Category: Victor Value

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

Hi all,

Nice to end the weekend with a profitable day courtesy of Lord Of the Island’s win at Sandown and Dark Flame’s second placed effort in the veterans chase.

No Selections today and I’m not expecting much action on the selections front until Friday and the start of Cheltenham’s three-day November Meeting.

Keep an eye on your inbox for any updates. My weekly eyecatcher’s email will be with you on Wednesday, if there are any.

Cheers

John

Morning all,

A bitterly disappointing day. Two seconds but poor runs from Clan Legend in particular and my two selections in the Badger Beers Chase.

Sandown

12:45 – Lord Of The Island is lightly raced for an 11-year-old, this is just his 14^th career start. Won a a Grade 3 handicap hurdle here over 3m, on heavy, back in February 2017. Just three runs since but showed when 4^th of 13 at Exeter in February that he can be competitive off his present mark. Might prefer further but with the ground on the heavy side it wll bring his stamina into play. First run for 234-days but the trainers runners continue in good form and he’s 8-29 28% +23.13 with runners at the track in the past 5-years.

1pt win – Lord of The Island – 13/2 @ Betway & Paddy Power

3:30 – It might be worth chancing Dark Flame who returns from 736-day break here. The 10-year-old returns to action off what looks a tempting handicap.  Just the six races over fences he’s got the least mileage of the field of this field of veterans.  Won the novices handicap chase on this card in 2016 off 217-day break. It will be interesting to see how he goes in the market. Clearly you must take on trust that some of his old ability remains but if it does, he would be a threat to all off 124.

0.5pts each way – Dark Flame – 18/1 @ Bet365

Navan

2:45 – Pilgrim Way returned from a mammoth 995-day lay off when finishing runner-up at Cork before going onto win over 2m 4f back at the same venue 19-days later. That win marked the 8-year-old down as horse capable of more progress. Up 9lb for his Cork success and back at 2m, might be better over further, but we know he runs well after an absence and the going will at least bring his stamina into play.

1pt each way – Pilgrim Way – 9/1 @ Bet365 (paying 4 places ¼ odds)

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Well we got a winner out of Dundalk last evening and a couple of thirds, so it was an interesting trial that’s worth preserving with next Friday.

On to Saturday’s action. As was expected we lost the last meeting of the flat season with the abandonment of Doncaster. So, the focus is firmly on jumping with the Badger Ales Handicap Chase & Grade 2 Elite Hurdle the highlights of a seven-race card at Wincanton. There’s also jumps action at Aintree, Kelso and Naas.

Wincanton

3:00 – Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) – 1m 7 ½ f

I’m a big fan of Fusil Raffles who could well be a serious Champion Hurdle. He’s priced up like he’s a good thing at 1/2. I just prefer Grand Sancy at the prices. The 5-year-old really likes it around here form figures 2211, the last of those wins came in the Kingwell Hurdle over C&D in February. All four of his career wins have come on good ground and although he fell at Kempton on his seasonal return he’s normally been a sound jumper. If there are any chinks in the favourites armoury or he lacks 100% fitness, then he can exploit them.

1pt win – Grand Sancy – 4/1 @ Bet365

3:35 – Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Listed Race) – 3m 1f

The race of the day and a field of 14 are set to go to post for this year’s renewal. I like five here. Present Man, White Moon, Sumkindofking. Beau Du Brizais and Just A Sting.

Present Man won this last year on his seasonal return and bids for back to back wins off just 4lb higher. Lack of a recent run isn’t a negative as his form figures either first time up or after a 121+days lay off are 12111. He has four wins on good ground but also handles softer and is 4-10 here at Wincanton. So, the 9-year-old ticks the all-important boxes marked going, course and distance and will be fully primed up to run well.

White Moon was very in and out over fences last season, not really building winning on his Exeter win. Looked to be on a competitive mark on his seasonal reappearance here over 1f further 13-days. The 7-year-old travelled well through that race and looked to have the race at his mercy when falling at the last. The handicapper has raised him 5lb but he remains on a competitive mark and looks sure to go close with a clear round.

