Selections for Saturday 8th of April 2023
1.30 Haydock
1 point each way Big Boy Bobby (12/1 William Hill/ Betvictor/ Coral/ Betfred/ Boylesports/ Betway/ Ladbrokes, 4 places)
Big Boy Bobby didn’t handle the Heavy ground last time at Fakenham when pulling up. He may be better judged on his second, beaten a head by No Ordinary Joe who himself finished second in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the festival. 12 lengths back in fourth was Faivoir who went on to win the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. He ran off a mark of 116 on that occasion and today’s mark of 120 doesnt look out of his reach in a weaker looking race. 12/1 looks like a big price on the back of one poor run and today’s Good to Soft ground should be more to his liking.
2.25 Musselburgh
1 point each way Dirtyoldtown (8/1 Paddy power/ 888 Sports/ Betfair/ Betvictor/ Betway, 4 places)
Dirtyoldtown has proven form on soft ground having won and been a close second twice from four runs. He was second over today’s 7 furlongs trip at Doncaster, second by a head to the Charlie Appleby trained New Kingdom who has won since in Meydan. The blinkers are retained after his disappointing run at Doncaster last Saturday. I am putting that run down to the fact he had no chance with the draw and jockey San James minded the horse. Hopefully he runs a better race from a better draw today.
3.00 Musselburgh
1 point each way Makanah (13/2 Skybet, 5 places or else 7/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Coral/ Betway, 4 places)
This is an open 5 furlong Sprint and I was divided between Zarzyni and Makanah. I decided on Makanah who finished fourth in this race last year 1 ¾ lengths behind the reopposing Zarzyni. On that occasion Makanah was short of room at a crucial time of the race before staying on again at the finish. He is a three time course and distance winner so at least should hit the frame. He enjoys a bit of cut in the ground so conditions should be fine.
3.35 Musselburgh
1 point each way Wise Eagle (7/1 Skybet, 5 places or else 9/1 Paddy power/ Betfair, 4 places)
Wise Eagle has a superb record at this track having won on three occasions and been second on the other beaten a short head. He finished last season winning on three occasions varying from 1m 6f on good to firm ground to 2m 2f on good to soft. Trainer Adam Nicol has claimed that this has been his target since winning at Pontefract and that preparations have gone perfectly. This is his toughest task so far and hopefully he can continue to progress.
4.30 Fairyhouse
1 point each way Western Walk (15/2 Skybet, 5 places or else 15/2 Generally, 4 places)
Western Walk won a Maiden Hurdle last time at Navan over 2m 6f after changing stables from Gavin Cromwell to Jonathan Sweeney. He runs here off a mark of 118 carrying a low weight of 10 -7 and top claimer Michael O’ Sullivan claiming 5 lbs. The step up in trip looks to be a potential plus for this horse on pedigree and some of the more fancied in the market are coming back from races at Cheltenham. Hardy Bloke won a poor contest at Wexford on his last run but made mistakes at nearly every Hurdle and Verdant Place has gone up 10 lbs in the weights for his win at Punchestown although Aidan Kelly claims 7 lbs. He is the most likely winner but is opposable at the prices.
5.05 Fairyhouse
1 point each way Ballybawn Belter (7/1 Skybet, 6 places or else 15/2 Bet365, 5 places)
I was near giving this race a miss after changing my mind on numerous occasions about the best betting angle. Ballybawn Belter won impressively over 2 miles at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival against her own sexes. She was carrying a low weight on that occasion as well and I am hoping she can beat the boys today from the foot of the weights carrying just 10 – 2 with Aidan Kelly claiming 7 lbs. She loves a strong pace over 2 miles and will be staying on strongly at the end. She skipped Cheltenham unlike Risk Belle who we backed on the last two occasions and Jazzy Matty who won the Boodles. That was a tough race and three weeks might not be long enough to recover for this.
**Date & Time of next Selections Saturday 8th of April at 9pm..