FEATURE - Beverley 3.15 - Handicap - Class 4 - 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Firm

 

The old low draw bias here has increasingly been wiped from the memory bank over the past few seasons and it has become a trend to see horses drawn higher coming wide in the the straight with some cover and pouncing late up the middle of the track, so I'm far less fixated on "draw bias" than I would have been a few years ago.

 

Billyb who is on a nice mark may not be suited by the firmer ground, Zaffire is far less exposed and more lightly raced than most of these and looks a real danger but has no quantifiable form on this ground and that just put me off but it would be no surprise to see this run a belter IF it handles conditions. On The River would have been a tip had the Going been Good or Softer and is one already in the Tracker for that eventuality. 

 

I think that Tropez Power @ 9/2 is the one they all have to beat but 4/1 is tight in terms of value and unless you want a small win saver, I think there is far better e/w value elsewhere.

 

My clear top rating is for ELIGIBLE for Mick Easterby, on a winning mark of 77, Good to Firm is ideal and really I can't find any reasons not to back this one with confidence with luck in running. At bigger prices I can't split FOOLS RUSH IN and CLIFFCAKE , the enhanced places allow me to play both but if you wanted just the one they are in preference order. FOOLS RUSH IN has had 3 runs so is race fit, it's very well handicapped on past form and drops in Class here and the high Draw does not put me off. CLIFFCAKE is a Course and Distance winner also off a nice competitive handicap mark and underfoot conditions are again ideal. (North)

 

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PUNCHESTOWN 2.32 - Handicap Chase - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 12 run - Good

 

I'll start with a coupleof 6 year olds who I very much want to TRACK forwards and who I think will pay their way summer jumping later this season and with luck for a few years to come. Dr Val and Squire O'Hara should both be noted and we will follow them with interest. Another to TRACK but for different reasons is Gondor,this one has an obvious form chance but race fitness after a 288 day break may be the issue today, but once race sharp, it will surely pick up a race or two.

 

Jump The Shark is the hot favourite but gets an 8lbs penalty for a win last time and whilst it's chances are patently obvious , I'm happy to take it on with LADY KATE who ticks all of the boxes and is some each way value at 7/1 or higher and ARDAGH'S CHOICE who is already in the Tracker and who is on the comeback trail having had 2 runs since an 18 month break, it may still just need this but is showing signs that the old ability is still there and still plenty of time for this horse to win races of this type (Sean)

 

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NAVAN 5.15 Handicap - 1 mile 2 furlongs - 23 run (3 good reserves) Good

 

Doctor Grace @ 4/1 is a worthy favourite and a win saver may appeal to some but 4/1 for me in a 23 runner handicap is a bit of a cop out. Mr Mills is a danger on form and rating but would ideally need it to be a fair bit softer, Power Drive is very well handicapped on a massive amount of AW form but rarely races on turf but very much the dark horse here. HIGHER KINGDOM is 2nd reserve but the Yard have a few runners and he may slip into the field, I'll add a caveat that IF he does that a small side extra bet would be very strongly recommended and I'm adding this one to the TRACKER as its a really interesting one to follow.

 

With the enhanced places, I ended up with 5 of note, a top 3 and a couple at very nice odds that some may wish to play for smaller stakes.

 

SLANEY TIDE drawn in Stall 2 drops to its optimum trip in ideal ground conditions and has the proven stamina you need here, it's on an ideal mark and frankly, other than Doctor Grace , I will be disappointed if this one doesn't win!. LADY DELILA is less exposed but that is the only negative really as a really eye catching run last time caught me eye and notebook. NO TROUBLE is bigger odds and has a wide draw but ticks all the boxes for me and very much the more experienced type to run an enhanced place at big odds.

 

He just got the nod for 3rd rating ahead of another pair with some good Course experience at nice double figure odds in MAYO FOR SAM @ 16/1 - a 50/1 tipped runner up for us on the 7th May who can't be missed back here in similar conditions and FLEETFOOTSOLDIER @ 33/1 who I noted staying on over Course and Distance last time too and who looks to be running in to some form and race sharpness.

 

(MG)