Fairyhouse 1.05 Porterstown Handicap Chase - 3 miles 5 and 1/2 furlongs - 18 run - Yielding (dry day)

 

Klark Kent heads the market for Mullins who is clearly not risking his string on unseasonably good ground, I suspect this one may need the run and even with a run the messages so far are a bit mixed. Outside The Door is a clear danger but the ground may just be a little bit too tacky for this one, My Immortal has a definite chance but is upped in trip and I just fancy the more proven stamina lines today.

 

Elliott runs three and all are off extended breaks, Favouri De Champdou off 226 days and both Dunboyne and Where It All Began off 244 days, never discount the Yard nor his horses but on past evidence none would be particularly appealing running fresh and would generally need a run or two. Street Value won last time out and isn't taken lightly but is another who I think will need the run. Peaches And Cream would be a danger on best form and a few signs that the ability remains and another not lightly discounted. I don't think Brucejack will be winning today from 9lbs out of the handicap and in this company but he looks an out and out stayer so I have added him to the TRACKER, he can win a nice race somewhere over a trip closer to 4 miles in the sticks on a wet Wednesday or Thursday at some point. Sphagnum has run well for us before and not lightly discounted, I just feel the extra yardage and penalty are a hindrance. If we had a non runner with the top pair, he'd be my back up.

 

My clear top 2 rated are POSITIVE THINKER who is progressing well, a strong travelling type and with a clear round and luck in jumping I will be very disappointed quite frankly if this one isn't in the Winners Enclosure. STORMY JUDGE has had a couple of quiet and off the radar Hurdle runs and I am 100% sure this race has been a target race. This trip could be ideal and is well worth trying and off a nice mark and racing weight. I will be disappointed if we aren't in the first 4 finishers today.

 

At bigger odds and 3rd rated is HISTORY OF FASHION, runner up in this race last year off a mark of 119 with a 5lbs claim, runs off a mark of 122 with a 7lbs Claimer up today and another that you can be pretty sure has been trained for this race. My 4th rated if you are interested at big Odds is Flash De Touzaine, he can be reserve if we have a non runner and his 3rd place in the 2023 Scottish National whilst not repeated is a solid benchmark and after 2 runs he should be plenty fit enough to do himself justice and could nick an enhanced place. (Sean)

 

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ROBIN 

 

Leicester 2.50 - my NAP on this Card is LIBOR LAD each way, will get the trip, enjoy the Going and interesting on plenty of Hurdles form and a couple of sighters over the bigger fences (Robin)

 

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Carlisle 1.55 Handicap Chase - Class 3 - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 12 run - Soft

 

A decent competitive race on some decent Jumping ground at last.

 

Come On Teddy from the Derham yard with Cobden travelling up to ride may be a big ganger but on past evidence may just need this off a break of 257 days. Choosethenews was a facile 3 mile P2P winner who could be anything quite frankly so is added to the TRACKER. Jacks Parrot is on a hat trick but another who on past evidence may need this first run of the season. Champ Royal is a new recruit to Fences and also worth TRACKING over fences after today.

 

I have a clear top 2 rated from Southern yards but a couple with more exposed form tugging and nagging me..

 

The top 2 rated are ILLICO DE COTTE who I think IS the one to beat and I suggest a win only side bet. FORTUNATE MAN is up here for the O'Neill yard and was a very impressive winner of its only 3 mile P2P race, its run well over shorter trips but should really kick on now over this extended trip.

 

The exposed pair are Wasdell Dundalk who runs well here and who ticks many boxes and Shighness who jumped well round Wetherby on seasonal debut, a bit run from either would not be a surprise and if you didn't want the win saver if the price goes south of 5/2, then a small fun bet on either may deliver a tangible benefit.

 

Carlisle 3.00 Handicap Chase - Class 5 - 3 miles 2 furlongs - 13 run - Soft

 

Another competitive, albeit lower rade Chase

 

Paw Paw is in decent form and feared but i think may be better on flatter tracks and not really suited to this stiff climb. I will TRACK Lucinda's pair Clovis Boy and Torosay, both are very nice Chasing prospects and the Yard have clearly been waiting for some suitable ground. Craogh Patrick is out of form and the mark is tumbling fast but one of those types who will at some point find a level and be winning again. 

 

My clear top rated and WIN bet is DUSATOIR impressive last time when tipped elsewhere by SP2A running on late , clearly has scope to overcome this extended trip. My next 2 rated and well worth a small e/w punt with extended places are the more exposed GYPSY LEE ROSE a distance winner off a mark of 84, will come on markedly for seasonal debut and who might still need this but certainly capable of winning races soon and LOW MILEAGE an ex Irish runner, had a run and suggestions in old Irish form that this trip and mark are well within place scope. (North)