Something for everyone in Britain and Ireland today with over seven hours of action involving jumps, flat turf, and all-weather action.
Conditions were described as good to soft at Ffos Las on Sunday morning with only the possibility of a light shower before racing. Landofsmiles (2.40) has won his last three and the form of his latest success at Perth was given a boost when the runner up Do Not Disturb did us a favour at Kelso last week. Peter Bowen’s 8-y-old – 9/4 with 10Bet – is 6lbs higher in the weights this afternoon but he may not yet have reached his ceiling.
Minella Bobo – 9/2 with William Hill – made a bad mistake four out when still going well at Newbury last time, but quickly threw in the towel. He is 2lbs lower today and is potentially well ahead of his mark. Seven of the nine runners are fitted with some aid or are returning from a wind operation which suggests they are not the most genuine of bunches but Shantou Village is beginning to look well treated. Today’s better ground will suit.
I never thought I would see a strongly fancied animal 44lbs out of the weights but that is the case in the 3m handicap chase with Danilo D’Airy who landed a massive gamble at Warwick on Saturday evening – 100/1 into 13/2 – from a mere 38lbs out of the handicap. That facile 9L success was gained on soft ground, however, and he will do well to follow up less than 48 hours later.
The vote, however, goes to Hang Tough (3.50) who runs off the same mark as when runner up at Wetherby when last seen a couple of months ago. At the time of writing Jonjo O’Neill had saddled two winners from his last three runners and the recommendation is open to further improvement over fences. The selection was 7s before the defection of Danilo D’Airy but is 3s with BetVictor on Monday morning.
At Southwell Smuggler’s Blues (5.50) can gain reward for a string of consistent efforts. His second at Fakenham on his penultimate start was a good effort and the forecast good ground is ideal. He has only one career win to his name from 16 races under rules, but I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt in a race that will not take much winning. Regular jockey Johnny Burke is at Ffos Las, so Ciaran Gethings takes over in the saddle. The selection is 5/2 with Boylesports.
There is a listed raced at Windsor this evening and Qaysar will carry a 3lbs penalty for scoring at Haydock in similar company on Saturday when he sluiced through the heavy ground. Conditions were described as soft on Sunday morning with further showers forecast. There is little pace in the race which is a concern for Brentford Hope (6.30), and I hope Jamie Spence is alive to the fact that the race could well prove tactical. The selection is 5/2 with MansionBet.
Richard Hughes has always held the horse in high regard, and he was pulled out of a Chester handicap last week with a vet’s certificate to wait for this fascinating contest. French import Syrtis has made all in the past and the hope is that Godolphin castoff might set the gallop in what is a hot little race.
The form of Remedium’s (7.30) second at Nottingham on his reappearance was given a huge boost when the winner – Third Realm – landed the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday. That run was on fast ground and Richard Hannon’s three-year-old does have to prove his effectiveness under this evening’s conditions, but he looks to have found a very suitable novice event. The selection is Evens with BetVictor.
Zuraig looks sure to improve for his racecourse debut at Newbury when he was slowly away but showed clear signs of ability.
