By his own admission the stable hasn't been firing on all cylinders of late but Dazzling won a listed race in nice style on her seasonal reappearance and the Oaks 4th favourite will relish the conditions again at Naas this evening. Aiden O'Brien said she needed the race that day so we can expect that there is more to come from her today. My only doubt is the jockey. Although Colm O'Donoghue has ridden and won some big races over the years and has won 83 races for the stable off an 11% strike rate in total, his more recent performances see him with an overall strike rate of just 6% and no winners for O'Brien since 2012. But in AO'B we trust and a straight win bet on Dazzling is the order of the day, currently at 3.35 on Betfair.
A point winner who has improved in his last two races when switched to handicaps is the Brian Barr trained Bostin. Having finished second on his handicap debut he improved again and was 5 lengths clear when falling at the last at this course last time out. If anything this looks an easier race and compensation surely awaits. The stable has had three winers from its last eight runners and Crosse has been on all three. Straight win bet Bostin 3.40 Wincanton at 3.6.
Just one win from 25 races under rules hardly inspires confidence but Tenby Jewel is one of the few horses in this that is in any sort of form in the context of this race and with AP back on board (won on him only previous time he rode him) I'm taking the betfair price of 4.1 for a straight win bet.
Cappielow Park is a horse that has slowly found his feet over timber and the way he won a similar race last time out suggests that there is probably still some more improvement to come from the 5 year old. Connor Shoemarks 5lb claim helps to negate some of the penalty for that success and with this race appearing no more difficult than his last assignment a big run can be expected. Straight win bet Cappielow Park in the 3.30 with a Betfair price of 4.1 looking very fair to me.
Patrolman has been running consistently well on the all weather at Dundalk before running second to Carpet Elegance in a Down Royal Hurdle race. There is no great strength in depth to this race and with the selection along with Shanroe Society being the only horses in the race with a win to their name. Straight win bet on Patrolman at 4.9.
Eric Alston has already had a winner today and I fancy that we can try a back to lay on his runner in the 5.00 at Chester, that horse being King Of Paradise. All four of his wins to date have come at Hamilton Park but more importantly the gelding seems to need two or three races to get into his stride. He will certainly find this easier than the Class 2 he contested last time. He likes to be be up there at the front end and from the 2 berth will have every opportunity to do so. Backed at 12 and will lay off at 6 for a free bet.
Tom Dascombes Destineys Kitten ran very green on her debut at Haydock last September but was getting the hang of things late on and ran on to finish third. The extra furlong today may be right up her street and with no outstanding form on offer in this race her price on Betfair of 7.4 looks good value to me. Straight win bet Destinys Kitten at 8.4
Vivas Verglas was given an easy time of it on his seasonal debut at Hamilton five days ago and will strip a lot fitter today. A winner four times from seven attempts at this distance including when rattling up a hat trick of wins at Musselburgh and York. With speed to burn and a stall 1 berth being ideal I think that the 7.2 and 3.4 a place is very fair indeed. Vivas Verglas win and place at 7.2 and 3.4.
Brown Panther won his first two starts last year winning a listed race and a Group 2 and can go in here this afternoon. The 3.05 on Betfair looks very fair to me. Brown Panther straight win at 3.05.
The 10 furlong start does give those in the outside berth a chance to get to the front and should that be the case then Noble Mission will go very well again and will be able to confirm recent placings with Telescope and take this. Noble Mission to win at 3.6.