Author: John Burke

Hi all,

First, of what will be a regular feature looking at ante-post bets for the big races of the winter jumps season, including my Cheltenham Festival portfolio.  

My first three ante post selections are below. The first two are for the upcoming Ladbroke Trophy at Newbury. The second selection is for the Champion Chase at next years Cheltenham Festival.

Ladbrokes Trophy – Newbury – November 30^th, 2019

The race which many older punters still refer to as the Hennessey Gold Cup.

Twelve months ago, I was very keen on the chances of the Alan King trained Dingo Dollar and I’m equally as keen on one for this year’s renewal of this historic staying handicap chase.

Here’s a brief betting preview of the race. Starting with last season’s race fancy Dingo Dollar.

Dingo Dollar – I wouldn’t put anyone off the 7-year-olds chance again at 33/1. Twelve months ago, he ran a fine race, jumping well from the front and was only beaten three out before eventually finishing 3^rd of 12. Granted he didn’t really build on that fine effort on three subsequent starts last season and was pulled up when sent off the 5/2 favourite at Cheltenham in April.

He ran well in the same prep race as last year when 3^rd of 9 over hurdle at Newbury at the start of the month. As Alan King said in his recent Racing Post Stable Tour “He’s not a proper winter horse as he doesn’t want bottomless ground and he’s best going left-handed”.

Last year’s Ladbroke Trophy was run on soft ground so should this year’s renewal be run on good or good to soft he could easily run into the places again although it must be said this does look tougher.

On The Blind Side – The 7-year-old, trained by Nicky Henderson,is an interesting contender. In the trainers Racing Post Stable Tour he said of On The Blind Side: “He ran a good race at Ascot on Saturday, but is still a little timid in behind horses, so Nico was very keen to give him plenty of daylight. He finished his race encouragingly, so I’m pleased with that and see him as a stayer. We could look at the Ladbrokes Trophy”.

He finished 4^th of 16 behind the well handicapped Vinndication over 3m at Ascot last time and shapes like the extra distance of the Ladbroke Trophy will really suit. He beat subsequent Bet365 Gold Cup winner Talkischeap in a Kempton novices’ chase early in the year.

The trainer could also run ante-post race favourite Ok Corral but if he does improve On the Blind Side could be a nicely handicapped staying chaser. Best form over fences & hurdles has so far come on good to soft. At a best priced 20/1 he will appeal as a lively each way contender for a trainer who has done well in the race in the past.

Da Rasher Counter – Trained by Emma Lavelle and like On The Blind Side is a second season chaser. The 7-year-old got better with experience over fences last season beating Walt here last December before ending last season with a 3m heavy ground success at Uttoxeter in March off 9lb lower. In between those two wins he was runner-up Now McGinty, trying to give 6lb, who boosted that form when running Santini to head on his recent seasonal reappearance. 

The best of last seasons form means he comes into the Ladbroke Trophy of what looks a workable mark off 149.  The son of Yeats has yet to race beyond 3m but gives of the impression he will stay further.  He’s been nicely backed for the race but the 16/1 still available looks each way value to this pundit.

Verdict: Dingo Dollar, On The Blind Side and De Rasher Counter interest me most for the race at the time of writing. De Rasher Counter and On The Blind Side are my each way selections, but I doubt he will be my only bets in the race.

1pt each way – De Rasher Counter – 16/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places ¼ odds)

1pt each way – On The Blind Side – 16/1 @ Bet365 & BetVictor (both paying 4 places ¼ odds)

Champion Chase – Cheltenham Festival 2020

My first foray into next year’s Cheltenham Festival ante post betting.  

On Saturday we shall see if Altior is heading for further than 2m this season. Altior has won the last two Champion Chases and although he’s likely to be aimed at the 3m King George VI Chase at Kempton should he win at Ascot on Saturday. Uncertainty as to what race he will go for at the Cheltenham Festival means he can still be backed at 5/1 with William Hill for the Champion Chase. That seems a crazy price for a horse of his star quality.

He’s also that price because the ante-post favourite for the race is Chacun Pour Soi. The Willie Mullins trained 7-year-old, won both his starts for the trainer last spring. He was particularly impressive when beating Defi De Seuil by over four lengths in the Grade 1 novice chase at the Punchestown Festival.

Defi De Seuil last years JLT Novices’ Chase winner. Looks like he will be staying over 2m this season after an impressive seasonal return when winning the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham. The 6-year-old goes so well at Cheltenham that he has to be considered a strong contender at the Festival for either the Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase.  We will know which race he heads to after next months Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. Hopefully it will be the Champion Chase for the gelding.  Given his course and Cheltenham Festival record he looks to have an outstanding each way claims at 10/1.

Verdict: Chacun Pour Soi could be a special 2m chaser in the making and could easily give Willie Mullins an elusive win the Champion Chase but for me he has prove himself on a track like Cheltenham which both Altior and Defi De Seuil don’t. It’s the latter each way for me but I wouldn’t put anyone off Altior at 5/1 either.

1pt each way – Defi De Seuil – 10/1 @ William Hill

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was so near yet so far for Creationist who finished runner-up in the London Middle Distance Series Final at Kempton yesterday.

There’s a good card at Warwick on Wednesday with a really, interesting novice chase the feature race of the card. At Kempton we have a Listed race and a Class 2 handicap which are the highlights of an eight-race card.

Warwick

2:10 – Five go to post for this novice chase and four of the runners are having their first start over the larger obstacles. The one horse with previous chase experience is Not That Fuisse. The Dan Skelton trained 6-year-old, sets a decent standard having split Al Dancer & Getaway Trump at Cheltenham 26-days ago. That said you would be disappointed if one of the newcomers wasn’t good enough here.

Master Fisher, Torpillo & Lisp were all decent hurdlers and are expected to go well over the larger obstacles.

The one I like most Lisp trained by Alan King. The 5-year-old will be all the fitter for a recent pipe opener over hurdles at Ascot.  A winner on soft ground over hurdles so underfoot conditions shouldn’t be a problem.

The trainer hasn’t hidden he’s got a good set of novice chasers and in his recent Racing Post Stable Tour he said, “I’ve been very pleased with how Lisp has schooled ahead of his switch to fences”.

2pts win – Lisp – 5/2 – Gen

3:10 – I like the look of Wild Wild West in this veteran’s chase. We have to take on trust that the 10-year-old retains his ability, as he’s failed to complete on his last five starts since winning at Chepstow off 3lb higher back in December 2017.

He’s had a summer wind-op, has gone well fresh in the past 2 wins from 4 runs +8 3 placed when returning from a 121+day absence and the softer the ground the better as three of his four career wins have come on heavy ground.

1pt win – Wild Wild West – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Kempton

6:40 – Infrastructure, trained by Martyn Meade,looks interesting in this 2m Class 2 handicap. The 4-year-old improved with each of his four starts on the turf this summer. A winner at Chester back in July. He put in a career best when 3^rd of 17 on his first start over 2m at York’s Ebor Festival.

First run since York, so fitness must be taken on trust and this first go on the all-weather.  Up 2lb but he’s unexposed over staying distances and if he takes to the surface, he won’t be far away.  At his best when coming of a decent gallop so let’s hope they don’t crawl in the early stages of the race.

1pt win – Infrastructure – 4/1 – Gen

Cheers

John

Hi all,

The delayed weekly notebook is double action-packed edition of eyecatcher’s from the previous two weeks British & Irish racing.

The best of this weeks racing is reserved for Friday onwards. On Friday it’s the first day of two-day meeting at Ascot. 

On Saturday we have the mouth-watering prospect of Altior v Cyrname  in the 2:05 at Ascot. Should that match-up take place it will take some of the headlines away from Haydock where it’s Betfair Chase Day. Bristol De Mai bids for a hat trick of wins in the Grade 1 chase at the Lancashire track but will face competition from the progressive Lostintranslation & Frodon.

On Sunday attention switches across the Irish Sea to Navan where it’s the valuable Ladbrokes sponsored Troytown Handicap Chase.

So, some great racing to look forward to but let’s have a look at the horses that have entered my tracker in the past two weeks. This week I have nine eyecatchers for you. They include four trained by Venetia Williams, it could have been five, but one was found to be lame after his run at Cheltenham on Saturday, and two Irish handicap hurdlers who can win off their present marks.

Eyecatchers – W/e November 10^th

Saturday November 9th

Aintree

Present Value – Evan Williams

The 5-year-old made a nice chase debut when runner-up to all the way winner Champagne Mystery on the novices’ handicap chase that opened the Saturday card. Granted he was well beaten by the winner at the finish, but he jumped soundly through the race and given this was only his 4^th career start it was a great effort.

In his Racing Post Stable Tour the trainer had said the horse was a “big baby” last season who had “strengthened up over the summer”. Given his relative inexperience it was surprising to see him sent off the 11/4 favourite of what looked a competitive race. He’s starts his chase career off what looks a workable mark and can win races over fences this winter.

Cepage – Venetia Williams

Carrying top-weight of 11-12, the 7-year-old was making his seasonal reappearance in the 2m 4f Class 2 handicap chase. First run since finishing runner-up to Frodon in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last December. He jumped well through the race but came up against a well handicapped rival, on the day in, Riders Onthe Storm.

The handicapper has put him up 5lb for this effort which makes life tougher, but he will no doubt go back to Cheltenham for another tilt at next months Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Despite his rise in the weights for not winning his last two runs, I will be disappointed if he doesn’t pick up a decent pot over the winter.

Kelso

Slanelough – Rose Dobbin

A useful handicap hurdler he didn’t run badly over fences last season, despite not winning any of six starts. Failed to complete on his last three start, form figures UFU, but he was staying on when unseating at Haydock two out and was still in contention when falling back at the same venue in February.

The 7-year-old unseated his ride at the second on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby. He completed this time when 2^nd of 10 in the 2m 5 ½ f handicap chase. He handles soft & heavy ground and could stay further on the evidence of this run. He can win a handicap chase up North at this level over the winter.

Sunday November 10^th

Navan

Encore Lui – Liz Doyle

Made a very encouraging second start over hurdles when finishing 2^nd of 19 here. This was just the 5-year-old’s fifth career start and his first start since March. It looked he was going to win coming to the last, but he had no answer to the winner’s strong finish after the last.  

This was a clear career best. Given he’s lightly raced there could be more to come and I’m sure he can win races off his present mark, on winter ground.

Sandown

Chambard – Venetia Williams

A winner of a soft ground Exeter maiden hurdle back in January, before finishing runner-up at Ludlow on his next start under his 6lb penalty.  The 7-year-old made a satisfactory chase debut when runner up to Champagne Court. He didn’t jump well in the early stages in the race, but it did improve the longer the race went.

Looks like he can make a better chaser than hurdler, should be all the better for the experience and have no problem in winning something similar.

Eyecatchers – W/e November 17^th

Wednesday November 13th

Bangor-on-Dee

Commodore – Venetia Williams

A winner of both his starts over fences last season at Warwick & Sandown. Despite a 13lb rise in the weights for the last of those successes, he was well fancied to make a winning seasonal reappearance in the 3m Class 2 handicap chase. Unfortunately for his backers he found heavy ground, after 249-days absence just too much of a test. 

Jumping well from the front, he ran well for a long way and was only headed two out. Slipped on landing after the last and was run out of the places on the run in and eventually finished a tired fifth. He wasn’t subjected to hard race once his winning chase had gone.

An excellent jumper he handles soft ground and remains capable of being better than a 135 rated handicap chaser.

Saturday November 16^th

Cheltenham

Belami Des Pictons – Venetia Williams

Yet another one from the Venetia William stable.

Cheltenham’s November Meeting tends not be a happy hunting ground for trainer Venetia Williams. In the past five years she’s had 0 winners from 17 runners -17 1 placed 6% and there was luck for her this year either.

However, couple of this year’s runners went well none more so than Belami Des Pictons in the BetVictor Gold Cup. This was only his third run in the past two years, so he’s clearly not been the easiest to keep sound.

Having his first start since pulling up in February. He got hampered at the second and soon found himself at the back of the field. To his credit. He managed to work his way through the field to finish a never nearer 4th of 17 at the finish.

He stays 3m, is suited to the mud and looks on a competitive handicap mark. There’s a decent pot to be won with him.

Sunday November 17^th

Cheltenham

Dame De Compagnie – Nicky Henderson

Off since winning here over 2m 4 ½ f in April 2018 the mare was having her first start for 577-days in the competitive Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. Despite her long absence from the track that didn’t stop punters backing her into 6/1. The slow early pace probably didn’t suit the 6-year-old who was outpaced three out, but she was staying on all the way to line to take 5^th.

In recent Racing Post Stable Tour the trainer said he was “delighted with how she’s training and we’ve schooled her over fences, so she could switch, but I quite like her hurdle mark”.

She should be all the better for this run and connections keep her over hurdles there’s a race in her off her present mark, especially when racing over further. Likewise, when she goes chasing, she can make the grade over the larger obstacles. Both her hurdles wins came on good ground but she’s just as effective on soft too.

Punchestown

A Great View – Dennis Cullen

The 8-year-old was having just his second start since winning a valuable 3m handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April 2018.  Racing off just 4lb higher and having his first start since December over what looked an inadequate 2m.  Not surprisingly he was doing all his best work at the finish to finish when fourth to Drop The Anchor.

He showed his well-being here and if he can build on this run, looks on a competitive handicap mark when returned to further. All his best form has come on soft or heavy ground.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Kempton

3:20 – Matchbook London Middle Distance Series Final Handicap (Class 2) 1m 3f

A field of 14 have been declared for this competitive middle-distance series final. Just The Man, Good Tidings and Creationist were 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th in a serious qualifier here 19-days ago.

Just The Man has run well on his three starts here and showed a good attitude to hold of his rivals to win. Up 3lb but looks set to run his race again.

Good Tidings, on his handicap debut, came into the race seeking the hat trick after wins at Lingfield & Newcastle. He settled better than he had done on his previous at Newcastle and came with what looked like a winning run a furlong out, but he could never get past the winner inside the final furlong. He get’s a 1lb for a neck beating and the first-time visor has been applied.  Lightly raced and could improve further.

Creationist was slowly away and did well to finish as close as he did in fourth. That was his first start since both a gelding and wind-operation. Given the race was steadily run his effort can be marked up. Off the same mark here and could finish ahead of Just The Man & Good Tidings on this occasion.

The Pinto Kid has won three of his five starts at Kempton, two over C&D. Last time out he won a slowly run 1m 6f handicap at Chelmsford, off 4lb lower.  Might need further but goes so well here that he can’t be ruled out.

Kitaabaat finished third behind the Pinto Kid at Chelmsford. He’s since gone onto win here over 1m 4f. Held up in a slowly run race he came with sweeping challenge down the middle of the track and just managed to get his head in front on the line. The 4-year-old’s form figures since stepping up to middle distances and joining David Simcock is 3131. He’s got a decent turn of foot for the grade as he showed last time. Stall 12 isn’t the best but given he’s only up 2lb for his last win, he can go well. 

Island Brave was returning from a 74-day break and ran well to finish third behind Kitaabaat. Six of his career wins have come on the synthetics.  The 5-year-old gets a 1lb from the winner for a ¼ length beating and the useful Angus Villiers takes off a further 7lb. He should continue to remain competitive although may be better over a bit further.

Verdict: A really, good race for a Tuesday on the all-weather. Kitaabaat looks ahead of the handicapper, and his change of gear could prove vital if stall 12 doesn’t prove an inconvenience. Island Brave has each way claims with Angus Villiers taking 7lb off the top weight. Creationist ran an eyecatcher here last time and could reverse form with Just A Man & Good Tidings, the latter may improve further for the fitting of the first-time visor.

0.5pts each way – Island Brave – 11/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)

1pt win – Creationist – 8/1 @ Bet365

Cheers

John

Morning all,

What a cracking few days it’s been on the profits front.  Duc De Beauchene’s win (10/3) in the first at Cheltenham meant losses were minimised on Sunday. Granted both selections in the Greatwood Hurdle ran poorly but the winner Harambe was one of the horses mentioned in the race preview and the other horse mentioned in the race preview finished 5^th.

Things are going the right way and I’m pleased with how the month is going. Let’s hope next weekend we can continue the winning run.

Not sure there will be many selections until Friday but as ever keep an eye on your inbox.

My latest set of eyecatchers which cover the last two weeks of racing, will be with you on Tuesday.

Good luck with your bets this week.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Wins by Happy Diva & West Approach meant yet another profitable day for the service. The last few days have been incredible. The run will no doubt soon come to an end so let’s enjoy it while it’s here.

It’s the final day of Cheltenham’s November Meeting with the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle being the highlight of a seven-race card.

Cheltenham

12:45 – All the last ten winners of the race from 56 runners 21 placed were having their first run for 121+days.

Just four of the 20 declared runners are making their seasonal reappearance so it will be interesting to see if this strong trend holds up today. The qualifiers are Lugarno Palace, Ozzy Thomas, Duc De Beauchene & Volcano.

Duc De Beauchene is trained by David Pipe whose 3 winners from 7 runners 43% +46 4 placed 57% with his runners in the race returning from a 121+day absence. The softer the better for the 6-year-old who returns from a summer break and a wind-op here. The booking of Jonjo O’Neill Jnr is an eye-catching one and he will take all the beating in this conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle.

A day’s since run trend buster would be Colditz Castle. The 5-year-old shaped like he would be suited by a step up in distance when 3^rd of 13 at Worcester last month. Seemed to handle soft ground on the one occasion he raced on it last season and won’t be far away for trainer Alan King who has traditionally done well at the meeting.

1pt win – Duke De Beauchene – 10/3 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

2:25 – Shloer Chase (Registered As The Cheltenham Chase) (Grade 2) – 2m

Just the four go to post for this valuable prize. You can make a case for all four runners but at the prices it may pay to support the race fit Saint Calvados who proved he handled the track when winning over C&D 22-days ago. No issues with underfoot conditions as he’s 4 wins from 7 runs +2.94 on soft or heavy.

1pt win – Saint Calavados – 9/2 @ Paddy Power or 4/1 @ Ladbrokes

3:00 – Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 2m ½ f

Paul Nicholls has also won this race twice in the past ten years. He saddles Quel Destin who on a heavy ground hurdle over C&D at the last meeting. The 4-year-old must be considered a contender on his handicap hurdle debut and meets all the above three trends.

I made a case for an Alan King runner in the first race and he won this race in 2017. His runner Harambe needs respecting on the best of last seasons form.

Nicky Henderson is 0 winners from 10 runners 3 placed in the race in the past ten years. He saddles two each way contenders in Countister who was a close-up 3rd of 24 in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He also runs Dame De Compagnie also owned by J P McManus, who won here in April 2018, over 2m 4 ½ f. This is the mares first run for 577-days but is the choice of Barry Geraghty.

1pt win – QuEL Destin – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

0.5pts each way – Countister – 16/1 @ Ladbrokes (Paying 5 places 1/5 odds)

Besides Cheltenham there are a couple of races of interest across the Irish Sea at Cork & Punchestown.

Cork

3:10 – The talented but frustrating, Blast Of Koeman has the ability to win a handicap chase like this.  However, as his career record of 2 wins from 27 runners shows he often fails to deliver. He arguably put up his best performance over fences last season when 3^rd of 10 in this race 12 months ago. A beaten favourite that day he will pop up sometime this season when all the cards fall right.

1pt win – Blast Of Koeman – 7/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power

Punchestown

3:20 – Trainer Eoghan O’Grady did us a favour on Thursday with Westerner Point and he has each way claims in this handicap chase with Mick The Jiver. The 9-year-old returned from a 316-day absence with a promising 4^th of 10 at Galway 21-days ago. He will be all the better for his seasonal reappearance and although he may prefer a bit further the more of a stamina test the better his chance.  

0.5pts each way – Mick The Jiver – 14/1 @ Bet365 or 12/1 – Gen

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I doubt there will be a repeat of Thursday, but you never know. A cracking eight race card at Cheltenham and if you prefer the all-weather then Lingfield in the place for you as they plenty of listed races to enjoy.

Cheltenham

1:50 – BetVictor Smartcards Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 3m 3 ½ f

With the going likely to be heavy proven winning form on the ground and an ability to see to out their races is going to be an important attribute for today’s winners.

Not surprisingly to see top weight Ramses De Teillee head the market. The 7-year-old is 4 wins from 8 runs +5.11 6 placed on heavy and returns to the larger obstacles after a win over hurdles here at the last meeting.

Big River is another with winning form on heavy – 3 wins from 5 runs +3.66 4 placed. He returns from a 217-day break and is also having his first run since a wind op. His record when returning from a 121+ day absence is an encouraging 2 wins from 5 runs +0.88 4 placed. He’s 1lb lower than when 4th of 24 here at the Festival in March and will appreciate today’s extra two furlongs.

Pop Rockstar ticks some of the key trends required to win the race and returned to action with a win at Carlisle on his seasonal reappearance. Has three furlongs further to travel here but he’s unexposed over fences and looks set to be suited by the stamina sapping conditions.

West Approach returned to action with a good effort when 2^nd of 15 here at the last meeting. He doesn’t win very often just 4 from 31 but all four wins have come in single digit fields so today’s seven runner field could be in his favour. The 9-year-old was well backed last time and looks on a competitive handicap mark.

1pt win – West Approach – 9/2 – Gen

2:25 – BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – 2m 4f

The big betting race of the meeting and despite the testing ground sixteen of the eighteen declared runners have stood their ground.

Seven of the last ten winner of this race had placed 2 or 3 times at the track. There are five qualifiers in this year’s race: Slate House, Siruh Du Lac, Spiritofthegames, Happy Diva, & Highway One O One.

Happy Diva made a satisfactory return to action when runner-up to Guiter Pete at Wetherby 15-days ago. The mare is a consistent handicap chaser who was still going well when brought down in this race 12 months ago. Has plenty of good form around here and has winning form on heavy.

Siruh Du Lac kept progressing with each race over fences last season winning all four of his starts making 2 from 3 at Cheltenham when winning the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The form of that win has been boosted by the runner-up Janika who returned to action last week with a win in the valuable Haldon Gold Cup. Granted the 6-year-old is 9lb higher now but he jumps well round Cheltenham and looks capable of progressing further this season. A bold jumper who goes well around here and shouldn’t be far away in a race he’s been targeted.

Slate House was impressive when winning over C&D at the last meeting. That was his first run since a wind-op at the procedure certainly seems to have worked the trick, as he saw his race out very well. Big contender if his jumping holds up in a big field handicap.

