PADDOCKS PATENT (THURSDAY)

12:55 Thurles For my first selection today we go to Ireland for a beginners chase run over two miles and six furlongs. There are conditions to this chase as it is for horses who are rated 116 or less over hurdles. The Ted Walsh trained Old Castletown is sure to be prominent in the betting here and comes here on the back of a hurdles victory. The second in that race has advertised the form well since by winning over hurdles and fences and a mark in the 110+ bracket looks easily attainable. I think he will have to improve a good bit more on that mark to trouble a few of these though and there is one concern. The gelding has had one run over fences in which he fell and he also had a fall in a point to point so jumping is a small concern. With that in mind I would be prepared to look towards one of the others. One that catches the eye in this is the Mouse Morris trained The Doorman who I hope will be an each way price here. While the geldings form in three runs over hurdles is mixed, a run in a point to point reads extremely well. the winner of that point now has a mark of 137 over hurdles and The Doorman only went down by half a length. I think there is enough evidence from horses in behind to suggest that the Mouse Morris charge inmate could be capable of a mark of 130+. Even though he returns from a 270 day absence the son of Kings Theatre has had a number of entries over the last few weeks, so should be arriving here fit. You could give a good chance to a few in this with Saltmills Blackie,Like it Alot and Once and Always appealing most. The Doorman (E/W if 5/1+)

13:55 Thurles We stay in Ireland for my second selection, a maiden hurdle run over two miles and six furlongs. It is hard to get away from the Noel Meade trained Couleur France in this who arrives here on the back of a good second to the improving Sheamus. The winner has gone on to boost that form with an impressive win at Fairyhouse this week and looks like he could possibly be a graded performer. With a few of these having their seasonal debut and Noel Meade’s charge having fitness assured, he could prove hard to beat here with a clear round. The selection probably has most to fear from Morney Wing for the newly formed Heskin/Connell partnership. This will be the geldings first start in 123 days but he did go close in three hurdle races when last seen. With a clear round he is sure to have a say in the finish but I think he may have to improve considerably to trouble the Meade runner. Of the remainder Jim Culloty’s Marvellous Moment appeals most and any strong market support would be significant. Couleur France (WIN)

19:40 Wolverhampton For my last selection we switch to Wolverhampton for a race on the all weather. Not many in the lineup look all that well treated but there are a few open to improvement. Saying that my selection is going to be the Marco Botti trained Solar Deity who is a proven performer on the all weather. While he does return from a 202 day layoff, the son of Exceed and Excel has two wins to his name when returning in the months of October/November from a summer break. Catching him fresh may be the best time to catch him and while others are open to more improvement, he has less to prove and looks open to some improvement on his current mark. John Gosdens unexposed three year old Maverick Wave heads the betting here and has won his sole all weather start. On paper he possibly looks handicapped up to his best but is capable of improving on his current mark. While the colt may find more improvement at this trip, I would have a question mark that the trip may bring more improvement from him. He probably is the rightly favourite in this though as the colt is still fairly unexposed. Of the remainder Ginger Jack and Earth Drummer appeal most while the second Botti runner is a relative unknown after only two UK starts. Solar Deity  (E/W if 5/1+)