Hi all,
A disappointing day for Wednesday’s selections, after a good recent run. It’s the final day of the Craven Meeting and the second day’s racing at Cheltenham. The mares take centre stage at the latter track. Whilst at Newmarket the feature race is the Group 3 Craven Stakes (3:35) over the Guineas distance.
So, plenty of racing to enjoy but I can’t find many solid betting opportunities. I’m not too concerned though, as there are going to be plenty more between now and Sunday.
Newmarket
1:50 – Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Nine are set to go to post for this 3-year-old only sprint handicap.
Cairn Island won a Ayr novice on his third juvenile start and improved further to follow up on his nursery debut at York on his next start. However, he ran below market expectations when only 7th of 15 in a valuable Sales Race at Doncaster in September. First run since a gelding operation. The return to handicap company should suit and the Kevin Ryan stable is among the winners.
Jumby showed plenty of speed when winning a 7f minor event at Ascot on his racecourse debut and wasn’t disgraced on either start after. First start at 6f for the colt but he doesn’t lack pace and I think the drop back to sprinting can suit him.
1pt win – Jumby – 9/2 @ Bet365
3:35 – bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3) – 1m
Ten colts have been declared for an open looking Guineas Trial. Charlie Appleby has two in Master Of The Seas & La Barrosa. The former had the better juvenile form of the pair but arguably La Barrosa has more scope of the pair to improve as 3-year-old.
Aidan O’Brien brings over two in Khartoum, the choice of Ryan Moore and Sandhurst ridden by Frankie Dettori. Both should improve this year and it will be interesting to see where the pair are in the Ballydoyle pecking order.
Devilwala, trained by Ralph Beckett, is top rated on RPR’s. He lost any chance he had at the start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on his final start. Prior to that, the colt had put in a career best effort when 4th of 14 in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes.
Akmaam impressed when making all to win on his racecourse debut at Ascot. He wasn’t disgraced when a 4½ lengths 5th of 10 to One Ruler in Group 3 Autumn Stakes here next time. Looks the sort to improve as a 3-year-old and has each way claims if he has.
1pt each way – Akmaam – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
4:45 – Bet Builder At bet365 Handicap (Class 4) – 1m
An intriguing 3-year-old’s only handicap with a few who could prove to be ahead of their marks. Balearic has the benefit of race fitness. He improved for the fitting of the first-time blinkers when winning on his handicap debut at Newcastle, finding plenty for pressure. 20-days ago. Up 8lb but capable of more improvement for the step up to a mile.
Spirit Of Bermuda will appreciate the return to a sound surface for her handicap debut and given the form of her stable has to be respected.
Rogue Force has improved on all three of his starts, all on the all-weather, and if he can transfer that form to turf has to be on the shortlist on his handicap debut.
Without Revenge is another making his handicap debut. He ended last season winning a Lingfield novice back and looks capable of more progress if he’s as effective on the grass.
Crossford made all to win at Newcastle on his third career start last October. Needs to improve again to defy his opening handicap mark but the step up to a mile could bring out more progress in the colt. Ryan Moore booked and trainer Charlie Hills is 4-11 with his runners in the past 14-days.
Bullace made it 2-2 on the all-weather when winning a Kempton novice under a penalty on his final juvenile start in November. The colt ran with plenty of promise when 2nd 7 t Sandown on turf on his racecourse debut. Trainer Ralph Beckett saddled the winner of the race in 2018 with a handicap debutant like Bullace.
1pt win – Bullace – 9/1 @ Bet365
Cheltenham
The fact that today’s card is for the mares means I won’t be going in heavily on the punting front. In fact, there’s only that I like at a decent price.
2:45 – Citipost Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race) – 2m 4 ½ f
I’m happy to take an each-way chance with Irish Roe here. The 10-year-old mare has only won once since December 2017. That win came in Class 2 handicap hurdle at Aintree (good) in May 2019, off 4lb higher. She’s well treated on her best form and its not hard to imagine her going well on ground that will suit.
1pt each way – Irish Roe – 12/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John