Good Morning folks
Nothing further doing on a tricky punting day. Back tomorrow with plans for York next week.
1:20 Newbury
GENERAL LEE– 3/4 Pt Win @ 8/1 Bet365, 15/2 & 7/1 generally
Picked up progressive thread (in blinkers) during second half of last season, winning Windsor maiden and Goodwood on final outing. I tipped him off the back of that victory LTO and he made an eye-catching move before possibly predictably fading after over 200 days off.
That latest effort was more encouraging and he has run well at this Berkshire track previously.
Although the 3 year olds hold the advantage in handicapping terms, I was happy to take a small punt for a stable/jockey combo (7lb claim looks useful) in ridiculously good form. In fact, Tabti has done really well for Paul and Oliver Cole this season. The apprentice boasts an impressive 5 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds from 21 rides, his latest being a runaway winner at Ffos Las on Wednesday
2:50 Ripon
AL SIMMO– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 16/1 6 places Skybet, 16/1 5 & 4 places generally
Steph Hollinshead’s ultra consistent 5 year old mare has been a huge improver over the last the 18 months, having won 7 of her 12 starts. She won four times last year, starting with a mark of just 57, and after a quiet return at Leicester in April she has now won three of her last four.
The first of those was a runaway success on her Ripon debut in May, while she has run career bests from the front in small-field contests at Newmarket on her last two starts. Her only defeat in her last four came when stepped up to this Class 2 company at York, but she fared well enough there, finishing third to Gale Force Maya, who has since finished third in Group 3 company and won another big York handicap, and Crazy Luck, who won her next two.
Hollinshead has a superb record at this track, especially over this 6 furlong trip where 4 of her last 5 runners have on WON! Al Simmo looks sure to go well if getting a nice position from a tricky stall 8.
3:00 Newbury
DOCUMENTING– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 12/1 4 places Bet365, 14/1 Bet365 3 places, 12/1 3 places generally
Documenting is well over-priced following some good efforts in his last three starts and looks sure to go very well, especially with the generous place terms on offer!
The nine-year-old travels with as much zest as ever in his races and was in front over a furlong out in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot in June since when he ran third to Saleymm at York and fifth to Fresh in the 21-runner International at Ascot on King George Day.
Down 6lb in the ratings since winning at Lingfield back in November, Documenting is certainly weighted to go close here and should get a good lead into the race from Able Kane.
Jack Mitchell has won twice and finished second twice from five previous rides on this evergreen seven-furlong specialist, and rides thi undulating 7 furlong course better than anyone achieving an excellent 5 winner, 8 placers form JUST 11 attemps to date!
Small time trainer Kevin Frost has his string in superb form with 5 of his last 7 runners on turf ALL WINNING!
Needs to sit close to pace and pounce which hopefully can be the case.
ABLE KANE– 1/2 Pt Win @ 12/1 generally
If Documenting does get a slow gallop, this horse could make all so a saver just in case that scenario plays out?
3:35 Newbury
DOUBLE BUBBLE– 1/2 Pt Each way @ 15/2 4 places W Hill, 7/1 4 places Paddy Power, 13/2 4 generally
The 5-year-old Double Or Bubble won a Group 3 (6f) at Newmarket on her seasonal return. Not disgraced and did best of those who raced stands side when a 3 ½ lengths 5th of 13 to Alcohol Free when tipped in the July Cup last time, just missing our place bet @ 66’s!
The mare stays 7f but she has to prove she’s up to winning in Group 2 company. The likely quick ground is a big positive and she’s 5 from 7 when racing 30+ days since her last start.
4:25 Newmarket
RATHBONE– 3/4 Pt Win @ 13/2 888Sport, 6/1 generally
Just touched off in this very race last season, that was a superb effort against our friend and the highly progressive Great Ambassador. Races of a 3lb lower mark today and Kevin Ryan has a great record at this track with his handicap sprinters. Jockey rides well so worth chancing.
4:45 Newbury
CASTEL GANDOLFO– 1 Pt Win @ 9/2 888Sport 4/1 generally
Trainer and jockey daughter took this race last season with a very similar type, coming from the exact 2m handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (Both went close in that)
Looks to have been laid out for this and I expect him to go very close in a race I would have normally overlooked being amateurs.