Hi all,
As was expected Saturday’s Newbury card failed to pass a morning inspection. Betfair’s Super Saturday’ Newbury card will now be on Sunday February 21st with ITV coverage alongside racing from Market Rasen.
At the time of writing, I’m still waiting to hear news of Warwick’s morning inspection to see if racing can go ahead there tomorrow. If Warwick doesn’t race on Saturday then that meeting has been rescheduled for this Monday which means next week begins on a bit of high.
I have already written Saturday’s preview. Looking at three races from Newbury and one at Warwick but I’m sure the time hasn’t been totally wasted with both meeting set to be held some time in the next nine days.
It’s going to have been a very quiet week on the punting front. Much milder weather is on the way, it’s just a day to late for Saturday’s jumps racing’ However, National Hunt racing should return at Punchestown on Sunday. The feature race of a seven-race card at Punchestown is the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (4:30). There’s also a good card at Exeter on Sunday, although the track is frozen at present, with milder weather heading in then they should also be able to race.
Before that I have two selections from Dundalk’s Friday evening meeting.
Dundalk
5:00 – The booking of capable 7lb apprentice Siobhan Rutledge for Drakensberg is noteworthy and the 7-year-old is handicapped to win a handicap like this when gets a strong pace to chase. Herculaneum put in a career best effort on RPR’s when staying on into 8th of 14 here three weeks ago, He was only beaten 3 ½ lengths that day and shaped like he was worth stepping up to 1m 4f. Pak Army was far to keen over C&D 7-days ago and did well to hold on third. This is a slightly easier assignment for the 6-year-old and if he can settle better must have a decent chance of third course success.
1pt win – Pak Army – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
6:00 – Merchant Of Venice a three time all-weather winner all over a mile when trained in England by James Fanshawe. The 6-year-old has yet to win on his four starts since joining the Ado McGuinness yard but finished runner-up on his first two starts and bounced back from a lack luster run when 4th of 14 over C&D, behind one of today’s rivals Bobby K, three weeks ago. He gets a 5lb pull, for 2 ¼ lengths from that one today which should enable him to get closer. He might need to drop a pound or two to win and stall 11 isn’t great but Colin Keane is back in the saddle and I think he can get the selection into the money.
1pt each way – Merchant Of Venice – 14/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John