Diary: December 22 2012

MartinLeave a comment

Ascot

12.55 De La Bech may start favourite and has solid claims. A point to point winner with solid bumper from in Ireland he won over hurdles at Lingfield last time out on heavy ground. A chaser in the making he should go well but I am not sure he is value for money. I am going to take a chance with the unpredictable Wings of Icarus who may be well handicapped and should appreciate this trip based on pedigree.

1.30 Solix is a course and distance winner with winning form with plenty of cut in the ground.

2.20 This could be between Smad Place and Trustan Times.

2.35 Hold on Julio is a tentative selection. I have slight reservations about him handling very testing conditions but he has stamina and that could be a key factor.

3.10 Cash and Go, a multiple winner in Ireland on soft ground was runner up in a big handicap at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance. He us used to running in big fields and should go well. It’s a Gimme was an excellent second over course and distance last month and is another for the short list. Balder Succes won a 4 runner event on his last start. He has winning form on heavy ground and is 2 from 2 at Ascot. Ranjaan won his last two starts last season and makes his return here. He would be my selection normally but he is bred for the flat and I am not so sure about him in testing conditions. I will go with two; It’s a Gimme and Cash and Go.

Haydock selections

1.10 Scholastica

2.15 Mac Aeda

Diary: December 19 2012

MartinLeave a comment

 

Newbury

12.50 Handy Andy is a bit of a Newbury specialist and should go well.

1.20 Snake Eyes was a beaten favourite at Kempton last month but is worth another chance.

3.00 An interesting novice hurdles. I have been following Pearl’s Legend but he was beaten at Fontwell last time and I am going to give him a miss this time. Like Pearl’s Legend Brassick is giving weight away and may prefer better Ground anyway. The two I would recommend are Royal Guardsman who has some solid bumper form and Cocktails at Dawn who fell at the last in his point to point when challenging to the lead. He is well thought of by connections and the trip is likely to suit him.

Diary: December 15 2012

MartinLeave a comment

 

Cheltenham

12.45 Our Father impressed when winning here last month. He handles soft ground and will be hard to beat.

1.55 According to Trev was third here last month and may well be better over a longer trip tomorrow. Both trainer and jockey are in excellent form.

2.30 I am going to put a couple forward for this big handicap chase. Astracad goes well at Cheltenham and his recent 4th at the track should put him straight while Cristal Bonus came back to something like his best at Down Royal and should appreciate the testing conditions.

3.05 Zarkandar won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton last month and is a course and distance winner.

Doncaster

11.55 Vintage Star was a good second at Carlisle last time out and should appreciate the conditions.

1.00 Rocky Creek looks the one to be on in this.

2.45 Sametegal jumped well when winning at Wetherby and could upset the favourite.

Lingfield

1.45 Court in Motion should benefit from tackling 3 miles. Runner up to Dynaste last time he doesn’t face anything of that quality in this.

Diary: December 14 2012

MartinLeave a comment

 

Bangor

12.00 Malt Master showed plenty of potential last season.

Cheltenham

12.15 This could be between Super Duty and Broadbackbob. Broadbackbob gets the selection with Super Duty the main danger.

3.40 Eduard and Melodic Rendezvous are the two I like here. I narrowly favour Melodic Rendezvous. Jeremy Scott’s six-year-old split hurdles winners Champagne Fever and Mozoltov (won yesterday in Ireland) in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival.