Good morning all,

The Derby Trials had been rather underwhelming until Sunday. However, that all changed at Leopardstown with Bolshoi Ballet demolishing his field in the Derrinstown Derby Trial. The recent Ballysax winner maintained his improvement with a decisive 6 length success.

Ryan Moore kept it simple on the winner who was always in a good position. Taking it up three out the colt showed a good turn of foot two out to put the race to bed. After that it was just a case of the jockey keeping up to his work which he did.

Last season’s Futurity winner Mac Swiney had been expected to go close on his seasonal reappearance. He went second three out but couldn’t match the winners change of gear and lost two places inside the final half a furlong.  A disappointing effort on the face of it and the bookies pushed him out in the betting for next month's Derby. As he showed last year the more testing the ground the better and if he was to get deep ground at Epsom, he would have each way claims.

Lough Derg a stablemate of the winner plugged on for second but he looks more of St Leger type, although he wouldn’t be bred for 1m 6f.

As for Bolshoi Ballet he will now head to the Derby, for which he is the 7/4 ante post favourite. He’s bred for 1m 4f so his improvement hasn’t levelled out either.  If he handles the track, he’s the most likely winner. Visually impressive as he was at 7/4 he looks plenty short to me.

Inside today’s main piece I have few horses that caught my eye last week from Chester. Plus, there’s a couple of interest from Killarney.

Last Week’s Notes and Eyecatchers

My tracker is really stating to fill up. Here are a few that caught my eye last week at Chester.

Wednesday

Showalong – Tim Easterby

Won the 5f handicap with more in hand than the official margin of ¾ length suggests. Will win again and he’s a 3-year-old handicapper going places.

Selected – Richard Fahey

Was dropped in from his high draw which wasn’t the place to be and didn’t seem totally happy on the turning track. He kept on nicely enough when 5^th of 10 behind Paws For Thought and has races in him.

Thursday

Count D’Orsay – Tim Easterby

Is well suited to easy ground and his form figures on good to soft/soft going are now 1121122 after his 2^nd of 9 behind the front running Jabbarockie. Did best of those coming from the rear and can have his effort marked up

Copper Knight – Tim Easterby

Finished one place behind Count D’Orsay in the 5f handicap. The 7-year-old isn’t the horse he was but he’s become temptingly handicapped and can race in 0-85 handicaps.

Friday

Dulas – Charles Hills

Has returned to action in good form finishing runner-up at Haydock and occupying the same position behind Grove Ferry in the extended 7f handicap here. Dictated from the front and looked to have his rivals on the stretch when kicking for home two out. He can win a decent handicap pot.

Postileo – Roger Varian

The 4-year-old came into the Chester Plate an improving stayer and he maintained his progress when 2^nd of 13 to Green Book. Not helped by interference at the start and then on wasn’t well positioned. Made good headway from three out but was never likely to catch the enterprisingly ridden winner. He remains one to be interested in going forward as does the well treated Speedo Boy who finished 4th.

Tuesday racing

Killarney

7:15 – Pinpointed has returned to action in good form, finishing runner-up at Leopardstown before going one better at Tipperary last time. She’s got 5lb more to carry and drops back a furlong in distance but looks set to go close.

7:45 – Hook Head lightly raced for a 4-year-old he put in a career best performance when winning a 1m 5 handicap at Navan 16-days ago. Up 4lb for that success but Luke McAteer takes off a handy 5lb. Shapes like he will stay further and in his present form is capable of following up.

Tuesday selection:

Killarney

7:45 – Hook Up – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

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Good luck with your Tuesday bets.

John

John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk