Hi all,
I wasn’t going to put up any selections today, but I kept out of the sun yesterday and found myself looking at some of the races at Ayr and Ballinrobe and I have found four that I fancy.
Ayr
4:10 – Quest For Fun bids for the hat trick after wins at Thirsk and C&D last time. The 4-year-old is up 4lb but he’s going the right way and the forecast strong pace is very much in his favour. Aberama Gold racing the first-time visor failed by a head to end a long losing run. He quickened it up out in front between the final two furlongs and it looked a race winning move. However, he was caught in the shadow of the post by Quest For Fun.
Call Me Ginger was a further length behind that day, and he does get a 4lb pull in the weights. That entitles him to get closer, but he doesn’t have the scope of Quest For Fun who looks a worthy market leader.
Summer Sands is another who has tumbled down the weights. Returning from a 72-day break it was a much better effort from the 5-year-old to finish just over 2 lengths behind in fourth. He might need more ease in the ground to take advantage of what’s become a good mark.
A bigger threat to the favourite is likely to emerge from the Tim Easterby trained Snash. The drop back to 6f and the fitting of the first time cheekpieces saw the 4-year-old in a much better light when successful at Thirsk two starts back. Back over further at York last time didn’t suit and a return to 6f should produce a better performance.
4:45 – Diamondonthehill went close here over mile on his seasonal reappearance in April and bounced back from a couple of poor efforts when neck 2nd of 15 at Thirsk 19-days ago. Looked like he would go on to win when leading 1f out but was run out of it close home. Likely needs to be produced as late as possible if he’s to add to his sole career win.
Brazen Bolt went close in to 7f handicaps at Doncaster & Newmarket. Ran better than his 6th length 11th of 20 at York (6f) 9-days ago suggests. He was drawn high which was on the wrong side of the track although he did beat the smaller group who raced near side. Return to 7f should suit and he’s got a favourites chance.
Global Humor isn’t the most reliable, but he did put in personal best for the season when a 2 lengths 6th of 12 here over 6f last week. Twice a winner here, 2-5, 4 places over C&D and he’s also 3-6 when racing within 7-days of his last start. Plenty to think he could be about hit winning form as he’s below last winning mark and the cheekpieces return for the first time this season.
Ballinrobe
7:05 – Takeachancejimmy won this corresponding race last year and he’s 1lb lower this time around. Hasn’t been in any form on the flat or over hurdles on two starts since returning from a 228-day break. Jamie Powell takes off a handy 7lb and I fancy the 8-year-old is primed for a big run.
8:05 – Willie Mullins & Colin Keane combined to win this race in 2019 and they have the likely short- priced favourite in Youmdor. The 5-year-old won a handicap on his final start when trained in France and was a winner on his stable hurdle debut for the Mullins yard in November 2020. First start for 489-days so its hard to say how much ability he retains after his long layoff. He could be well in but at the prices I prefer the claims of Only Sky who won this race 12 months ago from 1lb lower and won over hurdles at Cork in the spring. Her trainer Jessica Harrington has her horses in great form and is bidding for a hat trick of wins in this 1m 4 ½ f handicap. The cheekpieces the filly wore for the first time when successful last year are back on for the first time since October.
Betting Advice:
Ayr
4:10 – 1pt win – Snash – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:45 – 1pt win – Global Humor – 8/1 @ Bet365
Ballinrobe
7:05 – 1pt win – Takeachancejimmy – 11/2 @ Bet365
8:05 – 1pt win – Only Sky – 7/1 @ Bet365
There definitely won’t be any selections on Tuesday but I may have some for Wednesday.
Cheers
John