Sumkindofking was 2 ½ lengths second behind Present Man in this race 12 months ago. The 8-year-old made a satisfactory seasonal reappearance when 4^th in the race where White Moon fell. Should be all the better for that run but needs the ground to stay on the good side. If it does he should be in the money once again.

Beau Du Brizais finished runner-up in the Wincanton race. He’s a consistent handicap chaser and last time was career best. The handicapper has nudged him up another 4lb which makes life tougher but he’s another with each way claims if the ground stays good.

Just A Sting has just had the five starts over fences winning twice.  Didn’t build on his first two starts last season and ended the season pulling up in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. Seems best in the early part of the season and his form figures on his first start are 121. Well suited to good or good to soft ground and should stay 3m 1f. First time cheekpieces are applied and a big run can be expected. Even if the trainer’s runners haven’t really hit top gear so far this autumn.

1pt win – White Moon – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

1pt win- Present Man – 6/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

2:05 – Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f

War Sound won this 12-months ago off 2lb lower. The 10-year-old wasn’t as good four subsequent starts but he’s well suited to flat track like Aintree and of course goes well off a lay off.  Shouldn’t be far away at the finish.

Cepage is having his first run since finishing runner-up to Frodon in last December’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. He’s 4lb higher now but looks to have a favourites chance despite top weight of 11-12. Handles soft ground well and as he showed at Cheltenham, he’s goes well fresh.

The Russian Doyen won two of his four starts as novice last season, including is seasonal reappearance. First start since finishing 4^th of 20 in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Capable of more improvement as a second season chaser and should go.

1pt win – Cepage – 7/2 – Gen

1pt win – The Russian Doyen – 6/1 @Bet365

Kelso

1:55 – I’m taking Clan Legend to cause a bit of s surprise in this Class 3 handicap chase.This son of Midnight Legend has been a consistent handicap chaser, although he was below par on his three starts last season. The key to the 9-year-old chance is soft or heavy ground. When heavy is in the going description he’s 6 wins from 15 runs +13.58. He also seems to come to hand in the early part of the season. up until last season he had won on seasonal reappearance in the each of the last three years and his form figures on soft/heavy ground during November/December are 1111415.Last season’s below par runs mean he’s dropped back down to a winnable mark and his trainer has been among the winners.

2pts win – Clan Legend – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Dashel Drasher ran a cracker to finish second yesterday but was not match for The Champ who put in one of the best chasing displays by a novice this season. Chef D’Equipe almost landed us a 10/1 winner but failed by a head to overhaul Azzerti. Fair play to David Maxwell who showed how strong he can be in a finish, albeit his style is somewhat rustic.

Plenty of racing today but it’s quantity rather than quality.  I’m getting into Friday nights at Dundalk. I used to love the track but for the last couple of seasons, when I have dabbled my efforts have been dismal.  However, for those interested I have four selections running this evening.  As you will note the staking advice reflects my confidence until I know I have managed to get a handle on how the form is going.

Dundalk

6:15 – Eacharn’s two career wins have come here and he ran well to finish 3^rd of 14 over C&D 9-day ago. That was the 5-year-old’s second run after a summer break, and he should be spot on for today. Good draw in stall one for a prominent runner and he’s now 2lb below his last winning mark.

0.5pts win – Eacharn – 11/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes

6:45 –The mare Clonville has yet to win on the all-weather 0 wins from 5 runs but she put in a career best here 9-days ago when a staying on 3^rd of 14 in a similar race. That was her first start back from a 63-day break. She was drawn out in stall 14 that day and the two who finished in front of her were in stalls 1 & 2. In the circumstance it was probably a slightly better run than her position suggests. Clearly, she’s not the most consistent of horses but she will pop up here over the coming weeks off her low mark.

0.5pts win – Clonville – 12/1 @ William Hill

7:45 – Sirjack Thomas was having his first start on the all-weather when 4^th of 14 here 21-day ago. He was doing his best work at the finish over 7f so the step up to a mile should be fine. Has a decent enough draw in stall six and is expected to go close.

0.5pts win – Sirjack Thomas – 11/1 @ Paddy Power

8:15 – Trainer Denis Coakley & Ross Coakley have a good record at Dundalk when teaming up in handicap races and they combined for success here on Wednesday. They team up with Park Row in this 1m 4f handicap. The 9-year-old has won six time at the track, including four over C&D. Shaped as if another win wasn’t far away when 4^th of 13 here 14-days ago. Back up to 1m 4f this evening and should bang there from what looks a winnable mark.

0.5pts win – Park Row – 6/1 @ Bet365

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Not sure what happened yesterday but was it was a disappointing day. On to Thursday and couple of selections running at Newbury.

Newbury

2:05 – A beginners’ chase over 2m 6 ½ f.Six runners have been declared with The Champ the hot favourite to make a winning start to fences. A winner of the Challow Hurdle here last December he then went onto finish runner-up in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before landing a Group 1 at Aintree in April. No problem with the trip, won over 3m ½ f at Aintree, for the 7-year-old who will be tough to beat.

Beakstown was runner-up to Sam Spinner on his chase debut at Wetherby 22-days and the winner has gone onto win again at the weekend. A Grade 2 winning hurdler last season but has a bit to fins with the favourite. His best form has come on good to soft/good ground and is expected to do very well in the novice division this season.  His chase experience could prove vital in closing stages of the race.

Dashel Drasher is a fascinating runner. The 6-year-old was well placed to win his last four starts over hurdles although he didn’t win at Graded level last season is rated 4lb higher according to Racing Post Ratings (RPR’s). Seasonal debut and first run over the larger obstacles. Made all for his wins over hurdles and could have a solo out in front today.

1pt win – Dashel Drasher – 15/2 @ Bet365

3:40 – Mr David Maxwell’s jockey style might not suit everyone, but he’s improved plenty and as he proved at Wincanton recently his strength in the saddle can get a horse home. He rides Chef D’Equipe in this handicap chase. The 7-year-old was runner-up in this race 12 months ago and can race off 2lb lower this time around. Would liked to have seen more from him on his seasonal reappearance, when down the field at Wetherby, but I’m expecting better today.

0.5pts each way – Chef D’Equipe – 8/1 @ Bet365

Cheers

John

Hi all,

I thought Dolos might get up but fair play to Janika who has improved for the summer break.  Two interesting sprint handicaps on the all-weather this evening at Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Kempton

6:40 – Buridan & Warsaw Road were first & second in a handicap at Newacstle 15-days ago. Both should go well again. Although the winner was having his first start for 80-days and first start on the all-weather. Warsaw Road only gets 1lb for a neck defeat from Buridan and that one is unexposed on the synthetics. Intisaab was 6th in the Newcastle race and gets 5lb from the winner for a 2 ¼ length beating. Finished a close-up second on his only start here back in November 2017 off 11lb higher. Needs all the cards to fall right but handicapped to go well if in the mood. Pass The Vino was in great form in the summer winning at Newmarket and finishing runner-up into valuable handicaps at Newmarket & Ascot. Not so good on his last three starts but soft ground wouldn’t have suited him at York last time and the previous run was on the dirt in Korea. Won on the tapeta at Wolverhampton back in March so should be fine on surface. 

1pt win – Pass The Vino – 9/1 – Gen

1pt win – Buridan – 11/2 – Gen

Wolverhampton

6:55 – A Class 3 handicap over 5f. Rocket Action won over C&D two starts back, off 6lb lower, and improved further when runner-up at Chelmsford 46-days ago. Remains on an upward curve and looks to have good draw in stall 2. Orvar & The Daley Express were 3^rd & 4^th in a big field handicap at York 26-days ago. Orvar has only had two starts here, winning over C&D in February 2018, off today’s mark. The Daley Express won over C&D (Class 4) two starts back off 5lb lower but showed at York that he remains in good form and has a similar chance to Orvar at the weights. This is a class higher than his last win here, but the 5-year-old remains capable of going close from stall 3.

1pt win – Orvar – 11/2 – Gen

1pt win – The Daley Express – 15/2 @ Paddy Power or 7/1 – 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.

Latest eyecatcher to get into the winner enclosure was Gumball who landed the Listed Sodexo Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

There are more Gumball’s below, indeed there are 12 for your trackers although there could have been a fair few more.  You can tell the jumps season has now hit top gear.

Eyecatchers – W/e October 27^th

Friday October 25^th

Cheltenham

Breaking Waves – Noel Williams

The 5-year-old won a novice hurdle at Huntingdon last season, a track the gelding also won his bumper at, before ending his season when 4^th of 10, under his penalty, at Newbury back in March. Returning from a 217-day absence. Coming from well back he made steady headway and was running on after the last to snatch 4^th.  Saw out the 2m5f here well and looks capable of satying further.  Sent off joint 6/1 favourite which shows that connections think they have a horse on a winnable mark.

Oakley – Philip Hobbs

The 6-year-old has looked progressive when winning a novice hurdle at Ludlow last December before following up on his handicap hurdle debut at Kempton a month later.

Oakley was having his first start for 286-days when finishing 3^rd of 13 behind Benny’s Bridge in the 2m ½ f handicap hurdle. The handicapper had raised him just 5lb for his Kempton success. Ran like the run was needed and should improve plenty for it. The son of Oscar should get a further than 2m and remains one to be interested off his present mark if staying over hurdles.

Saturday October 26^th

Cheltenham

Cogry – Nigel Twiston-Davies

The 10-year-old was having his first start since unseating his rider at the last in the Scottish Grand National in April. He made a good return to action when 3^rd of 15 behind The Conditional in the opening handicap chase on Cheltenham’s Saturday card. It’s a track he goes well, three of his career wins have come here. The last of which came off today’s mark last December.

His record in field sizes 9 & under are 7 wins from 13 runs 54% +22.62 9 placed 69%.

Whilst he run well in big fields his overall record is 1 win from 27 runs 4% -19. 8 placed 30%.

The veteran is handicapped to win again when he gets his optimum conditions.

Barbados Buck’s – Paul Nicholls

The first Cheltenham Meeting of the new winter jumps season concluded with what could turn out to be a very good bumper.

The one to take the eye before the race was Barbados Bucks. The 4-year-old a full brother to winning hurdler Barbados Blue and half-brother to winning chaser More Buck’s was still in contention coming to three out but a combination of race fitness and the heavy ground tolled on him in the final stages and he eventually finished a tired 7^th.  Weak the market before the race which suggests the run was needed.

Given his siblings were at their best on good ground underfoot conditions wouldn’t have been to his likening. He should come on plenty with this run under his belt and will do better on better ground going forward.

Sunday October 27^th

Aintree

Killaro Boy – Henry Oliver

Won a hunter chase on his debut for trainer Henry Oliver in May he then went on to run Brave Eagle to a nose in the valuable Summer Cup at Uttoxeter a month later. Both those runs came on good ground and his Uttoxeter performance was a career best for the 10-year-old.

Back from a 119-day absence in the veterans chase and 5lb higher than at Uttoxeter he was open to more progress than some of these veterans.

Always up with the pace, he jumped soundly and coming to the second last had all the field in trouble apart from eventual winner Burtons Well who swept by him at the last. He held on well for second and this was a nice start to the campaign.  Given the quality of his jumping he’s capable of winning of these races int eh coming weeks.

In the same race, Captain Redbeard will have pleased connections in finishing 4^th. The 10-year-old career record stands at 8 winners from 33 runners +26.5 15 placed but his optimum conditions seem to be distance up to 2m 7 ½ f, field sizes 9 or less and last raced within 30-days of his last start 7 wins from 13 runs 54% +40 8 placed 62%. He will be of interest with this run under his belt.

Wexford

Castlebrook – James Joseph Mangan

The 6-year-old will have gone into few notebooks after his win in the beginners’ chase. He clearly relished the heavy ground on his first start since April and his first run over fences.

Connections see him as a Grade 1 level in the making and the Grade 1 novices’ chase at Limerick was nominated as target by his trainer after the race. This win came over 2m 4f but he will get 3m+ with more experience.

