Hi all,
In doing a preview of Wednesday’s action for the Daily Punt. I rather unexpectedly I found a few fancies on Wednesday. So, to kick start the month I’m taking a bit of a swing at the few today in what looks more like Saturday punting wise.
Don’t get me wrong, this evening’s Curragh meeting aside it’s not the highest quality wise but competitive enough and I have a fair few of interest and not just at the Curragh.
Today’s selections and betting advice can be found at the end of today’s preview.
Curragh
It’s not often that you have two midweek Irish Premier Handicaps, but we do today.
6:30 – Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day (Premier Handicap) – 5f
Not Too Real Bad came from the rear to get up close home at Cork 21 days ago. Looked in need of more of stamina test last time and has a 6lb rise in the weights to contend with. However, she’s going the right way and should give her running once more.
Amazon Lady was ¾ length fourth in that Cork race on her handicap debut and looks on a workable mark.
Cash Or Crypto was a good 2nd of 10 at Naas two starts back. Slowly away and on the wrong side of the track at Tipperary last time. Could easily bounce back here with Declan McDonagh booked.
7:00 – Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m 6f
The most valuable race of the day with €50,000 in guaranteed prize money and the winner also gets an automatic entry in the Ebor Handicap.
White Caviar ended last season in good form winning at Listowel and Gowran Park. Returned from a 197 day absence with a solid 7 length 3rd of 11 in a Gowran Listed contest last month. Capable of better and one of the leading contenders. Hell Bent was back from a 12 month absence when a promising 1 ¾ length 3rd of 10 to Burren Song19 days ago. The first time cheekpieces are applied and the 5-year-old shouldn’t be far away from the same mark.
Burren Song got the run of the race that day when completing a hat trick of handicap successes but a 5lb rise in the weights means he may not be capable to confirm that form with Hell Bent.
Vultan was 5 ½ lengths behind Burren Song in ninth that day but he didn’t get the clearest of passages coming to the final furlong and the final 110yds. A better run race could see the 6-year-old getting into the places.
8:00 – Gegenpressing ran well from a poor draw when a 3 ¾ length 4th of 14 at Naas last month. The 5-year-old can race off the same mark and is capable of a big run but maybe better over 7f. Lady Arwen was back to her best when a ½ length 3rd of 25 at Cork (7f) 21 days ago. Up 2lb for that effort but I’m not sure about the drop back to 6f on her first start for a new yard. Despite slight reservations about the trip, she shouldn’t be far away.
Newbury
5:55 – Raintown ended last year in progressive form completing a hat trick at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve. The 3-year-old ran much better than his Goodwood turf debut when a 3 ¼ length 10th of 14 in the London Gold Cup over C&D 18 days ago. He was 3lb out of the weights that day and also didn’t best of runs 3f out. Down in class here and capable of a big run.
Nottingham
4:00 – Funny Story was a 2 ¾ length 4th of 11 on handicap debut (6f) at Newmarket 18 days ago. That was the filly’s first run for eight months and is capable of better. On a workable mark and should go close in this sprint handicap.
4:35 – Alpine Stroll hasn’t been at his best on his last two starts but hiscourse from figures are 21134 and his last success came over C&D last August from 1lb higher. The 5-year-old goes well on quick ground and a book run is expected with Andrea Atzeni booked.
5:10 – August has improved with each of his three career starts. Didn’t seem to handle the Dip at Newmarket when a 4 ¾ length 4th of 10 19 days ago. Today’s flatter track should suit the 3-year-old and he looks on a competitive mark for his handicap debut.
5:45 – The New Marwan finished a ½ length 2nd of 8 at Redcar 9 days ago. Off the same mark here and should go close if in the same form. Alhabor was ½ length and two places behind in that Redcar race but that was a much better effort from the 4-year-old who looks on a good mark if building n that effort.
Kempton
7:20 – Looks the most competitive race on Kempton’s eight race card. Course & distance winner New Endeavour was back from an 8 month layoff with a good2 length 5th of 14 at York three weeks ago. He should strip fitter today and is expected to go well from a handy low draw.
7:50 – Prepense a Newmarket (7f) maiden winner on her seasonal return in April. The daughter of Kingman looks a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver who should be suited by the step up to a mile. Drawn out widest of all in 11 but should go close. Chelmsford winner Tamarama has to be respected back on the synthetic surface and with Frankie Dettori coming to Kempton this evening for the ride. If Frankie does indeed to take the ride that could be a tip in itself.
8:25 – Tashi was a promising 2 ½ length 3rd of 10 to Sir Rumi in April on her first start since switching from Ireland. Same mark here and should be thereabouts if building on her Epsom effort on her all-weather debut.
9:00 – Course winner Kalamity Kitty was in good form when last seen in action last spring. The mare proved her stamina for 2m when winning at Nottingham last May, from 5lb lower. Returns from a 386 day layoff so her fitness must be taken on trust, but she did win off a 215 day break last March so there are grounds for optimism that she will be fit enough to do herself justice. The 5-year-old starts her campaign off 5lb higher but is unexposed over the trip and hails from a yard among the winners.
Ripon
7:40 – Twelfth Knight a winner at Redcar on his seasonal return in April. He bounced back from a poor run at Wetherby when winning over C&D 26 days ago. Up 3lb and in a better race. However, the 4-year-old is in a good vein of form and should give another good account of himself.
Betting Advice:
Newbury
5:55 – Raintown – 1pt win – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Nottingham
4:35 – Alpine Stroll – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
5:45 – Alhabor – 1pt win – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Kempton
8:25 – Tashi – 1pt win – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
9:00 – Kalamity Kitty – 1pt win – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Ripon
7:40 – Twelfth Knight – 1pt win – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Curragh
7:00 – Vultan – 0.5pts each way – 28/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Cheers
John