Hi all,
A good day at Cork on Sunday with win from Chatham Street Lad and Rebel Early came so close to winning at big odds in the handicap hurdle. A profit, albeit a small one, from the weekend’s betting but I will take that every time.
There’s an interesting card at Kempton this afternoon. A Mares Listed race (2:00) is the feature race of a six-race card. However, most eyes will be on Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Shishkin who makes his debut over fences in the beginners’ chase (1:25).
Looking ahead we have the two-day Newbury Winter Carnival starting on Friday. The centerpiece of the two days is the Ladbroke Trophy on Saturday. Apart from the Grand National. The race is the most important handicap chase run during the National Hunt season and one of my favourite races of the year. Last year I tipped up the winner Da Rasher Counter at 14/1. I will be hoping to find the winner again in 2020.
Looking at the rest of the week. There won’t be any selections on Tuesday, it’s my day off, but there may be the odd one on Wednesday and Thursday. If not, the service will return on Friday.
Before all that. There are two handicaps at Kempton that have tempted me in today.
Kempton
2:30 – Getareason ran well on his first start since switching to Paul Nicholls when 3rd of 7 at Sandown 15-days ago. That was his first run since a wind-op and first start for 12 months. Entitled to be fitter today and is unexposed over fences.
Locks Corner has returned from a winter break in excellent form winning twice over fences and finishing 2nd of 17 in Pertemps Hurdle Series qualifier at Cheltenham last month. Likes good ground but is 14lb higher now over fences.
Psychedelic Rock goes well on good ground and a flat track. The 9-year-old was down the field on his first start for 495-days when 7th of 11 at Stratford last month. Yard among the winners and if he builds on his Stratford run could run into the places.
Generous Day was 9th in the Stratford race but that was his first start since a wind-op and he did win this race last year off 1lb higher. It was good to soft 12 months ago but he’s also won on good in the past. Good chance he’s been laid out for another win and can’t be dismissed off his present mark.
Mystical Clouds is another C&D winner having won in February, off 4lb lower, for previous trainer Alan King. The 7-year-old appreciates a sound surface finished 4th in the Stratford race that the two previous horses ran in. That was a highly encouraging first for his new trainer. Should be shaper for that run and he’s only had four starts over fences.
1pt win – Generous Day – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Mystical Clouds -7/1 @ Bet365
3:10 – Eleven go to post for this 3m Class 4 handicap hurdle. Of those at the head of the overnight betting I like the claims of The Domino Effect. The 6-year-old ended last season with a good effort here when 3rd of 12 in a 2m 5f novices’ hurdle, shaping if he needed further. Looked in need of the run and step up in distance when third here last month. Improvement expected on his handicap debut and looks the one to beat.
Board Of Trade doesn’t have many miles on the clock for a 9-year-old but he’s on a losing run of 13. He shaped with encouragement when 5th of 12 at Lingfield (soft) last month. Will be all the better for that run fitness wise and should find today’s less testing ground more in his favour.
1pt win – Domino Effect – 100/30 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
0.5pts each way – Board Of Trade 14/1 @ Ladbrokes & Coral
Cheers
John