Around And About

Good morning all,

Had a bit more time on my hands than is normally the case on a Friday and managed to pretty much look at every race, even if briefly!

So this morning you're getting what I consider to be the best bet at each of the seven (yes, seven!) meetings today. Let's hope there's a winner or two in there.

1.00 Nottingham

Front-runners on the round course at Nottingham usually do well, and if you can find the leader here – because on paper there isn't really one – you might find the winner. Johnny Peate has shown himself a useful jockey on a few from the front when riding for Mark Johnston, and Swinton Noon has made the running in the past, so to my eyes he looks the most likely contender for the role. A weak race, and in the hope he goes forward, he can make all.

1.55 Hexham

Lovely Moon ran as well, if not better, than could be expected here last week, beaten eight lengths by much higher rated rivals and even when he got tired late on, his jumping still held up and he kept trying all the way to the line.

This is a quick turnaround but he almost won for his previous yard after a similar turnaround, and as ever from the Bewley yard, they’re almost certain to make better chasers than hurdlers. He’s interesting here, and if allowed to bowl along again, might prove hard to catch.

3.00 Haydock

Not a clever selection by any means, but you’re not going to go far wrong backing Ingleby Hollow each-way with the extra places here. Whilst his mark is as high as you’d probably like, equally he’s so consistent in these good handicaps that you feel he must be on the premises at the finish as he’ll run through the beaten ones. Should be a decent price given his exposed profile.

4.05 Ascot

Whilst you’re at it, why not try an each-way double Ingleby Hollow at Haydock and Chiefofchiefs here? Skybet are 6 places the Swinton and 8 places the Victoria Cup and I’d suggest the chances of both hitting the places is around about 5-1, yet you’ll get that and more.

Essentially Chiefofchiefs runs his race in these big-field handicaps time and time again, and whilst his hold-up style usually means he finds one or two too good, he’ll run through the flaggers late and claim fourth/fifth/sixth.

Oo De Lally makes some appeal at a big price too, as he’s well drawn, will sit handy and should come on for his Haydock run behind Boardman, where he just got tired late on. William Carver, who has won on him before, takes a useful three off, and could go well.

2.40 Lingfield

I don’t think there’s as much between Walk Of Stars and United Nations as the market would have you believe, and at the prices, the latter rates the bet.

Walk Of Stars was no more than workmanlike in winning at Newbury and although a small field often produces a muddling pace and result, he didn’t impress that much. United Nations looked desperate for 12f when fourth in the Blue Riband at Epsom and with O’Brien firing winners in left right and centre, rates the value.

7.05 Thirsk

Crypto Quest ran well when second to Eldrickjones at Pontefract last year, making the favourite do some work to get on top, and then didn’t really handle the surface at Southwell in January. He got a very workable mark off the back of that, and a return to turf saw him run much better at Doncaster after a break, going from the front and only giving way late. He’s got a cracking draw in stall 19 to work from if he’s going to repeat those tactics and this time, he can hang on.

7.50 Warwick

On a card I have little to no interest in, I could throw a shilling or two at Ingeborg Zilling at a huge price.

It’s gut feeling rather than anything solid but on saying that, she traded odds-on at Ludlow a year ago before she was seen off, so she must have some ability. Certainly she has the size for chasing, and I’d be happy to forgive her first chase effort over a trip too short and on ground too slow at Ludlow, and there was just enough in her Bangor effort last time to think she might win a small race somewhere.

Today's selection – Oo De Lally (e/w) 4.05 Ascot

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.