📍FAIRYHOUSE
• 12.15 - MOTOWN MAGGIE 2/1 (1pt) : Gordon Elliots filly in the first race of the day has shown solid form in 3 hurdles to date finishing 423. The latest 3rd was by less than a length and arguably would’ve won had she not hit the last flight.
While there are bound to be improvers in the field, Maggie currently has the best form on offer and with cheekpieces going on today.. that’s a sign of intent for me.
The stable and jockey couldn’t be much hotter and I fancy this girl to kick us off nice and early..
📍 HUNTINGDON
• 1.30 - TAKE IT EASY 3/1 (2pt NAP) :
Pam Sly’s runner made it 4 wins from 7 starts in handicaps when getting up in a C3 at Wetherby last month and is in fact 4-4 over a stiff 2m..
(He beat a good horse in Tommy’s Oscar that day even with a sketchy jump at the last) at the time figure recorded in the process was absolute lightning.
With decent claimer Jack Andrews taking off 5lb looks well weighted to go in again and see off another decent field.
• 2.30 - BARTHOLOMEW J 6/1 (1pt x EW) : While it’s hard to dismiss the claims of the fav (Mr Yeats) its also hard to know how much he really had to do in winning last time out and wether he’ll cope with dropping back in trip.. this will be a sterner test and I’m willing to take him on (cautiously) at the prices.
Our selection looks a piece of value having ran well both hurdles starts since returning and his latest staying on 3rd looks good for this step back up to 2m4f.
Off the same mark here and a repeat of that latest effort should see him go close and with extra places on offer, a worthy play imo.
📍 HEREFORD :
• 1.22 - COOLE LION 11/1 (0.5 x EW) : This race looks wide open and it might pay to take a chance on Caroline Bailey’s 7yo.
He ended last season on a high, winning his final 2 starts in 3m handicaps at Southwell and although was pulled up and finished tired on his reappearance, I’m willing to give him the benefit of that run and hope he strips fitter here.
Having been given a 1lb back by the ‘capper he’s now below his last winning mark and being such a lightly raced 7yo there’s reason to believe he can still improve further.
📍NEWCASTLE :
• 6.00 - BRAZEN AKOYA 15/8 (2pts) : Has shown good form and steady progression since entering nursery company with 1 win and 2 places from 3 runs over 5f and the latest effort over course and distance reads well in today’s context.
Tops the speed list for that run and gets a decent draw in stall 8 - I think if Rowan can get a clean break he’ll nip to the front and be tough to catch.
• 7.00 - EPONINA 9/1 (0.5 x EW) :
While at first glance it might seem crazy to back a horse that is 0-24 on the AW, a little further reading sees plenty of respectable efforts among those runs - With landing the plum draw and the horse being arguably in the form of its life, I think it represents a good slice of value.
Erika knows the horse well and has ridden him to 2 wins and a close 2nd in the last 3 runs, she’ll take him to the front and with not much other pace on, may well get an easy time of it.. let’s see if the mare can hold ‘em off!
Caution with this one, it does look a very deep contest
(FYI This looks a great race to take a poke at exotics for those interested in combi-forecast/tricasts.. potential for a big return! - I’d consider rotating the #2, #3, #9 & #14 horses.)
⚠️ Better Odds / Extra Places may be available.
