Tuesday 28th August
Epsom
4.30 – Novirak 2pt win 9/2

Novirak shaped well last time over 10 furlongs at Doncaster, when looking as though he could be open to plenty of improvement when stepped up to 12 furlongs.
He gets the increased stamina test today, and should take all the beating in what looks a pretty weak handicap.  The favourite, Twelve Strings hasn’t looked particularly willing on his last 2 starts, and Enery has only shown his form on the all-weather so far.  Seven Veils has shown temperament too, so the biggest danger will probably come from Mount Abora, who bounced back to form last time, and still has scope from a handicapping perspective.  The negative with Mount Abora is that she is ridden by the inexperienced Charlotte Jenner, and this is not an easy course for a young jockey to ride around.

2nd

Monday 27^th August

Ripon

3.35 Toto Skyllachy 2pt win 7/2

Despite being 4lbs above his last winning mark, Toto Skyllachy’s effort, when finishing 2^nd at Carlisle, is probably the best piece of recent form in the race.  He followed that up with 2 below par efforts, before bouncing back to form at Ayr last time, when he probably overdid things from the front.

It looks as though there won’t be much competition today for the lead, and as long as Daniel Tudhope keeps a little in reserve, then he should take all the beating.

Of the opposition the favourite finds winning hard, Mirrored has been put up 9lbs for winning last time in a race that worked out perfectly for him, and the rest all have something to prove having run poorly last time out.

3rd

Saturday 25^th August

York

3.40 – Harrison’s Cave 1pt win 20/1

If the forecast rain arrives, then there could be a number of the principles that not only have doubts about their ability to handle the ground, but will have stamina doubts too.

One horse that won’t have those question marks is Harrison’s Cave.  He found the extreme test of 19 furlongs in soft ground too much in the Chester Cup, but since then he has proved his well-being when running well at Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh handicap, when finishing 3^rd behind Camborne.  He just lacked the pace over 12 furlongs on decent ground that day, but 14 furlongs with cut, should prove right up his street.

This is an extremely competitive race, but Harrison’s Cave has shaped as though there could be a bigger performance in him than he has produced so far.  Hopefully it will be tomorrow.

Friday 24^th August

York

3.40 – Pearl Secret 2pt win 5/1

If Pearl Secret is as good as I think he is, then he will take all the beating today.  Visually I have been very impressed with him so far, and I think that today he will prove himself to be top of the tree in the sprint division.  Conditions look ideal, and there are no better trainers of sprinters than his handler David Barron. 

My only concern about him today is if he gets trapped on the stands side rail.  I expect the runners to come near side, so we don’t need Spencer riding him with too much restraint.  The ideal scenario will be for him to track Tangerine Trees for 4 furlongs and take it up inside the last, if that plan is executed, then I expect Pearl Secret to win today.  Any additional rain won’t inconvenience us, but it will be against most of the opposition. 

FFos Las

4.30 – Fair Along 1pt win 11/2

Fair Along has put up his best 2 efforts, first time out over the last 2 seasons.  If he does that again today, then he is handicapped to win.   He finished third in last season’s Hennessy off a mark of 142, and turns up today against weaker opposition off a mark of 135.  If Phillip Hobbs has him in decent form today, then he must go close.

Hamilton

6.35 – Jeannie Galloway 1pt win 7/1

I put Jeannie Galloway up a couple of weeks ago, and she was well backed prior to being pulled out.  Today’s race looks more competitive, but conditions are ideal.  If the visor sparks her back to life then she is handicapped to win, on her first start for the Keith Dalgleish yard.

Thursday 23^rd August

York

3.05 – Indian Jack 1pt win 14/1

Physically Indian Jack looked as though he would improve from 3 to 4.  This opinion of him looked to be accurate, when he shaped with a fair degree of promise on his first outing of the year.  Since then things haven’t gone his way, but today’s conditions look perfect and it’s not inconceivable that he can win this at a big price.

I think a strongly run mile on a galloping track and decent ground is what he wants, and providing he breaks better than he did last time, then I can see him putting up a career best effort today.  There are plenty of dangers but he is worth a small investment at around 14/1.

3rd

FFos Las

4.55 – West With The Wind 2pt win 3/1

West with the Wind has won this race for the past 2 years, and he looks as though he has been primed to win it again.

