Hi all,
Walk In The Mill’s win the Becher Chase at Aintree enabled another winning day for the service. Can we keep up the winning going for the final day of the weekend?
There’s Grade 1 action at Punchestown with the John Durkan Chase the highlight of a seven-race card.
This side of the Irish Sea the feature race on the Huntingdon card is the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase. I mentioned in my ante post email I thought the race might cut up and so it has with just six set to go to post. My ante post selection Top Notch (advised 4/1) is among the six and is now a best priced 2/1. At Kelso it’s the 4m Scottish Borders National that’s the most competitive looking race of a seven-race card at the Scottish track.
Punchestown
Min won last year’s John Durkan Chase on his seasonal return and is odds on to do so again in 2019. He faces 8 rivals on this occasion and the one who could give him most do is stablemate Real Steel. The 6-year-old is a chaser on the upgrade and put in a career best in winning a Grade 2 at Down Royal on his reappearance last month.
There are two interesting handicaps on the Punchestown card which look more interesting to me.
1:20 – Artic Pearl won this handicap hurdle 12 months ago off 7lb lower. Just the two runs over fences since and a return to hurdles looks a positive move for the 8-year-old. The first time cheekpieces have been applied and Davy Russell takes the ride which are other positives for a big run today.
1pt win – Artic Pearl – 11/2 @ William Hill
2:50 – A 3m 1 ½ f handicap chase. Two take my eye here: Roxboro Road & Deputy’s Pass. The first named was close-up when slipping on the bend here 21-days ago. If none the worse for that mishap looks set for a big run here. Deputy’s Pass was still in contention in the same race when unseating his rider three out and is another contender.
1pt win – Roxboro Road – 5/1 @ William Hill & Paddy Power
Kelso
1:15 – The Scottish Borders National over a 4m ½ f will take plenty of getting on the anticipated soft ground. Fifteen are set to go to post and as you would expect you can give most of the field some sort of chance.
Big River is the class act of the race and he races off 3lb lower than when 4th of 24 in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. He confirmed he was a dour stayer when a running 5th 0f 23 in the Scottish Grand National on his final start of last season. Never travelling and was eventually pulled up on is return to action last month. Can race lazily and get behind in his races which he can’t afford to do here. Connections opt for the first time cheekpieces and if the headgear does the trick the 9-year-old is more than capable of winning this off his present mark.
Total Assets was 4th in this race 12 months ago. The 11-year-old tends to reserve her best for Kelso and her record at the course is 4 wins from 12 runs +27 7 placed. Now 4lb lower than last year the mare. Ran well enough when 3rd of 10 over 4m at Hexham 18-days ago to think she comes into today’s race in decent form. This will be the mares fourth start of the campaign and her record on her 4th + start of the season is 7 wins from 20 runs 35% +47.5 11 placed 55% compared to 0 wins from 29 runs -29 7 placed 24%. Vulnerable in this class of race but looks to be hitting peak form and given her course record looks decent enough each-way value.
0.5pts each way – Total Assets – 16/1 @ Ladbrokes (paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
2:15 – Eight runners are set to go post for this Class Veterans chase handicap over 2m 6 ½ f. Claud And Goldie only began his career under rules in September 2018, but he made up for lost time putting in steadily improving performances last season. A winner here over furlong further in March he improved further when a 2 ½ length, 3rd of 8 behind Some Chaos here on his next start and ended last season with another third placed effort at Ayr. Fitness must be taken on trust and he won’t get his own way out in front but if he’s ready to roll looks set for a big run.
1pt win – Claud And Goldie – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John