Selections for Saturday 4th of May 2024
1.45 Newmarket
1 point each way Rabaah (13/2 William Hill, 6 places or else 7/1 Coral/ Ladbrokes, 5 places)
The key to Rabaah might be the fact that this is his first run since being gelded and it should help him settle better. He won two novice races on the all-weather at the beginning of last season. He then underperformed over 6 furlongs at Newbury when far too free. He finished last season with a big run at York over 6 furlongs when fifth in his first handicap. The first three home in that race are now rated 17,23 and 13 lbs higher which would indicate there is definitely room in his handicap mark of 96.
3.35 Newmarket
1 point each way Rosallion (6/1 Generally, 3 places)
The first classic of the season on the flat and I am hoping City Of Troy can be the next superstar. But he takes a fair chunk out of the market and we will take him on with Rosallion for the Richard Hannon yard. He comes in here clear second best on ratings. He ended last season 3-4 and won a Group 1 at Longchamp on his final start on good to soft ground. He didn’t handle the proper soft ground on his penultimate start at Doncaster. He also looks like a horse that will take a step forward this year as he matures and he is the likeliest to put it up to the hot favourite City Of Troy.
2.40 Thirsk
1 point each way Pisanello (6/1 Bet365/ William Hill, 4 places)
Pisanello goes well fresh and was only beaten by the re-opposing Northern Express in this race last year. He won on his seasonal reappearance back in 2022. He has dropped to a mark that he won at Hamilton last July over 1 mile on soft ground. Jockey Mark Winn claimed 3 lbs off him that day and he is back onboard tomorrow. If they can just have him a bit closer to the pace he should be doing all his best work at the finish.
2.30 Punchestown
1 point each way Foxy Jacks (8/1 Skybet, 4 places or else 15/2 Coral/ Unibet/ Ladbrokes, 4 places)
Foxy Jacks has performed with credit over the past season, winning the Midland National at Kilbeggan last summer and winning the Cheltenham cross country race last November over 3m 5f on good to soft ground. He should have similar conditions today. Gavin Brouder claims the 5 lbs off him and he knows this horse well having rode him in all his races this season. This has surely been his end of season target and he should go well.
4.50 Punchestown
1 point each way Storm Heart (15/2 888 Sports, 3 places or else 13/2 Generally, 3 places)
I fancy Storm Heartto run a big race in the Champion four year old hurdle. He disappointed at Cheltenham when sent off the 7/2 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. On his penultimate start he finished 1 ¼ lengths behind the re-opposing Kargese at the DRF. Kargese has had some tough races and she had a hard race at Aintree when trying to match Sir Gino. Storm Heart comes here the fresher horse and even with any overnight rain the ground won’t be as heavy as he has been running on. Danny Mullins is riding with confidence and he could outrun his odds on better ground.
5.25 Punchestown
1 point each way Olympic Man (8/1 Bet365/ 888 Sports, 6 places)
Olympic Man is a horse that I like and for all the world I thought he had that valuable handicap won at Fairyhouse on his last start. He just got outstayed by Mousey Brown over 3 miles. This step down in trip back to 2m 4f should be to his advantage. The handicapper has raised him 6 lbs for that effort but this horse is on the improve and I feel he can improve past his new mark. The only thing holding this horse back is his hurdling, he can be slow over his hurdles on occasion but hopefully his hurdling will improve with racing as he has loads of ability.
**Date & Time of next Selections Sunday 5th of May at 10am..