Selections for Saturday 24th of February 2023
3.00 Kempton
1 point each way Cap Du Nord (9/2 Skybet, 5 places or else 5/1 William Hill, 4 places)
Once again Christian Williams has taken the time to source a good 5lbs claimer in Cian Quirke to aid the chances of Cap Du Nord. He won this last year off a 3lbs lower after taking in the jockeys weight allowances beating stablemate Kittys light by 2 ¾ lengths with Our Power back in third. He stayed on strongly to win for us at Ascot last week beating a well handicapped Neon Moon by 7 lengths. There would be a slight concern on the 7 day turnaround but he must be showing the right signs at home or he wouldn’t be running. He should go well on both the course and ground that suits him.
1 point each way Clondaw Castle (8/1 Skybet, 5 places or else 9/1 Generally, 4 places)
It is against my principles to back eleven year olds in races and that includes the veteran races but Clondaw Castle has a bit of class about him especially on good ground. He travelled sweet enough on his comeback from a long absence on ground that he would have hated over an inadequate trip to suggest he still retains ability. He won this race two years ago off the same mark as today and has form figures of 12112212 going right handed.
3.40 Kempton
1 point each way Ukantango (5/1 Coral , 3 places or else 9/2 Skybet/ Ladbrokes, 3 places)
Ukantango has done very little wrong in his first four starts since joining Olly Murphy from Ireland. He won his Bumper on debut before winning two Novice Hurdles before finishing second in a Grade Two at Cheltenham. Springwell Bay who finished third that day boosted the form with a facile 9 ½ lengths win at Ascot last week. He was disappointing last time in the Grade One Talworth Hurdle but the ground was soft that day and it looked like he just couldn’t handle it. I am willing to forgive him for that run and both the drop in Grade and better ground should see him back to form.
3.25 Newcastle
2 points Win Kittys Light (5/2 Generally)
I was really hoping that Kittys Light would be at least 4/1 for a 2pt EW bet but he has kept shortening and I was close to leaving him out altogether at the advised prices. However I do feel he has a favourites chance of winning and if for whatever reason it’s not today it will be at Ayr or Sandown. Win My Wings won this race for trainer Christian Williams last year and Kittys Light really deserves to have his pay day. He finished second in the Coral Trophy at Kempton, second in the Scottish National and third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown off a mark of 145. He has been getting handicapped this season so far and off a mark of 132 is dangerously well treated. The good/ soft ground is more to his liking than the majority in here so no excuses.
1 point each way Houston Texas (14/1 Paddy power, 5 places or else 12/1 William Hill/ Skybet, 5 places)
Houston Texas gets in here near the foot of the weights for trainer Nicky Richards and he is my cover bet at 14/1, 5 places. He wouldn’t mind a little give in the ground and should appreciate this step up in trip. If he can go the early pace and hold on to the leaders through the early part of the race he has no weight on his back and should see out his race strongly. He is lightly raced for his age and is unexposed at this trip. My only worry would be the ground being too fast for him but that can be said for the majority in here bar Kittys Light.
**Date & Time of next Selections Friday 3rd of March at 9pm