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Whether
it be "the race of the day" or a small prize
roun d
the gaffs, we will attempt to use our knowledge of the
formbook to highlight the fancied horses participating
each day and their characteristics and requirements.
Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a
winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own
view on a particular fancy of yours ... it may even
convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent
eachway claims. whichever is the case, we hope the
information is of use to you.
AYR
Saturday 21st April
1:45 Purvis Marquees Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Class C
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ Caesar's Palace (GER)
"THE ROOK " _ Seven line up for the opener,
of which Najjm, Barrow, and Caesar's Palace, make most
appeal. I am becoming a huge fan of Najjm, who have
impressed me with his attitude in both starts. He won
nicely over 2miles at Newbury last time, and has the
makings of a decent handicapper next term (at the very
least). I'm a little worried about this trip though,
and its possible that both Barrow, and Caesar's
Palace, may nick this from him, however I'll stay
loyal to him today
"<1st> Choice" _Najjm
"(e/w) Alternative" _Caesar's Palace,
2:20 Doubleprint Novices' Handicap Chase Class B
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ Carbury Cross, Enrique (GER), Errand
Boy and Sawa-Id
"THE ROOK " _The second on the card is a
wide open handicap; Valigan, Carbury Cross,
Lordberniebouffant, Montifault, Picket Piece,
Bindaree, Enrique, Youre A Goodun, Dulas Bay, Sawa-Id,
Errand Boy, Good Time Melody, Frenchman's Creek and
Nordic Prince, are all not without chances here. I'll
be hoping that Carbury Cross, can take this despite
the relatively poor form of the stable. Another decnet
prospect for next term, Carbury Cross, has been given
plenty of time to mature, and has been skillfully
placed to win his last four starts. This is likely to
be strongly run, which should suit him, and I'll be
hoping that Mick Fitzgerald is able to produce him
late to take this
"<1st> Choice" _Carbury Cross,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Enrique (GER)
2:50 Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices'
Chase Class A Grade 2
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ Ballinclay King, & Gotha (FR)
"THE ROOK " _Ballinclay King deservedly won
his first decent prize when getting up close home at
Aintree two weeks ago, however he didn't impress with
his attitude and carried his head far too highly for
comfort, with that in mind I'll overlook him, and
Wahiba Sands,, who also ran well at Aintree, and take
a chance with Be My Manager, who has impressed in
winning both starts this term, particularly last time
when winning win a bit in hand at Cheltenham in
January ,beating Frenchmen's Creek
"<1st> Choice" _Be My Manager
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Gotha (FR)
3:20 Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle
(Limited Handicap) Class A Grade 2
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ Auetaler (GER), Seixo Branco, Dibea
Times (FR), and Ilico II (FR)
"THE ROOK " _Competitive renewal of the
Scottish Champion Hurdle; Bring Sweets, October Mist,
Ilico II, Seixo Branco, Auetaler (GER), Copeland, and
Milligan all look to have claims. I have to stay loyal
to Dibea Times, who is a better animal than he showed
at Sandown in the Imperial Cup. Before that effort he
looked as good as we thought when winning his first
effort in France, and if he is that frame of mind, may
look close here. I'll take him to score from Ilico II,
who won decisively at Aintree, and Auetaler, who ran
well in the Tote Gold Trophy, who may go well here at
a big price
"<1st> Choice" _ Dibea Times (FR) (May
be withdrawn because of the fast ground, in which case
I'd switch to Auetaler)
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Auetaler (GER) (If
Dibea Times is absence then the eachway alternative is
Milligan)
4:00 Gala Group Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase
Class A Grade 3
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ Ad Hoc, Kaki Crazy, and Tresor De
Mai
"THE ROOK " _An open renewal of the big
race, (far more so especially as Ardstown, my original
choice, was balloted out of the race !!!). All bar
three of these are in the handicap proper, and it
appears as though not many of these are certain to get
this trip; therefore any weaknesses are likely to be
ruthlessly exposed. Of those entered I like;
Earthmover
Glitter Isle
Last Option
Seven Towers
Murt's Man
Kaki Crazy
Village King
Take Control,
Ad Hoc
Hannigan's Lodge
Paddy's Return,
Royale De Vassy, and
Tresor De Mai
Spanish Main,
Take Control looks good on paper, but I would be
