Hi all,
I wasn’t going to put up any selections but I have recent eyecatcher running at Nottingham this evening and there are a couple of decent handicaps at the Curragh & Thirsk that I have found a couple of selections for.
Curragh
4:15 – Joseph O’Brien saddles four live contenders Dance Jupiter, Fame And Acclaim, Never Forgotten & Raise You and they are no bigger than 7/1 in the overnight betting market. Fame And Acclaim is the only one of the four to have had a previous run. Dance Jupiter may be better over 1m 2f as could Raise You. Dance Jupiter looks open to more improvement as a 5-year-old.
The filly Never Forgotten finished runner-up in a C&D maiden last season and then went one better in Gowran Park last July. Handicap debut and like two of her stablemates might end up being better over a couple of furlongs further. Handicap debut for the 4-year-old who’s open to further improvement and a useful apprentice takes off a handy 5lb.
Another I like is Tauran Shaman who ran well in a couple mile handicaps last season. The drying ground will suit the 5-year-old, as should the forecast fast pace as he tends to be doing his best work at the finish. Starts the season off a 6lb lower mark than last year. If fully tuned up I think he will go close. I can’t resist the stand out 16/1 available with Bet365.
Verdict: It’s Tauran Shaman each way for me with a saver on the filly Never Forgotten.
1pt each way – Tauran Shaman – 16/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)
1pt win – Never Forgotten – 11/2 @ Bet365
Thirsk
1:40 – Throne Hall showed the benefit of an off-season gelding operation when winning a competitive 1m 2f handicap at Doncaster 20-days ago. The step up to 1m 4f should bring out even more improvement in the 4-year-old. The one to beat he’s odds on for what looks a good handicap.
At the prices the one I like is Jeremiah who was perked up by the first-time blinkers when winning a Class 2 handicap at Ascot last summer. He’s up 4lb higher here but connections have opted for the first-time visor for this quirky but talented handicapper. He won over C&D under today’s jockey Danny Tudhope as a 3-year-old. Trainer Charlie Fellowes has his horses in winning form this week and he told the Racing Post the horse is “in great form and this has been the plan for a long time”. Sadly, there are just seven runners so there’s no real each way betting opportunity.
1pt win – Jeremiah – 8/1 @ Bet365
Nottingham
6:15 – There is a potentially well handicapped horse in the race in the shape of likely short priced favourite Russian Virtue who will be tough beat if building on the promise of his Doncaster reappearance which does seem likely.
I put up Copper And Fire in my Daily Punt column this week as one for the tracker. This is what I wrote:
“The lightly raced 5-year-old had shaped with promise in handicaps last season and was unlucky not to land a Class 4 on final start of 2020. He was far too keen on his return to action at Pontefract last Tuesday and did well to finish as close as he did in fifth. Will need s strong pace and some cover if he’s to take advantage of what looks a winnable mark”.
Granted a slight concern that Copper And Fire has been upped back into Class 4 company here but provided he can get some cover I think he can get into the places.
1pt each way – Copper And Fire – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John