September 2015

Sadly, New Bidder failed by a nose and a neck to land our treble last week but, in the words of Meat Loaf, two out of three ain’t bad, so we’re back again in search of a decent payday.

Our first selection this week is Top Spin, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, in the Ken Muir Memorial Handicap Hurdle (3.50) at Warwick. Formerly trained in Co. Wexford by Colm Murphy, the 8-year-old was second to a subsequent winner on his debut for his new yard at Worcester in August and can go one better.

For our second selection we head to Bangor-on-Dee, where Valadom looks well treated under a 7lb penalty in the Barringtons Cleaning Ltd Handicap Chase (4.00). The 6-year-old only joined owner-trainer Richard Hobson from Emmanuel Clayeux earlier this month, but is clearly thriving at present and can continue his progress.

Last, but hopefully not least, Desert Recluse made a promising seasonal debut at Stratford five weeks ago and looks worthy of support in the 2015 Dealer Principal Event Handicap Hurdle (2.40) at Warwick. A prolific winner he isn’t, but reasonably handicapped he most definitely is, so it’ll be disappointing if he doesn’t go well under ideal conditions.

Selections: Warwick 3.50 Top Spin, Bangor-on-Dee 4.00 Valadom, Warwick 2.40 Desert Recluse win Trixie (3 x win doubles, 1 x win treble)

It’s fair to say that a 17-runner sprint handicap isn’t an obvious selection source for a multiple bet, but New Bidder ran so well in William Hill Ayr Bronze Cup last Friday that he must have an outstanding chance in the Download the Racing UK iPad App Handicap (4.00) at Pontefract on Friday. Jedd O’Keefe’s 4-year-old eventually finished third of 25, beaten 1¾ lengths, behind Go Far at Ayr and drops back in class off the same handicap mark.

The Jockey Club Rose Bowl (4.15) at Newmarket is much less competitive and may provide Flying Officer with an opportunity to build upon his successful reappearance at Salisbury three weeks ago. The runner-up at Salisbury, Melodious, was beaten just a neck in the Group 2 DFS Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster next time, so the form looks even better than it did at the time. Two miles on the prevailing good to soft going should be fine for the son of Dynaformer and it’ll take a smart performance to lower his colours.

Bathos has made excellent progress this season and, having recorded a career-best effort at Thirsk earlier this month, may be able to make it four wins from as many starts. The son of Poet’s Voice is 7lb higher in a better race this time, but a mile on good to soft going clearly suits him admirably and he looks the one to beat in the EBM Papst Nursery Handicap (2.35) at Newmarket.

Selections: Pontefract 4.00 New Bidder, Newmarket 4.15 Flying Officer, Newmarket 2.35 Bathos, win trixie (3 x win doubles, 1 x win treble)