Selections for Saturday 29th of June 2024
1.35 Newcastle
1 point each way City House (6/1 William Hill/ Ladbrokes/ Coral, 4 places)
City House looks better suited by the all weather surface and is a sprinter with potential. He won a nursery at Kempton as a 2 year old and was narrowly beaten at the same track 17 days ago. He is up 2 lbs for that effort but this stiff Newcastle track will suit and he is bred to see out this stiff 6 furlongs strongly.
2.35 Newcastle
1 point each way Belgoprince (8/1 888 Sports 4 places or else 15/2 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
The jockey booking of James Doyle for Belgoprince was a big eyecatcher. He won at Epsom over 1m 4f last August He pulled 11 lengths clear on that occasion. He was second on his most recent run at Sligo in a 2m 2f Handicap Hurdle when just held by the eventual winner The Truant. He will have no issues with this trip and acts on this surface.
3.10 Newcastle
1 point each way Zoffee (11/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ William Hill, 6 places)
Zoffee won the Vase on this card back in 2022 and although well beaten in last year’s Plate I feel this year could be different as he skipped Ascot to stay fresh for today. Zoffee was a good winner of the Chester Cup last month off a mark of 90. The handicapper has raised him 4 lbs for that but he can still be competitive here off a mark of 94.
1 point each way Duke Of Oxford (12/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 6 places)
Duke Of Oxford is another one I want to keep onside. This ex Aidan O’ Brien trained horse was dropped 1 lb for finishing eleventh of sixteen in the Chester Cup. He was drawn in stall 16 on that occasion and it was pretty much a non event for him. He is now on the same mark as when a 3 length second to Prydwen on the all-weather finals day here in March. Tyler Heard is onboard and claims a further 3 lbs. If he can get this horse into a good position from stall 20 and not get caught too far back in the field I feel we have not seen the best of this 4 year old yet.
3.40 Newcastle
1 point each way Local Hero (11/2 Bet365/ William Hill/ 888 Sports, 4 places)
Local Hero has only had the four career starts so far and his all weather record reads 121. He won a Novice Stakes at Kempton on debut over 1 mile last August before disappointing on his final run of the season when last in a Listed race at Doncaster. He was second on his seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton again over 1 mile and won on his last run at Kempton over 7 furlongs. He is now up in grade but receives weight all round and should go close under Hollie Doyle.
**Date & Time of next Selections Sunday 30th of June at 10am..