I expect him to outclass today’s opposition providing Paul Moloney doesn’t go off too hard too early, if that’s the case, then I don’t expect him to see another rival.  He is best fresh so the fact that he is coming off a 63 day break is a positive.   

Wednesday 22^nd August

Newton Abbott

6.00 – Gay Sloane 1pt win 8/1 Lads, 7/1 generally

Gay Sloane fits the profile of the type of horse that Richard Woollacott has excelled with this year – potentially well handicapped on his old form, and joining him from an out of form yard.

It is quite possible that the horse is a shadow of his former self, and he could well bomb out as he hasn’t shown any form for 3 years, but if his inform handler has got back to anywhere near his best then he will go close.

Gay Sloane also holds an entry for a decent handicap hurdle at Cartmel on Saturday, so it’s possible that they are looking to run up a quick sequence, like they did with Allerford Jack last month.

He’s certainly not one for the mortgage, but there are enough positives to recommend a small bet on him at a fair price.

3rd

Sunday 19^th August

Southwell

2.00 – Chandlers Cross 2pt win

A reproduction of Chandlers Cross’s last effort, when runner up behind of Allerford Jack, will see him win today.

He was well backed throughout the day last time, and was clearly expected to put up an improved effort on his debut under rules for David Rees.  Allerford Jack has won twice since, and is now rated 21lbs higher.

Chandlers Cross is just 9lbs higher today so still looks well treated, having been beaten by just over a length at Worcester.  Today’s opposition look poor and Chandlers Cross looks well overpriced this morning.

2nd

Saturday 18^th August

Newbury

3.40 – Rakaan 1pt win 8/1 Fred 7/1 Lads,Victor, Paddy

Rakaan’s first three runs of the season were on unsuitably soft ground, this resulted in him running poorly, and he dropped 8lbs in the handicap as a result.  Last time at Goodwood was the first time he has encountered a decent surface this year, and he would have gone close if Spencer hadn’t given him far too much to do.

Off the same mark today he looks sure to go well, in what is admittedly a very competitive race.  Frankie takes over in the saddle.

Friday 17^th August

Kempton

8.25 – 2pt win Loving Spirit 13/2

Loving Spirit’s profile would suggest that he isn’t the soundest of horses, but he is certainly capable of winning off his current handicap mark if James Toller has him in top form today.

On his return to action over course and distance in May, I think he would have won, if his run hadn’t been stopped at a crucial time.  Since then he has been outclassed in a listed race at Windsor, and unsuited by the step back in trip at Yarmouth. 

He is now 1lb lower than his first run of the season, and assuming he gets better luck in running, then he will take plenty of beating this evening.

2nd

Kempton

8.05 – Intransingent 2pt win 11/4

Like his half-brother, Border Music, Intransingent seems to be a better horse on the all-weather, than he is on turf.  His 2 runs on Polytrack so far have seen him finish 1^st, and 2^nd. 

He would probably have won last time over course and distance, if he hadn’t been  undone by the steady early gallop, and conceded first run to the winner.

Ghost Train should ensure a truer gallop today, and off the same mark as last time, he should take all the beating. 

1st 

A great day yesterday, with both selections winning.  I hope a few of you have best odds guaranteed with your bookmaker, as Wannabee King started at 20/1.

Tuesday 14^th August

Ayr

3.20 Wannabe king 1pt win 16/1.

This is one of those bets that is just as likely to bomb, as it is to run well, but at 16/1 that’s certainly built into the price.

Wannabe king shaped with promise on his first 2 runs of the season, but was below par when returning from a 3 month break last time.  There are valid excuses for that effort though.  He raced without his usual headgear and was ridden in a manner which wasn’t going to see him to best effect.

Now refitted with the visor, and assuming he is ridden with more restraint than last time, he could well pop up today at a big price.  On his best form, he would be the best handicapped in the race, conditions look spot on and he is ridden by 7lb claimer, Jordan Nason, who has won on 3 of his 13 rides so far this season, and won on his only ride at Ayr.

Geoff Harker is a wily trainer, and it wouldn’t surprise me, if he has plotted the horse up for today.  If that’s the case then I would expect to see plenty of late money for him.

1st

3.50 Penang Pegasus 2pt win 7/2

A very weak race, where a reproduction of Penang Pegasus’s effort at Redcar back in May, should be good enough to take this.  He’s been unsuited by the drop back to 8 furlongs the last twice, but showed a decent attitude when staying on well at Thirsk last time. 