worried about him on this ground; The same may apply
to earthmover, however he has gone well on this
surface, so Polly Gundry may well have a good ride
here. My National selection Paddy's Return should act
on this surface, (he use to as a hurdler). He has that
little bit of class, and if he gets into a rhythm
should allow him to go close here, however I will stay
loyal to Ad Hoc. He has conditions to suit, and I've
always thought he could develop into a decent chaser
this season, particularly in the second half of the
season. A satisfactory 5th in the Racing Post Chase
wasn't a bad effort, and if he gets into a rhythm he
may be difficult to stop
"<1st> Choice" _Ad Hoc
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Tresor De Mai -
convinced he's better on faster ground, and could
surprise if he gets the trip
"LONG*SHOT!!"_ Last Option - If he's fit, he
has a bit of class and may nick a place
4:35 Bonusprint Handicap Chase Class B
"THE ROOK " _Jungli unluckily brought down
at Aintree, has a decent chance to atone here, at the
expense of Aghawhadda Gold, Ichi Beau (a good winner
yesterday) and Lord York in the sixth
"<1st> Choice" _Jungli
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Lord York
Two Good bumpers end the card
5:10 Ashleybank Investments Standard Open National
Hunt Flat Race Class H (Division I)
"THE ROOK " _Harpoon, Saif Majrour, Double
Timer, The Tall Guy, Bouncinoffthewalls, Calling
Brave, Star Man, and Mr Fluffy all caught the eye in
the first division; I'll take a chance with Harpoon, a
Kris gelding making his debut
"<1st> Choice" _Harpoon
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Bouncinoffthewalls,
5:10 Ashleybank Investments Standard Open National
Hunt Flat Race Class H (Division II)
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to
Follow' feature__ First Flight, & Best on Show
"THE ROOK " _Joss Naylor, Sun King, Rose
d'April, Trading Trouble, Better Days, First Flight,
Best on Show, and Uncle Wallace, appeal in the second
division. Rose d'April, a nicely bred import from
France gets the vote
"<1st> Choice" _Rose d'April,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ First Flight
Evening,
last day away from the nest, hopefully The Flatman's
analysis of a hard week at Newmarket was of some use.
Will soon be making the journey back from
Newham-on-severn, but before I do, I thought I'd post
my view on Friday's cards
AYR
Friday 20th April
2:20 James Barr Novices' Hurdle Class C
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _ Impek
"THE ROOK " _ My horses to follow
are running well at present, and Impek has a great
chance in an competitive opener. Ignore the last run
where he got stuck in the mud at Aintree. These
conditions should suit, and he should have too much
class for Swan Knight, Marble Arch and Ebinzayd
"<1st> Choice" _Impek
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Marble Arch
2:50 LG Air Conditioning Novices' Chase Class C
"THE ROOK " _
"<1st> Choice" _Ichi Beau,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Channel Highlander,
3:20 Allied Glass Novices' Handicap Hurdle Class B
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _ Hindiana, &
Venture to Fly
"THE ROOK " _ I am a HUGE
Hindiana fan, who again is much better than he showed
at Aintree last time. Despite top weight, this
formerly decent chaser in France (already rated in the
150s over here) may have a bit too much class for
Majed and Venture To Fly here
"<1st> Choice" _Hindiana
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Sheer Genius
3:50 Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase Class B
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _Foly Pleasant,
Bouchasson, & Korakor,
"THE ROOK " _I'm A Bargain, a progressive
top-of-the-ground horse looks very attractive off of
10-2 here , especially if he can repeat the form of
his stylish win at Musselburgh last time out. Korakor
was decent in France and has yet to translate that
form. This isn't a great race, and he yet may surprise
"<1st> Choice" _I'm A Bargain,
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Korakor,
4:20 Royal Bank of Scotland 'National Hunt' Novices'
Hurdle Class C
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _Platonic-My-Eye
"THE ROOK " _
"<1st> Choice" _Southern Star
"(e/w) Alternative" _Patriarch
4:50 Royal Scots Dragoon Guards ILPH Hunters' Chase
Class H
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _Lord Harry
"THE ROOK " _
"<1st> Choice" _Lord Harry
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Litchanine,
5:20 HLB Kidsons Handicap Hurdle Class B
Runner(s) from our
"HORSES TO FOLLOW" feature _Brother Joe, and
Iris Royal
"THE ROOK " _
"<1st> Choice" _Iris Royal, (e/w)
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Carryonharry,
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