Cork 3.37 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 21 run - Good

 

At the top end of the market the likes of Moylussa (up in trip), Beggars Rock (handicap mark), Cobra Queen (quirky and may need the run) and Jolie Jewel (frustrating but plenty promise 3 runs back yet to be fulfilled) all have sufficient question marks to make me look elsewhere.

 

One Big Boom is another in the grip of the handicapper and Well Del is in the Tracker but not really compelling in terms of an investment today.  

 

That left me with 5 of interest, 3 of them with very solid form and strongly fancied and a couple lurking at big odds.

 

MASTER OATIS really does catch my eye upped in trip and although we'll have to take his stamina on trust a Course win staying on strongly at 2 furlongs shorter bodes well as does Danny riding for Thomas Mullins and this one is also off a handicap mark, based on that winning run, that gives it every chance here. THE DIDDLER is another unexposed type at this trip, definite signs, and again some of it at this track, that a win is probable and likely soon and hopefully a top 4 place here at least. UNION PARK has a Course and Distance Hurdles win off a mark of 101, has been Chasing but drops back in Class over Hurdles and today's mark of 109 is sufficiently competitive to make us very interested. 

 

At bigger odds I will personally be having an each way sniff on QUEST WITH SPEED who despite a 195 days absence looks to be on or close to a competitive mark and it has won fresh before off a longer (11 month) break. JODY TED is another not to write off and has also fallen very close to its last winning mark after being clobbered for that win - back to just 1lb above that mark today and just needs to get involved and grab a place to restore enthusiasm. (Sean)

 

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Cork 4.12 -

 

In a very competitive field where you can make claims for all of them the 2024 winner of this race SIR BOB has likely been aimed and targeted for a  repeat and the 13 year old is a sporting each way bet. (Michael)

 

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Chepstow 5.15 -

 

I want to TRACK Iron Heart forwards as he may need this on past seasonal debut evidence but capable of winning races in the summer months. Five Quarters is a big danger and upped in trip here, Fortune Fella is a moderate Paul Nicholls inmate who has yet to deliver compelling form.

 

The likely favourite KEPPEL QUEEN looks to be very strong win value at around 7/2 and I will be disappointed if its not winning this race, for a small each way investment i think the value lies with COAL FIRE who is already in the Tracker, a Hurdle winner off a mark of 88, run in 2 Chases after a lay off but should now be fully fit as a result and very interesting back over Hurdles off a mark of 92 with a 3lbs Claim (Robin)

 

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