Hi all,
Saint D’oroux’s tidy win at Kelso got the service of the mark for the month. There’s plenty of action to get stuck into on Saturday and Sunday with of course the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown. There are also good cards at Sandown, Musselburgh, where it’s day one of the tracks Scottish Cheltenham Trials Meeting, and Wetherby.
At Sandown the feature race is the Grade 1 Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices Chase (2:20) were the exciting L’Homme Presse faces 4 rivals in his bid to make 4-4 over fences.
At Wetherby the highlight of a seven-race card is the Grade 2 William Hill Towton Novices Chase (2:30). Ahoy Senor runner-up to Bravemansgame at Kempton over Christmas faces three rivals and will be a short-priced favourite to get back to winning ways.
Sadly, as feared, the continuing dry weather has had impact at Musselburgh and Wetherby. The Scottish track has seen its seven races attract just 46 runners. It’s a big shame as it’s the tracks most valuable meeting of the year and there’s good prize money on offer. Wetherby has done even worse with just 41 runners declared for its Saturday card.
So, a busy a few couple of days to come. Today’s cards are mediocre quality wise. With best of the action coming at Chepstow. However, I have a few that a fancy at Chepstow and Dundalk. Although stakes are modest.
Chepstow
3:00 – Getmegold won at the second attempt over fences at Exeter (good to soft) 17-days ago. The 7-year-old is up 7lb for this Exeter success but is open to more improvement
Do It For Thy Sen won twice at Southwell back in May. He’s hasn’t been at that level of form on his three starts since returning from his summer break. He’s down to a mark just 1lb higher than for his last win and would go close if bouncing back to his best.
Celma Des Bois was a good 2nd of 12 here over 2m 7 ½ f in Marchand made a winning return to action from a 10-month absence when beating 10 rivals at Leicester 23-days ago. The 10-year-old is up 4lb but gets his ground and is a leading contender.
0.5pts win – Celma Des Bois – 6/1 @ Bet365
0.5pts win – Do It Fir Thy Sen – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:30 – A big field of 17 runners for this 3m 2f handicap chase. The two I like are Dr Kananga & La Cavsa Nostra.
Dr Kananga 3-7 in points, made all to win a maiden hunter chase at Hexham in May and made a pleasing start in handicap chase company when a 7 ½ length 2nd of 11 at Chepstow (good to soft) over 2m 7 ½ f back in November. The 8-year-old was sent off the 15/8 favourite for his next start at Plumpton but ran well below his Chepstow form. Has been given a 53-day break and is should do better.
The Neil Mulholland trained La Cavsa Nostra is the most intriguing runner in the field. The 10-year-old is returning from a massive 813-day absence today. A winner of 2-4 of his four starts, including over C&D, over fences. Beat the now 150 rated Lord Du Mesnil when last seen in action in November 2019. You’re taking a chance that he’s over what has kept him off the track but he’s potentially well handicapped in the sphere.
0.5pts win – Dr Kananga – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
0.5pts win – La Cavsa Nostra – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Dundalk
4:30 – Dartan a winner when trained in Germany and runner-up on his sole all-weather start. Not disgraced on his hurdle/stable debut when 2nd of 15 at Navan in November but failed to build on that promise when a well beaten 7th of 17 at Leopardstown over Christmas. Gets the first-time blinkers for his return to the level and if the headgear has the desired effect, he could be on a competitive mark based on his German form.
Top Line Tommy has been running over hurdles but it worth remembering he was in decent form on the all-weather in the early part of 2021 winning a C&D handicap 12 months ago and ran well on three subsequent starts, including a personal best when a nose 2nd of 13 over C&D in April. The 6-year-old is now 1lb lower and could go well returning to the all-weather.
0.5pts win – Dartan – 11/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
0.5pts win – Top Line Tommy – 9/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
7:30 – Macadam’s Rock is a ten-race maiden, three of those runs coming on the all-weather. Improved form from the selection on his last two starts, finishing a 1¾ length 4th of 13 over C&D 14-days ago. Sam Ewing takes off a handy 5lb and that could make all the difference today.
1pt win – Macadam’s Rock – 10/1 @Bet365
Cheers
John