After 6 career starts he has plenty of scope to improve, and I’m surprised to see him as big as 7/2 this morning.  I would expect him to start closer to 2/1.

1st

Saturday 11^th August

Newmarket

3.00 – Mississippi 1pt win 12/1

Both Mississippi’s pedigree, and the visual impression that he has created, strongly suggest that the step back to 7 furlongs will bring about some improvement today.  His sire is very much a speed influence, and his half-brother, Maarek, is a 110 rated 6 furlong horse.

2 runs ago at Doncaster, Mississippi looked the likely winner throughout the race, on his handicap debut, when travelling better than anything until the 2 pole, only for him to tire running into the final furlong.  Last time at Royal Ascot, he was dropped in, and looked as though he was ridden to get the trip, but again failed to do so.

Now dropped back in trip, I would expect him to race closer to the early pace, and he certainly has the potential of defying his current mark of 88.  This is a very competitive race, but 12/1 looks a fair price.

Redcar

3.45 – Alakhan 1pt 16/1 Coral, 14/1 generally

Alakhan has been disappointing so far this season, but there are several factors that I feel that this horse needs to show his best form, today is the first time that he gets them this year.

I think the horse is best when fresh, needs a strongly run race over a mile, and a sound surface.

With Cono Zur, and Sir Trevor in the line-up, it should be strongly run, and both ground and trip are fine, he also arrives on the back of a 5 week break.

Alakhan caught my eye when running in a hot Newmarket handicap last year, when impressing with how he travelled through the race, but was badly drawn and did well to finish as close as he did.  If Ian Williams has him in the same form today, then he will go very close, and will make this morning’s odds look very generous.

Thursday 9^th August

Haydock

3.40 – Barkston Ash 2pt win 7/2

The top three in the market, Namwahjobo, Coolminx, and Jack Luey all find it hard to win, so I’m happy to take them on.  Barkston Ash, bounced back to form when winning at Hamilton earlier in the year, and was better than his finishing position when staying on well from a poor position at York last time.  He’s reunited with 7lb claimer Jason Hart today, and I expect him to keep him close to the early pace, before finding too much against some poor/reluctant opposition.

Sandown

7.50 – Cactus Valley 2pt win 4/1

Cactus Valley showed plenty of promise in his 3 maiden runs, and was well fancied on his handicap debut last time.  The slow early pace didn’t suit him at all, and he used up too much energy by fighting his jockey in the first part of the race.  The drop back in trip should suit this evening, and Cactus Valley should take this before going onto better things.

The opposition are largely an exposed bunch, with the exception of the other 2 three year olds.  It’s disconcerting though, that Top Billings connections are reaching for the headgear already for him, after just 3 career starts.  This leaves Keepax as the danger, but he was well positioned in a messy race last time, and I expect Cactus Valley to prove too strong for him today.

 1st

8.20 – Uncle Fred 2pt win 11/2

I strongly fancied him at Windsor last time, but his chance was ruined when Kens Girl broke down and took him out the race.  Although his best form has been at Windsor, he does have form at Sandown, and my opinion of him hasn’t changed – he’s a well handicapped horse that has been shaping better than his early season efforts would imply.  This evening’s race doesn’t look great, and if back to his best, then he should go very close.  

Monday 6^th August

Ripon

3.45 – Kelly’s Eye 2pt win 7/2

On his first run back with former trainer, David Brown, Kelly’s Eye shaped very well at York last time.  2 seasons ago, Kelly’s Eye won 3 course and distance handicaps on the trot, with the last one being off a mark of 94.

Since then he has lost his way under the care of 2 other trainers, but the evidence of his last run, is that David Brown has got him back on track, and now returned to his favoured course, off a mark of 74, he should win if building on that last effort.

Carlisle

8.05 – Icy Blue 2pt win 5/1 Ladbrokes and Paddy Power

Icy Blue hit form at this time last year when winning off a mark 1lb higher than he races off today.  He has shaped better than the result would imply on his last 2 runs.  On both occasions he was slowly away and met interference in running.  The smaller field should help on that front today, and he is certainly capable of winning today with a clear run through.

