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15:30 Chepstow
Rossa Ryan boasts a 32% winning strike rate in the last twelve months at the course and rides the Richard Hannon runner Orliko in this race. A winner on first run over a mile, he then stepped back to seven furlongs and could only manage a midfield finish in very testing conditions last time out. Now returning to a mile and with conditions improving, he looks to have a good chance of returning to the winners’ enclosure today.
All the rest of the field are yet to taste victory but Eve Johnson-Houghton tends to do well with her runners at the course so Canavese could emerge as the main danger. Yet to fire in two races so far this season, she won’t be too far away if re-discovering her form when placed at Salisbury last August.
ORLIKO (WIN)
20:55 Balinrobe
We head on over to Ireland for today’s best bet where, in the last race, we take a chance on one of Gordon Elliott’s runners Veinard. Although the trainer of Grand National winner Tiger Roll is more well known for his horses exploits over obstacles he’s still saddled plenty of winners on the flat. A 6th placed effort last time out in what was Veinard’s only flat run was encouraging enough and although I’m not one for slating jockeys perhaps didn’t get the best of rides that day. Now with one of Ireland’s premiere flat jockeys, Declan McDonagh on board he looks to have a decent opportunity. A second over hurdles behind last years Group 2 Doncaster Cup winner Thomas Hobson looks like decent form and is probably the best on offer here. At the age of ten he’s certainly no spring chicken but with experience on his side and perhaps with a more prominent race position this time around he’s set to go well.
Fellow ten year old Rocky Court hails from the yard of Tony Martin and after his second placed finish in a chase recently deserves a tonne of respect.
At the other end of the scale there’s two younger ladies that should also challenge for the money in the form of Grove Hill and Tritonix. The latter did well to finish second but then disappointed when only managing to claim fifth subsequently. A drop down in trip should help Tritonix return to better form.
Grove Hill has been a model of consistency with two consecutive fourth placed efforts and if she can squeeze out a bit of improvement is certain to be in the mix once again.
VEINARD (WIN)
The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:
15:30 Chepstow – ORLIKO (WIN)
The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:
20:55 Balinrobe – VEINARD (WIN)
East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:
16:30 Chepstow – SWANTON BLUE (WIN)
Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:
20:00 Wolverhampton – ARLECCHINO’S LEAP (WIN)
Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:
17:00 Chepstow – JOHN JOINER (WIN)