Friday 5th April

 

Some top jockeys in here no doubt just topping up race fitness in the wet and the cold ready for the start of our turf Flat season.

 

A competitive field of 16 and some enhanced place money and I'm happy to take on the very consistent Louisiana Bay, the usually consistent Largo Bay; Fullforward, Velvet Vulcan and the frustrating Hurtle here and a host of others who make returns after a winter off, and who almost all have past form that suggests they will need at least this and possibly a couple of runs to get fully race fit. One that intrigues me who is fit is Curtiz for Hughie Morrison but I just left it out of a shortlist of 3 as I feel it's better over 10 furlongs than this half mile.

 

I'm most keen on NIGHT BEAR who looks like a typical Tony Carroll plot job. It's top weight but has the back form to validate that this declining mark is very competitive and I think this Track will suit it a lot more than the long straight at Newcastle, where it has been running and taking a few more pounds off the mark. The booking of Rossa Ryan does nothing but raise my enthusiasm more. CAPRICORN PRINCE has a Course win at 13 furlongs off a mark of 58 last February and has somewhat trodden water since but coming here off a mark of 59 for Gary Moore and the excellent Hector Crouch is another one at a nice price that jumps off the page at me. For some shrapnel, I can't resist a small investment at big odds on QEYAADY who is interesting back on the AW after some Hurdling, the horse has proven stamina and could put that to good use off a likely fast pace and has run well here before both prominently and held up and again, the booking of a very capable jockey in David Egan, catches the eye.

 

 

 

A very quick hat change and race North to see if i can find a pretty unique double on the day!

 

I don't mind taking on the market in a Series Final like this and as admirable as the form of Curley Finger and Champ Royal, who are both on 4 timers here is, you'd have to think there is a plot horse lurking somewhere for a nice prize. Jem In Em and Not Staying Long are also near the head of the market and clearly dangerous.

 

I think that both Sanosuke and Rumble B NR (who might be worth a £1 e/w side bet) will outrun odds and I have long thought that backing a horse who is carrying a low weight but out of the handicap and therefore carrying more than it should, is preferable, to backing one who is penalised with more weight and therefore lumbered with lead in the saddle. 

 

With that in mind i think that both CALL ME HARRY a Course and Distance winner off 109 who runs off 11 and who can definitely go closer if jumping better than last time here and  LINCOLN BURROWS who is 4lb out of the weights but for whom the booking of Gavin Sheehan caught my eye, can both run big races.