Pete's Paddock Picks
The service has shown promise in its first few days of testing with 5 wins from 6 selections and has been around since 2022. Brilliantly titled Petes Paddock Picks:
December 2024 ended: +£44.78
Year 2024 finished: +£364.90
Year 2023 finished: +£469.27
Results to £1 stakes
1:50 pm Uttoxeter – Wellington Arch
Wellington Arch looks primed to give the Jonjo O'Neill team a much-needed boost after a difficult Cheltenham Festival. Springwell Bay’s fatal fall
and Johnnywho’s defeat in the Kim Muir have left the yard needing a pick-me-up, and Wellington Arch fits the bill.
He’s led in his last three starts, showing signs that he’s ready for a step up in trip. His win at Market Rasen last time was impressive, hitting the line strongly. That effort came after finishing a close second to Fingle Bridge at the same track off level weights — Fingle Bridge is now rated 136, suggesting Wellington Arch is fairly
treated off 120.
The switch to left-handed tracks isn’t a major concern since he won a bumper at Worcester. His jumping needs sharpening up, but the step up in distance should play to his strengths.
Hidden History is a threat after moving to Dan Skelton, but Wellington Arch’s strong finishing style makes him a solid pick.
Selection:
- Wellington Arch – 7/2 with
Bet365
2:45 pm Kempton – West Balboa & Aston Martini
West Balboa looks overpriced in this 2m4f handicap hurdle. Dan Skelton’s mare ran well on ground softer than ideal at Warwick last time in a listed mares’ hurdle. She’s now dropped a couple of pounds, and the return to better ground is a plus.
She finished sixth in this race last year, beaten less than five
lengths off a 6 lb higher mark — and that’s before factoring in Heidi Palin’s 7 lb claim. She’s now 17 lbs better off with Irish Hill (who finished ahead of her last year), which makes the 16/1 on offer look generous.
Aston Martini has strong form on good ground (1-1-2) and improved when second to Altobelli at Ascot last time. Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, she looks well-handicapped and will likely improve further. Nicky
Henderson’s yard could use a boost after the disappointments of Constitution Hill and Jonbon at Cheltenham.
Selections:
- West Balboa – 16/1 with Paddy Power (Each-Way)
- Aston Martini – 5/1 with Bet365 (Each-Way)
3:35 pm Uttoxeter – Walk On Quest
Walk On Quest has been a revelation since switching to
fences, winning his last four starts at trips between 2m and 2m5f. He now steps up in trip, which could unlock further improvement.
Lucinda Russell’s stable is flying, and Walk On Quest showed his stamina at Kelso last time when staying on strongly to beat Leader In The Park, who faded late. He’s been raised 24 lbs for his winning streak but is only up 4 lbs from his last win — which seems lenient.
Isaac Des
Obeaux has been held back by poor placement and unsuitable ground. He’s fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, and Paul Nicholls holds him in high regard. He’s the main danger if the ground stays dry.
The Skelton-trained Deafening Silence heads the market but looks short enough. Latenightrumble at 13/2 also looks well-handicapped but is more exposed.
Selection:
- Walk On Quest – 9/2 with Paddy Power
3:57 pm Kempton – Kingston Pride
Kingston Pride gets the nod in a small field novice hurdle. He impressed when winning at Uttoxeter on good ground in November but was pulled up in the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown when sent off as the beaten market leader.
That poor run came on soft ground, which doesn’t suit him. Back on better ground here, he should bounce back. Nicky Henderson’s team has had an up-and-down week, but this looks a straightforward task if Quebecois is short of his best.
If Quebecois is sent off at odds-on, Kingston Pride becomes a strong play at close to even money.
Selection:
- Kingston Pride – 4/5 with Bet365
4:32 pm Kempton – The Doyen Chief (Nap)
The Doyen Chief was heavily backed last time at Taunton but was just touched off by Jupiter Allen, who ran well in the NH Chase at Cheltenham earlier this week.
He’s been raised 3 lbs for that effort but was 13 lengths clear of the third-placed horse, so the rise is justified. He looks well-handicapped, especially with his
preference for right-handed tracks and good ground.
Slipway won this race last year and remains well-handicapped, but giving 5 lbs to The Doyen Chief could be tough. Alan King’s stable is in excellent form, and The Doyen Chief is still progressing over fences.
Selection:
- The Doyen Chief (Nap) – 9/4 with Bet365