Spiritofthegames goes well fresh and was far behind Siruh Du Lac in third at the festival.  The 7-year-old handles the ground and is weighted to beat Siruh De Lac. Solid each way contender.

Highway One O One has run well around here in the past and should be fine on the ground. The 7-year-old looks capable of winning more races of his present mark, but this is a hot race an he may be better suited to a smaller field.

1pt win – Siruh De Lac – 15/2 @ William Hill

0.5pts each way – Happy Diva – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes – each way (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)

3:00 – Spinal Injuries Association Big Buck’s Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) (Class 1) – 3m

Tobefair battled on well to win a Pertemps Series Qualifier over C&D at the last meeting. Up 5lb but he goes well here, runner-up in last season’s Pertemps Final at the Festival, before winning at the April Meeting. Finds plenty for pressure and although the 9-year-old is vulnerable to any unexposed horses in the field looks sure to give his backers another good run for their money.

1pt win – Tobefair – 5/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

Cheers

John

Hi all,

It was due to happen two big priced winners’ courtesy of Westerner Point and Walt. Just a shame they weren’t 1pt bets but apart from that I was delighted.

I was due to put up selections at Cheltenham but with that meeting cancelled there are no Friday selections.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Commodore was disappointing yesterday, but he did go well for a long way. Just a combination of heavy ground on his seasonal reappearance got him beat.  He’s not one to give up on just yet.

Clonmel

2:15 – Westerner Point is rated 30lb lower over hurdles than fences. The 10-year-old was well beaten on his seasonal reappearance at Galway and must leave that performance well behind here if he’s to get competitive. There is a decent chance that he can do better here. Last time 2m ½ f was to short for him and today’s 3m trip is more in his favour. A previous course winner it’s worth noting he was only beaten a head in this race two years ago off 2lb lower. Each way claims on soft ground if coming on for his previous run.

0.5pts each way – Westerner Point – 16/1 – Gen

Taunton

3:40 – Walt is just 1lb higher than when winning a a much better race at Kempton back in February.  A C&D winner last December he’s well suited to a sharp 3m on right-handed track. Not so good on either start since a summer break but bounced back for a disappointing seasonal reappearance last year to win here. Each way claims if bouncing back on ground that should suit the 8-year-old.

0.5pts each way – Walt – 14/1 @ Bet365

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A decent Class 2 handicap chase at Bangor today.

Bangor

1:50 – Anne Duchess Of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m

The fairly short priced favourite is the Venetia Williams trained Commodore. The 7-year-old made it 2 from 2 over fences last season when winning at Sandown in March. An excellent jumper he handles soft ground, placed on heavy and looks more than capable of being better than a 135 rated handicap chaser. Won first time up last season and trainer Venetia Williams has won this race four times since 2010.

Arthur’s Gift was an eyecatcher last time at Carlisle when sent off the 15/8 favourite on his seasonal reappearance 27-days ago. Best form has come on soft ground so ground conditions may not have been soft enough for the 8-year-old who remains capable of better over fences. Not sure he’s as well handicapped as the favourite but will be fitter for his Carlisle run.

Kayf Adventure hasn’t won beyond 2m 5f so must prove his stamina for 3m on heavy ground, The one big thing in the 8-year-old favour is the going form figures of 11612 on heavy ground. Won first time up last season and has each way claims if he stays.

Classic Ben’s form is solid, and the 6-year-old should be capable of winning a decent pot over the winter. Calipso Collonges probably needed last month’s seasonal reappearance at Fakenham and he’s another who will be suited by today’s underfoot conditions and is just 2lb higher than for hislast win. He’s another with place claims.

Verdict: I’m loathe to back against Arthur’s Gift who looks on a competitive mark but it was hard not to be impressed with Commodore’s two starts over fences last season and he can give Venetia Williams another win in this handicap chase.

2pts win – Commodore @ 9/4 @ Bet365 & Unibet

Cheers

John