Hi all,
A couple of winners yesterday courtesy of Ajero at Taunton and Call The Tune at Navan. I’m in with another couple of selections today.
The Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle (1:00) gets an eight-race card at Punchestown underway. Just the six mares have been declared but they include several Cheltenham hopefuls including Burning Victory and Dysart Diamond.
This side of the Irish Sea. There’s a decent card at Doncaster with the highlight being leg two of the Veterans’ Chase Series (3.25). Sadly, it’s a card beset by a lack of runners with just 37 being declared for the seven races.
Today’s first selection goes in the veteran’s race at Doncaster.
Doncaster
3:25 – Despite just the six runners it looks the best race of the day this side of the Irish Sea. There are few inform runners. Belami Des Pictons runner-up at Exeter in the first leg of the series 10-days ago. Chirico Vallis put in a career best effort over fences when a 14-length 3rd of 15 to Éclair Surf in the Classic Chase at Warwick last month.
Up Helly Aa King had shaped well when a 4th of 11 at Haydock in December. However, he ran poorly back at the same venue 55-days ago. A question mark after that run but he’s down to a winnable mark.
Dingo Dollar was a ¾-length 2nd of 22 in last season’s Scottish Grand National at Ayr. He hasn’t run badly on either start this season finishing a 9 ½ length 3rd of 12 to Aye Right in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle at the end of November. He’s heading for the Aintree Grand National and a win here would guarantee his place in the field. A C&D winner, when trained by Alan King, the slight concern would be very testing ground for him. Apart from that I think he can win this on the way to Aintree.
1pt win – Dingo Dollar – 11/4 – Gen
Ludlow
4:10 – Neon Moon seemed to respond well to the fitting of the first-time blinkers when stepping back up to 2m 4f at Plumpton (soft) last time. He comfortably saw off 7 rivals that day and the 1f step up in distance should be plus on pedigree. Has a 7lb penalty to carry for his Plumpton success but of the headgear continues to have the desired he looks a shade of value to follow up here.
1pt win – Neon Moon – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cheers
John