14:30 Huntingdon We begin todays preview with a Class 4 handicap chase over two and a half miles. Innocent Girl will likely go off at a pretty short price and it’s not difficult to see why following two convincing victories since joining Harry Fry. The concern for me is that he has been upped 7lbs and this will be his third race in just eight days following eighteen months off-track. Jonjo O’Neill’s Mister Dick didn’t show much in eight runs over hurdles but won at the first time of asking over the larger obstacles when last seen in August, winning in impressive fashion. He races for a yard with a 36% winning strike rate over fences in the last three years here at Huntingdon and offers a much better betting proposition at early odds of around 4/1. Perfect Timing and Accessallareas both managed placed efforts on their respective last runs but both would have to improve to get the better of the aforementioned Innocent Girl or Mister Dick and the remainder offer even less in terms of recent form. Mister Dick (WIN)
16:25 Musselburgh Showdaisy has been in great form since moving to Keith Dalgleish and made all over course and distance last time out, beating a couple of higher rated rivals with relative ease. The cheekpieces stay on today and jockey Phil Makin is looking to make it three wins from three when riding the three-year-old filly. One Boy has a great record at Musselburgh, winning two and placing once from four runs, all over the minimum trip. He took advantage of a drop in the weights to record his first victory in over two years when last seen but was all out to keep his head in front so while a 2lbs rise doesn’t look overly harsh it could prove enough to mean he may have to settle for minor honours today. Compton River has been in excellent recent form, posting two wins and three seconds in his last five runs. Up 5lbs he will likely find this tougher but has made his presence felt off similar marks earlier in his career and has to be considered. Flash City and previous course and distance winner Storm Trooper are others who have the ability to get involved at early each way odds. Showdaisy (E/W if 9/2+)
16:45 Leicester The Hannon yard have been very hit and miss recently and have just an 8% winning strike rate over the last two weeks but have won this race in the last two years so Moneyoryourlife has to be of some interest. He produced his best effort so far when finishing third at Bath last month, however was still over seven lengths behind the winner. Bonnie Arlene has Silvestre De Sousa on board while Henry Did It is partnered by Jim Crowley and both have improved in recent runs so could get involved and are reasonable each way shouts at odds of around 7/1, however preference is for Snookered. Richard Fahey’s two-year-old has placed second on his last two runs, once over seven furlongs here at Leicester and once over todays’ trip on the all-weather at Newcastle. He was a little out-paced over the shorter trip but absolutely flew home inside the final furlong so with the extra distance and similar ground conditions he should be capable of gaining his first career victory today, adding to his trainers 21% winning strike rate at the course over the last twelve months. Snookered (WIN)
Comments