2.00 Novice Handicap Chase - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 20 run - Good to Soft (New Course)

 

Our top rated here are MOON D'ORANGE who has good Course and Course and Distance form, looks a very safe and solid jumper and whilst there may be faster and more progressive types in here, you have to jump round and not make jumping errors. ANSWER TO KAYF looks primed for this and it certainly looks a very solid each way punt. ASIAN MASTER is the third rated and another from Ireland, upped in trip by Willie Mullins but the real form clue is at the bottom of the form analysis, a 3 mile P2P win as a youngster. I think they've waited until now to expose that stamina! Finally the 4th Irish horse is DEE CAPO who is an interesting big price Elliott runner with significant untapped potential. Mark this one down for future years if not today (Michael). The best rated UK based horses from RJ would both be ones at decent e/w prices and are Ryans Rocket for Fergal O'Brien and Insurrection for Paul Nicholls they were 6th and 7th rated behind a 5th Irish horse Shanbally Kid for Willie Mullins

 

2.40 Pertemps Final - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles 24 run - Good to Soft

 

The top 4 here are D ART D ART who may be the each way nap of the day and who looks very well priced at anything over 6/1. WILL THE WISE is in cracking form for Gavin Cromwell and still looks to have scope, MAXI MAC GOLD at a silly big price is an absolute expert at these tough rough and tumble big field handicaps for the canny paul Nolan yard. LUCKY LYREEN is a very similar type for Gordon Elliott and once again our combined top 4 rated very much favoured the Irish (Sean)

 

This looks tough for the home contingent and I concur 100% with Sean on the top 4, I think CATCH HIM DERRI for the Skelton yard, HENRI THE SECOND for Paul Nicholls and JERIKO DE RAPONET for Henderson are the best of the UK hopes but clearly 5th - 6th - 7th bet rated by us, followed by Shanagh Bob (Robin)

 

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4.40 - Plate Handicap Chase - 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 20 run - Good to Soft

 

The top 4 rated here are PATH D'OROUX a 3 mile P2P winner finally upped in trip by Gavin Cromwell and one who has a degree of untapped potential as a result. THECOMPANYSERGEANT from the same Yard has done nothing wrong and gives the stable a very strong chance. My only niggle is whether Mullins / Elliott and De Bromhead are a bit better equipped still at keeping horses back for the big day but Cromwell have made great strides recently. 

 

GEMINRANDE would be the best of the home hopes and a winner for Venetia Williams is always a crowd pleaser here and SHAKEMUP'ARRY for Ben Pauling seeks to defend his crown. 

 

Just outside of the top 4 are Riann a lively outsider for Elliott and La Malmason another for Cromwell (Michael + The Advisor)

 

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5.20 Kim Muir Amateur Jockey Handicap Chase 3 miles 2 furlongs - 

 

This race deserves a bigger slot and billing we all think

 

Top 4 rated here are WALKING ON AIR who would be a WIN saver bet. MINT BOY for you guessed Gavin Cromwell looks a very strong each way proposition and DAILY PRESENT for Paul Nolan can make a run round here as a young horse pay with a prominent run this time around. GIT MAKER was runner up last year and looks primed and prepared for the day and would be the highest rated home runner (Michael and RJ)

 

The next best rated would be Cleatus Poolaw an unexposed type for Elliott and MANOFTHEPEOPLE trained by Fergal O'Brien who should give Gina Andrews a lovely spin and well worth a small e/w poke.

 

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ANTE POSTS

 

3.20 - DJELO

4.00 - BOB OLINGER

 

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Placepot

 

1.20 - 21 Sixandahalf  / 12 Karoline Banbou

2.00 - 16 Moon DOrange / 5 Answer To Kayf

2.40 - 7 D Art D Art / 13 Will The Wise

3.20 - 3 Fact To File / 1 Djelo

4.00 - 8 Langer Dan / 1 Bob Olinger

4.40 - 5 Path D'Oroux / 14 Thecompanysargeant

 

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Tim for a lie down in a dark room....tomorrow will be a relative doddle!

 

Good Luck today