Friday 3^rd August

Bangor

4.30 – First In The Queue 2pt win 7/2

First In The Queue, is a highly strung individual that is always likely to be best when fresh.  He returns  from a 101 day break today, and a reproduction of his effort last December at Cheltenham, should be good enough to win.  He would have won that day, if he hadn’t walk through the last, and off the same mark today, holds decent from claims, now encountering his favoured sound surface for the first time since then.

1st

Thursday 2^nd August

Epsom

5.50 – Layline 1pt win 8/1

Certain trainers look to exploit the loop hole, of winning apprentice handicaps – where no penalty is giving for winning, with potentially well handicapped horses, where the aim is to try and run a quick sequence of victories, before the handicapper gets hold of you.  Gay Kelleway, is a trainer in that bracket.

Layline has always been seen as an all-weather specialist, but the handicapper could have taken a massive chance by dropping him 9lbs on the back of his last turf run.  The winner won easily that day, but Layline travelled with enthusiasm, and was only 6 lengths behind the 2^nd placed horse at the finish.  That race was much more competitive that today’s, in fact this is the lowest grade of race that Layline has contested in his career.

The most interesting fact about today is that Layline has 2 further entries later in the week, so I would guess that Gay Kelleway sees today as a springboard for a winning run.  She has booked Darren Egan, who is a very good apprentice, and Layline showed that he handled the course when running here as a 2 year old.

With this type of horse, it is always possible that I’ve read the situation completely wrong, and Layline could bomb out, but if this is a well worked plan by the Kelleway yard, then I would expect him to be well backed, and if on song should be too well handicapped for the opposition.

Galway

4.50 – Princeton Plains 1pt win 12/1

Princeton plains ran a cracker in the race last year, when finishing 5^th, just 2 days after winning the Novice hurdle on the opening day of the festival.  This was on decent ground, but he is certainly a better horse with some cut.

He’s a horse that has the rare quality of being able to find a turn of speed out the soft ground, off a strong pace.  These type of horses are always worth having on your side, in top end handicaps.  He’s been campaigned with this race in mind, rather than it being an afterthought like last year, and showed his wellbeing when a well backed winner on the flat last time.  He could go very close today in what is an extremely competitive handicap.

Tuesday 31^st July

Beverley

3.30 – Space War 2pt win 16/1 generally

The last time Space War encountered his favoured ground – fast side of good, he finished 2^nd, beaten a head off a mark of 84.  Since then he has struggled on soft ground, which he simply doesn’t act on.

With the ground firm at Beverley today, Space War could well bounce back to form, and if he does then he is an exceptionally well handicapped horse off a mark off 75.  A strongly run 8 furlongs on a stiff track is ideal, and if Mick Easterby has him in top form today, then he will take plenty of beating.

Goodwood

2.00 – Las Verglas Star 2pt win 6/1 generally

Despite having had a fair amount of racing, Las Verglas Star seems to still be improving.  Last time at Ascot, he was very unlucky not to win, and off the same mark today, he stands a decent chance of going one better.

A low draw on the round course at Goodwood is a massive advantage, and he showed that he handled the course, when running well at this meeting last year, in the 3 year old handicap over course and distance.  Despite plenty of runners, this doesn’t seem to be the most competitive of races, and providing he gets a decent run through, then Las Verglas Star should go close today.

2nd

5.25 – Hamoody  1pt win 14/1

An exceptionally competitive race, but over the years I’ve done well backing horses from the Dandy Nicholls yard, that look to have been laid out for this meeting.

Hamoody won this 2 years ago, off a 5lb higher mark, and he looks to have been brought along steadily so far this season, with probably this race in mind.  Rain would be a concern as he certainly wouldn’t want the ground to be any softer than good, but providing the going is no softer than good, then he could well go close.

Monday 30^th July

Uttoxeter

7.50 – Allerford Jack 2pt win 11/4

I’m surprised to see Allerford Jack as big as 11/4 this morning.  A reproduction of last week’s effort will be good enough for him to win again, and although he won last week, I felt he idled once hitting the front, and he was in fact far superior to the opposition than the winning distance implied.

You are always taking a risk, when a horse is running just 5 days after his last effort, but the fact that he idled, tells me that he was holding a little bit back for himself, so he may not have had as hard a race as it looked.

Delgany Gunner is solid, but has nothing in hand from the handicapper, whilst Whistling Senator, had a crashing fall last time, which must  have dented his confidence, so again I’m happy to take him on.

1st