a recent outing after a long lay off.

 

Plumpton

1.20 Broadbackbob

1.50 Letsby Avenue

 

Selections for Sunday

Cheltenham

1.10 Captain Conan

1.45 Well Sharp

2.50 Cash and Go (Ted Spread, possible outsider)

3.25 Fox Run and Awaywiththegrays are the two I like.

4.00 Fascino Rustico

Punchestown

1.05 Oscar’s Well

3.50 Rough Justice

 

Cheltenham

12.45 McVicar is 2 out of 2 over hurdles but faces a stiffer task here. I prefer Far West whose win at Chepstow has been franked by the runner up.

1.20 Our Father ticks most of the boxes here. The stable have been a bit quiet but had a good winner today in Dynaste.

1.55 Teaforthree is a tough sort and has winning form at Cheltenham. He does not have a great record first time up though and I get the feeling that his target is the Welsh National. King Fontaine is interesting as he has dropped to what looks a winnable mark. Galaxy Rock and Bradley were 2^nd and 4^th here last month over a shorter trip. Galaxy Rock won this race last season while Bradley is also a course winner. Both will benefit from this step up in trip and look sure to go well.

2.35 Grand Crus is the class act in the race and look to have the right profile. The rapidly improving Hunt Ball looks the danger.

3.05 Lovcen should be up to winning a race like this and is one for the short list although he might need more cut in the ground.

3.40 Brick Red tries a shorter trip here after looking like a non stayer last time out. At around 11/1 he has an each way chance.

Punchestown selections

11.55 Mount Benbulben

1.35 Simenon

3.15 Glen’s Melody

3.50 Clondaw Court

Uttoxeter

3.45 Up and Go

Wetherby

12.10 Stormy Weather

2.25 Mac Aeda

3.25 Fleet Dawn

Picture courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller

 

Cheltenham

1.15 This looks to be between Fingal Bay and Dynaste, both exciting chasing prospects. Although he is conceding weight to his rival the fact that Fingal Bay has already run over fences may just give him the edge.

1.50 Astracad has a fair bit going for him. He is a course winner, a distance winner, he goes well fresh and he is on a fair mark.

2.25 Recent winners Dodging Bullets and Tominator command plenty of respect here but at the odds I will select hurdles newcomer River Maigue. He boasts some smart bumper form including a success at Ayr in April.

Newcastle

12.20 Eduard, narrowly beaten over course and distance on his last start can make amends here.

3.45 Liberty Court won on his only start between the flags and should go well.

Picture is courtesy of the artist Lisa Miller

 

Clonmel

12.55 Lord of Lords won a Navan bumper in good style and looks a nice prospect.

2.55 Tarla is a progressive mare and should go well in this.

Ludlow

1.0 Tidal Way sets the standard with his jumping experience but it might b e worth taking a chance with the ex French bumper horse Vasco D’Ycy. I would also have a small saver on the outsider Waving who has changed stables and is with a handler who does well with this type of horse.

3.00 Spirit of Shankly has impressed me and looks to have further improvement.

4.00 Irish point winner Lord Navits could be the answer here.

Taunton

1.40 Josh’s Dreamway has ground conditions in her favour and may be able to defy top weight.