In the first at Downpatrick Rasco seems to be getting the hang of things and his third behind Briar Hill last time out was another step forward and reads well in the context of this race. He can go well enough to threaten the odds on favourite with his price of 3.0 very appealing in what is really a two horse race.
Namibian was more than just good on the flat for Mark Johnston winning both the Queens Vase and The Gordon Stakes before a bout of colic set in. J P Ferguson has rattled up 4 winners from his last 7 runners and has a healthy 25% strike rate at Huntingdon and a 27% strike rate in NHF races. He is a dab hand with new comers running well first time up for his stable. He is sure to have had Namibian well shcooled for his hurdling debut and have found him a fairly ordianry event. Trading around 3.95.
We may be going right handed but on his seasonal reappearance its Riverside Theatre to me to begin this campaign in much better order that last. Riverside Theatre at 4.1
I'm not a fan of backing shorties in Novice Hurdles but in the first this afternoon Racing Pulse will be an exception. The 4 year old gelding made a good impression when winning a hunt on his debut at Ballindenisk in May this year for Con O'Keefe and then went on to look even better on his bumper debut for Michael Winters winning by an impressive 14 lengths. His point win came in a 3 mile event so todays 22 furlongs will hold no fears for him and it would be very dissapointing should he not be able to win today. On Betfair 2.08 was available this morning, nothing like that available now though.
They wasted no time at all in putting Balbriggan over the bigger obstacles and for very good reason. Having won his race at Bangor over 21 furlongs he maybe found the step up in trip to 3 miles coming just a little too soon in his next races. A year on and a year stronger and he seems to be improving and with the three miles now within his scope he went on to beat another improving type last time out and did the job gamely. Little Chip is the only other in the race with winning jumps form but has struggled off his higher mark. At a price of 2.82 and seemingly drifting its Balbriggan for me.
This stable did us a favour with Aspirant a couple of days ago and can do so again with the overpriced The Dancing Lord in the seller. Turners horses are in good nick with three of his last ten winning, including one in a selling race. The Dancing Lord ran above himself last time out when winning a handicap over the minimum distance at Wolves just six days ago. This race is no great shakes and with the favourite having been beaten in this grade in the past, its well worth taking a chance that The Dancing Lord will carry his recent improvement over to this longer distance. A nice price is available for both win and place and the current offering on Betfair of 23 and 4.5 the place has been taken.
Pensax Lad has performed with credit when the going has been good/soft and may well transfer his form to the fibresand. He was short of room just after the start last time out at Kempton and may well have won but for that, still appreas on the up to me. Current price of 3.1 looks about right to me.
In the 1.00 at Lingfield Aspirant is chosen to be victorious in this Class 6 Seller. The Turner stable had a winner four days ago and has 2 winners from his last 8, both with today s jockey. Aspirant probably found seven and eight furlongs just a little too far in his last two outings, back in trip today and back down in grade. Available at 4.9 on Betfair, looks about right to me.
In the 3.10 at Warwick Mini Muck looks like a seven year old still on the up. The lightly race mare showed no signs of letting up when winning with a bit in hand last time out in a similar race at Leicester. She will find this tougher carrying a 7lb penalty but having just the six runs to name to date she is very likely to likely to have improvement in her yet. Currently trading at 3.95 having been a fair bit higher early doors.
Just before the off and the 2.58 for Apache Jack looks very good in the context of this poor race. Hope this one gets us back on the winning trail after my first loser yesterday.