This guy is usually very good ....
Race 1:
Aldopicgros (FR) makes his British debut for Paul Nichols on the back of winning a 9 runner bumper in France. Duroble Man was quite useful on the flat but finished behind Town Mouse on hurdles debut. He travelled strongly last time and he should reverse the form with Town Mouse on this tighter, faster track. Exclusive Waters (IRE) has been in decent form on the flat and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the betting. Assembly was a useful sprinter on the flat for William Haggas. He has plenty going for him if he has the stamina for Hurdling. Not a race we could get involved in betting wise. Our token selection is Aldopicgros at 2/1
Race 2:
Dodging Bullets is a high class performer that is a potential smart chaser in the making. He was the best of these over hurdles and he is sure to be a short price to win this on his chasing debut. Turn Over Sivola (FR) progressed nicely last season winning twice over hurdles at Plumpton. He was well beaten when last seen in May at Haydock over hurdles but he is a potential rival to Dodging Bullets on Chase debut if that rival doesn’t take to chasing. Grabtheglory (IRE) hasn’t been seen since February last year but he looked the type to make a chaser it will be interesting to see how he fares in the betting on his return from a lengthy absence. Providing he takes to chasing it is hard to see past the claims of Dodging Bullets
Race 3:
Sea Lord (IRE) was a very useful flat performer and exactly the type that John Ferguson excels with. He has taken well to hurdles winning his last 5 including a listed race 2 runs back at Market Rasen. He needs decent ground so any rain is a huge negative but providing it stays dry this looks like being win number 6 in a row. Azure Fly (IRE) has plenty to find on ratings with Sea Lord but he is going the right for a trainer in blistering form. He broke his maiden in fine style at Stratford winning by 31 lengths and followed up in novice company with another 10 length win at Huntingdon. This is a big step up in class but he is obviously well thought of and set to give Sea Lord the most to think about. Life And Soul (IRE) has had a profitable summer winning for the 4th time 2 runs back at Cartmel. He was beaten a long way by Rum And Butter last time but he deserves his chance. Not a betting race for us unless the rain arrives then Sea Lord is likely to be long odds on. Our token selection is Sea Lord
Race 4:
Highrate (IRE) was last seen last November at Hexam getting off the mark over fences on handicap debut. He has since left Sue Smith and it will be interesting how he fares in the betting on his first start for Kim Bailey. Green Bank (IRE) has had a profitable summer winning back to back races at Southwell and Market Rasen. He was well beaten in cheek pieces last time and the headgear has been dispensed with today. He is the likely pace in the race and with the yard in tremendous form may be difficult to pass. Baily Storm (IRE) is likely to pester Green Bank at the front but will have to be spot on with his jumping if he is to win this. He recorded his second win over fences back in July and although he is not out of this he does put in the odd clanger. Sadler’s Star (GER) too advantage of a reduced mark to get back to winning ways 2 runs back at Newton Abbot. He wasn’t beaten far last time by Roc De Guy and is one to consider whilst in this form. Moleskin (IRE) is a course and distance winner that is well treated on his best form. He finished behind Be Definite (IRE) 2 runs back but was much better last tie out at Bangor. A trappy race with several in with chances. We think the e/w value in the race is Sadlers Star at 10/1
Race 5:
The highlight off the card with the projected battle between champion hurdler Rock On Ruby (IRE) and the smart Neptune Novices winner The New One (IRE). It is hard to know how fit either of them are as this is just a preparation run on the road to Cheltenham. The New One is a very exciting prospect and proved he is worth at the seat at the top table with his 2nd to Zarkandar when last seen at Aintree. The sharp nature of this track looks to play to his strengths and we feel he is the one to beat. Rock On Ruby is one of the very best and went down on his shield defending his champion hurdle crown at Cheltenham. The head gear he usually wears is left off today suggesting he will not be fully wound up. Australia Day is a course and distance winner and will ensure there is some pace in the race. He could be dangerous if allowed a soft lead and could be the one for the f/cast with Rock On Ruby needing the run. Our selection is The New One
Race 6:
Cap Elorn (FR) has really thrived this summer since being fitted with blinkers. He comes into this looking for the 5 timer. He is upped in class but he deserves a crack at this level and is by no means ruled out. Oh Crick (FR) has gone close of much higher marks but he ended last season in poor form and his record fresh isn’t very encouraging. Gallox Bridge got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking back in February at Market Rasen. He has it to prove now though after unseating at this track and a disappointing run last time at Worcester. Alfraamsey is a course and distance winner and comes into this on the back of a win last time out at Plumpton. He is up 4lb but should remain competitive. A tricky race to call with several in form horse and some potentially well treated ones on return from a break. Cap Elorn is thriving and hard to oppose but our selection is Alfraamsey at 6/1
Race 7:
A decent novices hurdle to bookend the card. Howlongisafoot (IRE) is sure to have his supporters on the back on his bumper win on his first start for Paul Nichols. He is from a smart family and probably the one they all have to beat. Gold Ingot stepped up on his previous efforts when getting off the mark over hurdles last time out over course and distance. He will need to pull out more if he is to win again under a penalty. Master Benjamin is getting his act together with racing and comes into this on the back of a close up 2nd behind Fleet Dawn at Haydock. The form of that race is working out well and he is one to consider seriously. Warden Hill (IRE) got of the mark at the first time of asking in an AW bumper and has done nothing wrong since. He was last seen finishing 2nd at Ascot behind Forresters Folly and the form is working out well with plenty of winners emerging from the race. Mick Channon hasn’t had the best season on the flat and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the betting here as he is very much one to consider on form. Andy Kelly (IRE) makes plenty of appeal on paper but showed very little in Irish bumpers. The market will guide to his chances for an in form yard. Owen Na View (IRE) took a while to get off the mark in point to points but showed something to work on when 2nd in a Perth bumper last month. The strength of that form is open to question but the yard s in fine form and is one to note if the betting. Howlongisafoot and Master Benjamin both make some appeal and are by no means ruled out but we think the one to beat is Warden Hill at 4/1
Give everything but up!
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