Given his trainer isn’t a big name he could well go off at value price in better company.

Eyecatchers – W/e November 3^rd

Monday October 28th

Wexford

Roaring Bull – Gordon Elliott

I had been waiting for the 6-year-old to return to action. By Milan, out of a Presenting mare he’s certainly bred for chasing. Twice a winner over fences last season he looks the type of handicap chaser Gordon Elliott/Gigginstown excel with.

Sent off 25/1 in a four-runner race, not surprisingly he wasn’t competitive on his first start for 189-days. All the better for this run. He’s one to look out for in “Big Handicap Chases” this winter.

Thursday October 31st

Stratford

Kilfilum Cross – Henry Oliver

Took advantage of a lenient handicap mark on his first start for trainer Henry Oliver, when winning an amateur riders’ race at Ludlow in February. He improved further on his next start when finishing 2nd of 22 in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Ended last season with a below par effort at Ayr on ground that was probably quick enough for the 8-year-old.

Making his seasonal return after a 201-day absence over a trip (2m 4f) which seemed to short of his best.  Well he ran well to finish 3^rd of 12.

Will be all the better for his seasonal reappearance and I don’t think we have seen the best of the 8-year-old yet. He’s one to note for the rest of the season and has a decent handicap pot in him this season.

Saturday November 2^nd

Ascot

On The Slopes – Chris Gordon

A winner of a soft ground novice hurdle at Fontwell last December. The 5-year-old was described by his trainer as “a big backward horse” after his hurdle success. Jumped soundly when 4^th of 6 on his chase debut at Uttoxeter last month. He built on that promise when runner up to Doctor Dex in the novices’ handicap chase.

No match for the winner on the day he still managed to finish five lengths of the third. Softer ground than he faced here shouldn’t be an issue and he remains a work in progress over fences. I will be surprised if he can’t win something similar especially when his stable is in better form than at present.

Ayr

Fanfan Du Seuil – Tom George

Won a juvenile hurdle at Exeter last November and put in a career best when 5^th of 21 in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Ended last season when down the field in a Grade 1 at Aintree. The return to handicaps was expected to suit the 4-year-old.

Travelling well through the race he looked to be going best coming to three out but once coming under pressure he faded coming to the last and eventually finished 4^th of 7 behind the useful winner Elvis Mail. He shaped like he was need of his first run 212-days and will remain on a competitive mark.

Wetherby

Just Don’t Ask – Charlie Longsdon

The 7-year-old had won a good ground C&D novice chase in January before a poor effort at Newcastle on his last start in February. Back for his first run for 252-days he put in a good effort to finish 3^rd of 9 behind comfortable win Kapgarry.

Running well for a long way and was still bang there until headed at the last, only losing second in the final strides. This was only his eighth career start, four over fences, and he remains open to further progress.

A run on such testing ground was likely needed given his long absence and it’s worth noting he’s 3 wins from 4 runs 3 placed when running between 31 to 45-days since his last run. There are more races to be won with the gelding who remains capable of better over fences.

Sunday November 3^rd

Carlisle

Chapel Stile – Nicky Richards

There should a few winners to come out of the novices’ handicap chase won by Two For Gold. One such winner should be Chapel Stile. The 7-year-old was returning from 562-day break here and ran a cracker to finish 3^rd of 10 on his chase debut.

A three-time winner over hurdles on good & soft ground at around 3m, today’s distance would have been on the short side for the gelding for a half-brother to Grand National third Rathvindon and indeed he was doing all this best work at the finish.

Given his long absence from the track there would be a danger that he may ‘bounce’ on his next start. However, there is no denying he starts his chase career on what looks workable mark. He will win his share of races over the winter over further than 2m 4f, if he keeps sound.

Cheers

John

Hi all,

Master of Reality came within a head of giving Joseph O’Brien a second win in the Melbourne Cup unfortunately he was deemed to interfered with the eventual fourth and was demoted to that position after a steward’s inquiry. 

