PADDOCKS PATENT (FRIDAY)

13:35 Doncaster

This class 4 novices contest may have a couple of decent competing and in Nicolas Chauvin we could have a nice horse at a youngish age of 7 for the jumping game. The horse is out of two winners over the longer flat distance and this gelding has proved that he has taken to jumping very well for the star studded duo of Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson. This may be a tougher contest than he has faced before but this should be within his stride and he has won his last two by 17 1/2l which suggests he is still very progressive. The main dangers in the race may come from the Tom George trained Some Buckle, and with the trainer in decent enough form Paddy Brennan and connections may be expecting a big run. Glingerburn may also have a sniff after recently winning at the course and over this distance but I expect the Henderson horse to run very well hopefully win

Nicolas Chauvin (WIN)

13:45 Lingfield

Over to Lingfield for our second selection and a class 5 maiden. One that immediately catches the eye is China Club who has a couple of 2nd places to her name and one at this track and trip less than 2 weeks ago. Whilst that form hasn’t been franked, this relatively quick turnaround may speak volumes for this 3 year old filly. As ever with maidens you are always exposed to a newcomer but none of the other horses’ breeding suggests they are anything hugely special (famous last words). I am backing the selection to go one better from last time and land her first success.

China Club (WIN)

14:30 Huntingdon

Presenting Lisa is entered in to a weak enough race after scoring at Towcester last time and the horse may have enough to see these off. Wayne Hutchinson is a much underrated jockey and Alan King’s horses are in decent form with a couple of smart winners at the weekend. Hel Tara for Nicky Henderson could be the biggest danger in the race and may well go off favourite but despite his fantastic array of horses I feel Alan King’s horse may be strong enough to get home. The forecast soft ground may be a plus as he bounded in last time on a similar surface. The quality of the Towcester race may be under a question mark as it was a fairly short price and any significant support for Hel Tara should be duly noted.

Presenting Lisa (E/W if 5/1+)