Selections for Saturday 20th of April 2024
1.50 Ayr
1 point each way Deeper Blue (6/1 Skybet, 5 places or else 13/2 William Hill, 4 places)
Deeper Blue has been improving as he has been stepped up in trip and there is no reason to think he can’t step forward again at this 3 miles trip. On his penultimate start he finished second to the subsequent Grade 2 winner Henry’s Friend off 1 lb lower in the weights. That was over 2m 5f and he was second again on his latest start over 2m 7f at Newbury. A well handicapped Neon Moon got the better of him there but he was closing again at the line and it was 9 ½ lengths back to Abuffalosoldier in third. The handicapper has given him an extra 3 lbs but he is in good form and should hold every chance.
2.25 Ayr
1 point each way Favour and Fortune (5/1 Skybet, 5 places or else 11/2 Generally, 4 places)
Favour And Fortune found the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle a bit hot at the Cheltenham festival but is back in calmer waters here. He has a similar profile as last year’s winner, Rubaud, who was a talented novice running off a mark of 135. Favour And Fortune is running off a mark of 138 but he has run well all winter on ground that was far too soft for him. He finished a good second in the Grade One at Aintree behind Jango Baie. He has since been unlucky finishing second at Aintree last week off a mark of 139. Favour And Fortune finished second behind Fun Fun Fun on his penultimate start, conceding weight and pulling miles clear of the third. He then finished sixth in the Supreme but the dryer the ground gets the better his chances.
3.35 Ayr
1 point each way Inis Oirr (8/1 Skybet, 7 places or else 9/1 Generally, 6 places)
Inis Oirr has tightened in the market but I still want him onside for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell. His jumping has improved since he unseated his jockey on his chase debut at Kelso back last October. He is only 7 years old and is still very much exposed at these marathon trips. He couldn’t have been more impressive on his latest run when winning the Edinburgh National by 21 lengths. That was his first run over 3m 7f and this trip of 4 miles will suit him. The handicapper has raised him 14 lbs for that win. Mighty Thunder took a similar route when winning this race back in 2021.
1 point each way Mr Vango (14/1 Coral, 6 places or else 14/1 Ladbrokes, 5 places)
Mr Vango is another that is very unexposed over this marathon trip. He won the Devon National at Exeter by 60 lengths. That was on heavy ground over 3m 7f and the handicapper has raised him 15 lbs in the process. He followed that up by finishing third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham over 3m 6f. He had two very talented chasers ahead of him that day in Corbetts Cross and Embassy Gardens. With an official rating of 135 it wouldn’t be a shock if there was more to come from him.
2.40 Newbury
1 point each way Ballymount Boy (6/1 Paddy power or else 11/2 Betfred/ Skybet, 4 places)
Ballymount Boy handles soft conditions well and should be ideally suited by this 7 furlong trip. He finished second in a Group 2 at Goodwood over 6 furlongs last season and followed that up with another good second in a Group 3 at York over 7 furlongs. That was on good/ firm ground. He didn’t handle his trip to France at all, finishing eight of eleven in a Group One. But he ended his season by getting his well deserved win over 6 furlongs in a Listed race at Doncaster on Heavy ground. He didn’t get the clearest run that day and needed every yard to get ahead of Alaskan Gold.
3.15 Newbury
1 point each way Thunder Ball (13/2 Skybet, 7 places or else 8/1 Bet365/ William Hill/ Coral/ Ladbrokes, 5 places)
We backed Thunder Ball last time in the Lincoln when he looked to have had every chance at the two furlong pole. He had an easy time of it when his chance had gone and I am presuming he will have come on for that run. The handicapper has left him on a mark of 101 and he should get a lot closer today. The record in this race favours those drawn low so I have sided with Thunder Ball drawn in stall 8 and Navagio drawn in stall 5. It is worth noting that Thunder Ball won second time out last year at Newbury.
1 point each way Navagio (9/1 Bet365, 5 places or else 7/1 Skybet, 7 places)
Navagio ran on for third in the Lincoln last time at Doncaster. The handicapper has left him unchanged on a mark of 96 which is surprising. He was slightly unlucky in the Lincoln as he didn’t get an entirely clear passage. He too should strip fitter for that run and the straight mile will really suit this horse. Richard Kingstone is back onboard and will no him better after riding him in the Lincoln. He is drawn in stall 5. Nine of the past ten winners were drawn no higher than stall twelve.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 26th of April at 9pm..