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There will be no selections on Friday.
Today’s bets:
Cheltenham 2.45
Overall profile is one of an improving horse and it could be, after his leg problems, that he prefers better ground nowadays. Only been seen over fences five times and, although they have come in very small fields, he has run out the emphatic winner of his last two outings. The assessor has taken the form literally and handed him a mark of 130 for his handicap debut. However connections had him entered up for a Grade two Novice at Ayr on Friday and a better handicap at the same venue tomorrow. The decision to shoulder top weight over a longer trip on a stiffer track may be worth heeding. he has plenty of substance about him and, after just 12 career starts, it would be surprising if we have seen the best of him. With his confidence restored he looks likely to get competitive and appeals more than his shorter priced market principals Orde De Bataille and Fire and Rain.
Selection – TAROTINO. 2 point win @ 13/2 (General) N/R :(
Newmarket 3.00
Said to have wintered well by his Trainer and produced his best performances last season over a stiff galloping six furlongs, the last over this C/D in August. That came in the first time tongue tie but it's debatable how much that contributed to his performance because he was below that form next time, albeit in a Group Two, at Ascot and it's dispensed with today. He has won both his last excursions into Listed company and an ability to go well fresh and the absence of a penalty in this race are bonuses. Represents a yard whose horses have been running well at this meeting.
Selection – EDGE CLOSER. 2 point win @ 9/2 (Sportingbet) :shame:
Cheltenham 3.20
Argento Luna did us a favour last time and is a most progressive, admirable Mare. She has improved massively since going down by 19 lengths to Over Sixty in a Novice race last October but despite, being 13 pounds worse off with Argento Luna, it is still the latter that is preferred on this occasion. Over Sixty has improved herself in the meantime and she leaves the strong impression that there could be significant progression to come now she is handed her stiffest stamina test to date. She was well beaten by Quevega in the Grade Two Mares race at the Festival but the winner looks very special and the selection did finish on the heels of the classy United. That form wouldn't see her handicapped out of this race on an initial mark of 135 and went some way to making up for her disappointment in her previous race. An earlier line through Carole's Legacy suggests she needs to improve to beat Argento Luna but, with plenty of stamina on her Dam's side, Over Sixty could relish the climb to the finish here and the promise of a decent pace is in her favour.
Selection – OVER SIXTY. 1 point E/W @ 8/1 (General) :shame:
Cheltenham 3.55
Selection – TISFREETODREAM. 1 point E/W @ 28/1 (General) :bad_egg:
Ripon 4.55
May not have the best of draws and only made the frame four times in 13 starts last season. That took his losing run to 17 races so he is not a horse who immediately jumps off the page. What does take the eye though is he has run well on his seasonal reappearance in each of the last two years. Both those efforts came from higher marks (90 and 86) and, although his profile indicates he is on the downgrade, it would be surprising if he couldn't compete from his present mark of 76. All ground seems to come alike to him and the presence of stable jockey, Neil Callan, is a positive. He will need to make a quick decision as to where the strongest pace is likely ot be because High Curragh will not appreciate a steady gallop over this easy six furlongs. The stable's turf horses have found their form this month and, at a double figure price the selection makes plenty of appeal.
Selection – HIGH CURRAGH. 1 point E/W @ 10/1 (Victor Chandler) 1st 8/1 - 10/1 available earlier
Ripon 5.30
Selection – RIO SANDS. 1 point win @ 12/1 (General)
Selection – KYZER CHIEF. 1 point win @ 12/1 (Stan James)