Hi all,
A much better Saturday than of late which could have been even better as I left Cheveley Park winner Alcohol Free out of yesterday’s selections.
Today’s racing doesn’t have the quality of most of this Summer’s Sundays but there are a handful of competitive looking handicaps.
Nottingham
4:25 – Bernardo O’Reilly bounced back to form when beating 13 rivals at Doncaster two starts back and was an eyecatching 6th of 24 in Ayr’s Silver Cup 8-days ago, doing best of those drawn high. Needs a bit of ease in the ground and a strongly run 6f to be seen at his best. If he gets both he looks handicapped to win again. Roulston Scar having first run since a wind-op and 227-day absence but the 4-year-old returned from 104-day layoff to win in Meydan in January so goes well fresh. Hails from an inform yard and this prominent racer could be well positioned if the race turns out to be slowly run.
2pts win – Bernardo O’Reilly – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Roulston Scar – 15/2 @ Paddy Power
Curragh
2:30 – The lightly raced Breakfast Club is sure to be popular after his recent win at Cork. The 3-year-old was having his first start since switching to present trainer Dennis Hogan and although he’s been hiked up 11lb for his Cork success he looks the sort to improve plenty, if handling today’s slower surface.
A Step To Far has been one of the handicap success stories of the season and bids for the six timer. Well suited to ease in the ground and a strongly run 5f. The first time cheekpieces are applied today, to eke out the bit of improvement needed to defy a 3lb rise in the weights.
1pt each way – A Step To Far – 8/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
5:20 – Sure Cert made a winning handicap debut when successful over 7f at Fairyhouse 6-days ago. Always in a prominent position she found plenty for pressure inside the final furlong. Should stay today’s extra furlong and although up 6lb for her Fairyhouse win she’s going the right way and can win again before the season is out.
1pt win – Sure Cert – 4/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John