That’s racing but as long as you were with the bookies paying four places or first past the past you landed a nice little each way bet as Master Of Reality was returned at 25/1 for the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Let’s hope for better fortune on what looks a decent card at Exeter with the feature race being the Coral Haldon Gold Cup.

Exeter

2:10 – Coral Haldon Gold Cup (A Limited Handicap Chase) (Grade 2) 2m 1 ½ f

Looking at the trends all the last ten winners of the race had an OR between 147 & 157 and had at least one win on the going. That leaves us with a short list of three: Dolos, Lalor & Charbel.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has won this race three times since 2010 and he saddles Dolos in this year’s renewal. The 6-year-old won at Kempton on his final start of last season off 3lb lower. Granted this is harder but he’s ground versatile, has won on good and soft, and his two best RPR’s have come going right-handed. Has gone well off a lay off and if he’s to take advantage of what looks a tough enough mark, it may well be over today’s extended 2m 1 ½ f trip and on his first start to the season.

Charbel has the back class to win this but he maybe better of further than 2m 2f and didn’t look a winner waiting to happen on his seasonal return at Chepstow last month.

Lalor looks of more interest here. An impressive novice chase winner on his seasonal return last November. He didn’t build on that early promise on three subsequent starts. A reproduction of his win over Dynamite Dollars at Cheltenham would be good enough to win this off his present mark but you must take his well-being on trust.

1pt win – Dolos – 9/2 @ Paddy Power

3:10 – A competitive looking 3m, Class 3, handicap chase for which 13 have been declared to run. For Good Measure won his first race over fences at the ninth attempt with success at Warwick 33-days ago. That win came on good ground and although he’s twice won heavy, he may be better on a sounder surface. Now 7lb higher than at Warwick but still very much in the mix here.

Le Boizelo has run well here in the past and is at his best on rain softened ground. Down the field on his seasonal reappearance here but it’s worth noting he’s 2 wins from 3 runs 3 placed when racing within 15-days of his last start.

Perfect Candidate, a previous C&D winner, shaped like the fire remains in his belly after his 4^th of 9 at Chepstow 25-days ago. Now a 12-year-old, but he’s on a good mark albeit vulnerable to younger legs.

I think 3m on soft ground are the optimum conditions for Holdbacktheriver. The 7-year-old won here over hurdles in April 2018. Just the three starts over fences, winning at Bangor but didn’t build on that promise on two subsequent runs, one over the larger obstacles. Probably on a decent mark but how fit is he for his seasonal return?

Dell’ Arca is on winnable mark but the 10-year-old is hardly the most reliable of horses.  Now doubt will pop in one of theses races probably when least expected.

Verdict: For Good Measure is arguably the most reliable of the 13 runners and shouldn’t be far away. Better can be expected from Le Boizelo on his second start of the season.

1pt win – For Good Measure – 7/1 @ Ladbrokes

Cheers

John

Hi all,

A frustrating Sunday as The Gatechecker bounced back to form to comfortably win the Cork National. As I said in the race verdict:

 “don’t rule out The Gatechecker bouncing back to form”.

He was as big as 28/1 when I sent out yesterday’s e-mail and I would only advised ½pt each way but hopefully some of you took the hint even though I didn’t.

This week’s notebook will be with you over the next couple of days and it contains a few more Gumball’s.

Until then here’s my selection for the Melbourne Cup.

Melbourne Cup 

It’s ‘the race that stops a nation’ in the early hours of Tuesday morning with the latest running of the Melbourne Cup. Rather give a Monday selection from the UK racing here’s my tip for the Cup.

Master Of Reality, trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Frankie Dettori is where my dart has landed in this year’s race. The 4-year-old has been a much-improved horse this season and his length third to Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup is some of the best form on offer in the field. The big field set up should suit and he looks to have the right profile for the likely winner. The rain that fell on the track late last week means that underfoot conditions will also hold no terrors for him and could ensure his stamina comes into play.  You can get 25/1 with Bet365 for the race which looks great each way value.

0.5pts each way – Master Of Reality – 25/1 @Bet365

Cheers

John