Hi all,
Boardman maintained his recent improvement with another win this time at Chester. He got me back among the winners and small profit on the day. Three interesting handicaps over both codes today.
Uttoxeter
3:57 – Clarke Chase (A Handicap Chase) (For the Sir Stanley and Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy) (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 2m 4f
This is a decent handicap chase for a summer Sunday with 18 declared to meet the starter.
Pistol Whipped has made the running to beat small fields on his last two starts. Good ground is very much a positive but he’s up 6lb but this is better race and he won’t find it easy to dominate a big field like this
Captain Tommy won on here on his stable debut for David Bridgewater. That success came over 3m so the drop back in trip may not be ideal. No issues with good ground though and a 5lb rise in the weights isn’t harsh. A strong pace will bring his stamina into play and he shouldn’t be far away.
Fidux shaped with promise when a 2-length 3rd of9 at Newton Abbot 25-days ago. That was the 8-year-old’s first start for 5 months and he was unlucky not to finish closer after getting hampered two out. Five of his 7 career wins have come on good ground so gets his ideal underfoot conditions and should get the race run to suit.
Verdict: Pistol Whipped will face competition for the lead but he’s progressive and with the yard in such good form is high on the shortlist. Captain Tommy is another going the right way and remains on a competitive after his last win here over further.
1pt win – Captain Tommy – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Pistol Whipped – 6/1 @ Bet365
Navan
4:05 – Royal County Premier Handicap – 1m 2f
Aidan O’Brien has a strong hand with likely favourite Baton Rouge & Iowa. Baton Rouge a winner at Dundalk on his first start as a 3-year-old. He improved further for the step up to 1m 2f when a 1 ¾ length 2nd of 7 at Naas last time. Up 2lb for that effort and has top-weight of 9-10 to overcome. First time cheekpieces are applied today for his handicap debut and he looks capable of better.
Iowa remains a maiden after seven starts but shaped well enough when a 1 ½ length 4th of 14 at Leopardstown three weeks ago. Up 2lb but on what looks a competitive mark.
Snowy Owl finished runner-up in the race. He seemed to stay 1m 4f well enough that day but may struggle to confirm form with Iowa here.
Earl of Tyrone was sent off the 9/2 favourite in the Leopardstown race that Iowa finished 4th in. He ran below market expectations in finishing 7th but connections opt for the first-time blinkers and better run can be expected, if the headgear has the desired effect.
Bear Story a winner on his final juvenile start at Dundalk back in December, showed he had trained on from two to three when a 3 ¾ length 2nd of 13 to Sir Lamorak at Leopardstown (good) 49-days ago. Open to further improvement and if he handles today’s softer ground can go close.
Verdict: Baton Rouge looks capable of more improvement but then so do several others including Bear Story. However, at the prices I’m just siding with Earl Of Tyrone.
1pt win – Earl Of Tyrone – 6/1 @ Bet365
Punchestown
2:05 – Ladbrokes Handicap Chase – 2m 4f
Somptueux returned from a 185-day break to win a 2m 5f novice chase at Fairyhouse last month. Up 5lb for his handicap debut but maybe capable of better. Best form over fences has come so far with good in the going description so drying ground may serve him better.
Optical Confusion unseated his rider at 6th at Ballinrobe 5-days ago. Prior to that the 9-year-old had been in the form of his career winning at Fairyhouse & Ballinrobe. Quick turnaround but if none the worse for last week’s mishap should go well.
Dame Du Compagnie, a very useful hurdler at her best, has just had two starts over fences, remains with potential over fences on her handicap debut and is an interesting runner for Nicky Henderson. Ran poorly in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival so must prove her well being on her handicap chase debut.
Pont Aven doesn’t find much at the finish but needs to be respected on his 2nd of 24 over C&D at the festival last time. Up 4lb for that effort and shouldn’t be far away again.
Jerandme wins more than his fair share of races and is 2-4 over fences. Looked to be travelling as well as anything coming to two out in a handicap chase over extended 3m here at the festival. The drop back in trip should suit and if the ground continues to dry out his chance is improved.
Verdict: Drying ground would see the consistent Jerandme go close. Preference though for Pont Aven and Optical Confusion.
1pt win – Optical Confusion – 8/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Pont Aven – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John