Good morning all,
The second stage of England’s Covid19 lockdown began on Monday and two owners per horse are now allowed on a racecourse for the first time since December. Aintree are hoping that six owners per horse will be allowed for the Grand National meeting.
In other Grand National news. Aintree racecourse could start watering later in the week. The going on Tuesday morning was officially described good to soft, good in places on both the National & Mildmay Courses. The weather is forecast to be mainly dry up to Grand National Day, a week on Saturday.
Plenty of good racing before Aintree. On Friday it’s the end of the all-weather season with All Weather Finals Day at Lingfield. Terrestrial TV viewers can enjoy six races from Lingfield and four from Newcastle on a bumper 10 race programme on ITV4.
On Saturday the ITV cameras switch to Haydock for the Challenger Series Finals over jumps and to Musselburgh for flat turf action with Betway Queen's Cup (Heritage Handicap) (3:35) the feature race of a seven-race card at the Scottish track.
Saturday also sees the day one of Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting which culminates on Easter Monday with the latest renewal of the Irish Grand National which wasn’t run last year because of the Covid19 pandemic.
Inside today’s short main piece, I have one horse to note for Friday's All-Weather Championship Day. Plus, a selection from Southwell.
All -Weather Championships
It’s the all-weather Championship races at Lingfield on Good Friday. I haven’t had a good look at the entries but it looks like a day for short priced horses. One horse that I will be definitely keeping on side runs in the sprint.
Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes
Harry’s Bar a useful sprinter on the synthetics, when trained by James Fanshawe, including 2-2 at Lingfield. The 6-year-old has continued in good form since joining Ado McGuinness winning twice at Dundalk. His last two runs on the dirt in Saudi Arabia & back at Dundalk, over a mile can be forgiven and this race has been the aim since he won in November.
In tomorrow’s column I will be looking at a couple of Saturday’s big races.
Wednesday Racing
Yesterday’s selection Makambe showed a good battling attitude and stuck his neck out at the right time to win at Wolverhampton. I have three of interest this afternoon at Southwell. Although I have to say it’s not the easiest day for finding solid betting opportunities.
Southwell
1:15 – Downbythestrand, a winner of point and a hunter chase two seasons ago, returned from a 636-day break to finish an encouraging 4th of 7 at Huntingdon 34-days ago. That was the 12-year-old’s first start for Alex Hales and he looks capable off a mark of 103.
3:50 – Padstow Harbour shaped with plenty of promise on her second bumper start last March. First run since and debut over hurdles today for the 6-year-old who is bred to win races in the sphere.
4:20 – Classic Tune gained his second career success over C&D in December. The 11-year-old then ran better than his final finishing position suggests back here 23-days ago. That was his first start since a wind-op and he’s got each way claims in a similar contest.
Wednesday selection:
Southwell
1:15 – Downbythestrand – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk