The ground was described as good at Southwell on Sunday morning ahead of today’s jumps card and I hope to see Percy’s Word (2.40) get his head in front for in the novice hurdle Team Skelton.
The selection -9/4 with Boylesports – disappointed when returning from a four-month break at Ludlow last month but his second to L’Incorrigible at Doncaster back in December is very good form. He is rated in the 90s on the level but just 117 over hurdles and I expect to see Harry Skelton make plenty of use of his mount who is a dual all-weather winner but has yet to get his head in front on turf.
Last time out winner Ever So Cool is likely to be all the rage for the Skeltons’ in the mares’ handicap hurdle but preference is for Solstalla (4.10) who has been raised 7lbs for her own fluent Newton Abbot success over an additional quarter of a mile. The mare – 7/2 with 10Bet – travelled like the best horse throughout the race, and she is taken to pick up the market leader in the home straight.
There is the likelihood of more persistent rain at Newton Abbot, and I would expect the ground to be no better than good to soft for this afternoon’s card. Granted such conditions – but no worse – I feel Whiskey Lullaby (3.50) can make a winning chase debut for Paul Nicholls. The selection – 9/4 with BetVictor – finished runner up in his sole point and has had his wind operated on since finishing tamely over hurdles here back in April. He makes his chase but from what looks an attractive mark.
Windsor are inspecting at 8am with further rain forecast and the meeting must be in considerable doubt. No such problems at Wolverhampton where I hope to see Hachert (8.20) follow up his recent C&D success for local handler Jennie Candlish from just a 3lbs higher mark. The selection – 2s with William Hill – has won from a higher mark in the past and is certainly bred to be useful.
