Good afternoon folks
A cautious approach, a further selection below, along with the one’s already sent and their write up’s. Nothing more for Saturday.
3:08 Bangor
EL MUCHACHO– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 13/1 Boost Will Hill, 12/1 normal, 11/1 B.O.G 4 places generally (may get bigger as all books not priced up)
Tipped LTO in the Morebattle at Kelso, the Grade of race on that fast course found him out, especially after racing wide. I am in the hope that the step up in trip at this track off a lovely racing weight is what this son of stout stayer, Walk In The Park, wants to bring out the best in him so at the value price, I’m willing to forgive that run and take a chance on him to resume his previous consistent level of form that has also worked out very well.
1:15 Meydan
LADIES CHURCH– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 12/1 5 places Skybet, 12/1 B.O.G 4 places generally
This likeable, improving 4 year old put in a very promising display on her UAE debut when a short-head second to Miqyaas in the Blue Point Sprint over 5f here last month, running on very strongly at the finish. That performance is only enhanced by the fact that the daughter of Churchill was trapped away from the pace and her finishing effort suggests that the step up in trip should not be a problem and I expect her to put up a big performance in this.
2:05 Newbury
NUMITOR – 1/2 Pt Each way @ 13/1 5 places Bet365 & William Hill, 12/1 4 Livescorebet, 14/1 generally
I am taking a chance in this in the hope he gets his own way in front.
This is a race full of last-time-out winners but Heather Main’s gelding appeared on the way back when third to an on-song Galahad Quest and Iron Bridge (beaten a head since and Iron Bridge won today) at Warwick last month when he jumped well out in front before being outpaced by the winner on ground quick enough for him.
That was a solid effort – Numitor’s first since a wind operation – and he ran a terrific race at Newbury last season when splitting Il Ridoto and Frero Banbou with Grey Diamond back in fourth.
Down 7lb this term, he will relish the very testing ground and reproduction of that course effort would see the big grey go close under the excellent Adam Wedge who rides the chase course here very well
2:25 Kelso
FLOWER OF SCOTLAND– 3/4 Pt Each way @ 10/1 3 places Bet365, 17/2 & 8/1 3 places generally
looks potentially well handicapped returning to the smaller obstacles in the Schloss Roxburghe Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
After a promising reappearance at Carlisle in October, this grey mare was well fancied to lift the staying test on this course in early December and did so in impressive style.
She didn’t look nearly as comfortable next time in the Edinburgh National round the flatter and right handed Musselburgh but stayed on gamely to take third behind Magna Sam without ever looking likely to get there.
Kelso seems to suit Flower Of Scotland a lot better as she is unbeaten in three course visits over hurdles and fences, winning impressively on each occasion and running off a 5lb lower mark here than her current chase rating, she ought to be really competitive again in the hands of Ryan Mania and a stable in flying form.
2:40 Newbury
ANNIE MAGIC – 1/2 Pt Each way @ 22/1 6 places Bet365, 20/1 6 places William Hill, 25/1 5 places 365, 20/1 generally
The in form trainer and jockey have a cracking record when teaming up together at this course (1 winner 2 further places from 4 all time runners in handicap hurdles here!) and although this is a very tough race, this 3 mile point to point winner is proven under conditions and has beaten a few of these before so I am hoping for a decent show with her proven stamina a plus.