Leopardstown 2.48 - Handicap - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Firm

 

A fair few of these are unexposed and probable improvers and many may need the run. It's a good competitive heat though and hopefully we can find another winner. 

 

SACRED OATH is the favourite and 5-6/1 would be win or e/w banker material. It's fit from the AW, including a win off a mark of 74, runs off a mark of 77 and gets a possible plum draw in Stall 1. It would certainly be disappointing if it didn't finish in the first 3-4 home and should be treated as a side bet e/w banker accordingly.

 

Migdam doesn't entice me in comparison despite being second favourite, Ard Na Mara whose first run was only in August last year but who won on one of it's 5 appearances may just need this run and Stall 18 won't help. Pepper Noir who has wins off 69 and 75 on the AW is raised to a mark of 82, drawn in Stall 2 and will be a big danger but that mark might be just a bit too high. Dutch Gold at around 18/1 caught my eye too, a Distance winner off a mark of 81, dual purpose horse but the Going may just be a bit too quick for him.

 

My two top rated, aside from SACRED OATH are EXPOUND who is in good form from the AW and brings that level of fitness and sharpness herea nice mark and the trip is in range and SOLAR BREEZE a more speculative punt but also AW fit and whose best turf run as a runner up and Curragh at this trip off a mark of 75 on Good ground makes a draw in Stall 4 off a mark of 77 looking a real opportunity here! (MG)

 

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Catterick 4.13 - Handicap - Class 6 - 7 furlongs - 14 run - Good to Firm

 

I really found it hard to split 5-6 in here and don't want to go too short in price. One I want to identify for a small e/w side bet at 25/1 or better though is TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG who was a surprise 40/1 winner over Course and Distance last August making all. Its fit from the AW not overburdened with weight and it would not be a complete surprise to see a similar run with some AW fitness in the bank.

 

At the top end of the market i found it very very hard to split COCONUT BAY and Doomsday who reoppose after a close run race last time where they finished first and second, a 5lbs pull for COCONUT BAY swings it though for me and I think their fitness will beat the favourite Beltane.

 

Similarly at slightly better Odds I found it very hard to split AMERICAN STAR , Saisons D'or and Langholm. Langholm is usually best fresh and early and not lightly dismissed, Sainson D'Or is consistent and runs well here but a high draw is a niggle so AMERICAN STAR, a Chester winner last June, so adept round tight tracks and drawn 6 gets the nod for an investment. Miss Willow and Ribble Radiant are both horses who could be winning soon but both make their season debut and logically should improve for it. (Northern)