Selections for Saturday 23rd of March 2024
2.10 Newbury
1 point each way Kartoon And Co (11/4 Bet365/ William Hill, 3 places)
Kartoon And Co steps up in trip for this 2m 3f Novices’ Handicap. He has a big weight allowance of 12 lbs being a four year old and when you factor in the stable form he looks a rock solid bet of hitting the frame. He was sent off the 7/4 favourite on his last run over 2 miles at Sandown and just got outpaced before staying on well to finish second. That run had all the indications this extra 3 furlongs should really suit.
2.40 Newbury
2 points Win Heltenham (5/4 Generally)
Heltenham is another strong favourite for the in-form Skelton team. He did the service a good turn when winning at Newbury in the Greatwood Gold Cup. Harry Skelton sent him for home a long way out that day and he did well to get the better of Kandoo Kid, eventually winning by 2 lengths. The pair were 8 lengths clear of the third and a 6 lbs rise by the handicapper looks fair. He is now 2-2 over course and distance and it is hard not to see him going well again here.
3.15 Newbury
1 point each way Larchmont Lass (15/2 Paddy power/ Betvictor, 5 places)
This is a competitive mares Novices’ Hurdle but Paul Nicholls must have been happy when he saw the handicapper had given his mare a mark of 113. She won a listed mares bumper at Sandown last March on heavy ground. She has been overall disappointing so far this season and only managed to get her head in front when winning at Wincanton on her latest start when stepped up to 2m 5fs. This race looks full of pace and it looks likely to set up for a stayer. That will suit Larchmont Lass and a mark of 113 looks more than fair.
2.25 Doncaster
1 point each way Harswell Duke (6/1 Paddy power, 6 places or else 13/2 Generally, 5 places)
Harswell Duke looks like being laid out for the defence of this race after winning it last year off an 8 lbs higher mark. He has had the same pipe opener at Newcastle and the ground is perfect as he likes soft ground. He hasn’t shown any form over the past year to suggest he is up to winning this but he is simply too well handicapped now to ignore. With conditions in his favour and course and distance form he is worth an each way bet at 6s.
3.35 Doncaster
1 point each way Thunder Ball (12/1 Bet365, 6 places or else 11/1 William Hill, 6 places)
Thunder Ball progressed all through last season ending it by winning at Goodwood over 1 mile on soft ground. He was a 2 ¾ length seventh in the Cambridgeshire, racing up the centre of the track and finishing first of his group. That was on good to firm ground and it was a big run under the conditions. He was second at Goodwood in August again over 1 mile on soft ground. He was first past the post on that occasion but was placed due to interference. His two highest RPR ratings have come on soft ground over 1 mile. A chance is taken on fitness but it’s the same for most of these and he has his conditions.
1 point each way Spirit Genie (16/1 William Hill, 6 places or else 12/1 Generally, 6 places)
Spirit Genie has already been backed at bigger prices and is a more realistic price now at 16/1. He is still worth an each way bet from the foot of the handicap. He is carrying a feather weight of 8-2 in this and has the best lightweight jockey in Kieran O’Neill onboard. He is still very unexposed with only the four runs last season. You can take out the first and last runs as he has never run well on an artificial surface. He won a poor race at Leicester but the standout piece of form was his second at Newmarket behind Dashing Roger. That was on heavy ground over 1 mile and it was his best run of the season. He is running off a 3 lbs higher mark in this race. The Gatekeeper will bring him along from a wide draw and he could outrun his odds.
4.33 Navan
1 point each way Verdant Place (8/1 Bet365, 3 places or else 6/1 Paddy power, 4 places)
Battle It Out was a good winner for us the last day at Naas. The handicapper has raised him 11 lbs for that win and he has more on his plate today at the weights, Verdant Place has been disappointing so far in his chasing career but he has been running over trips too short and is dangerously handicapped off a mark of 113. His best form over hurdles came at this time of year last season when he won at Punchestown over 3 miles off a mark of 108 and came second at Fairyhouse again over 3 miles off a mark of 118. He is on to keep onside even if today is not the day.
**Date & Time of next Selections Sunday 24th of March at 10am..