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14:55 Hamilton
What an open race we have to kick start our six selections this Monday where I’m opting for one of the more experienced runners in the lineup. Someone Exciting may not have won here at Hamilton but has finished in the top three on five out of six course starts. Prefers a bit of cut in the ground so the current good to soft going should help and I’m happy to take 12/1 especially if some bookies are paying out on the first four.
SOMEONE EXCITING
15:25 Hamilton
The next race on the card is over five furlongs and I’m plumping for the top weight Ventura Flame. A course and distance winner who’s been woeful this year but is unbeaten here at Hamilton. Competed at Group level as a two year old and with Keith Dalglish bagging a handful of winners lately.
Although the likes of Quanah, Show Palace and Major Pusey all have obvious chances I reckon at 11/1 I’ll take an each way swing with the three year old filly.
VENTURA FLAME
17:35 Hamilton
I’m opting for a more fancied runner in the last up at Scotland where My Ukulele has competed over course and distance twice this year and finished third on both occasions. I’m hoping she’s not going to turn into the proverbial bridesmaid and with a little less weight on her back today may well be her day.
MY UKULELE
15:50 Fairyhouse
It wouldn’t be me without a trip to Ireland to pick out a Denis Hogan trained runner and today is no different. Hogan is set to saddle three in this seven furlong handicap and it’s the outsider that I’m opting for. We have Caesar’s Comet priced around 12/1, Mulzamm at 16’s but Tony The Gent at 18/1 gets my money. The seven year old hasn’t won on turf since August last year and has been poor in his last three starts however started the season with a positive third in a similar race at Naas. The difference there is the horse had better ground unlike the bottomless surface he’s raced on lately. He gets his better ground today and with less weight to carry could capitalise.
TONY THE GENT
13:00 Leicester
The opening race of the day at Leicester is one where I’m going with a horse who aims to win this contest for the second time. Peachy Carnehan came second in this in 2018 before winning this last September. In each instance he didn’t show much prior to going well and the same can be said this time around. Trainer Michael Molineuax is in solid form with a couple of recent winners and 9/1 looks mighty generous for a horse with such good form in the race.
PEACHY CARNEHAN
14:35 Leicester
Last but not least sticking at Leicester I’m hoping a veteran can roll back the years and add a win to his extensive racing career. If Firm Decisions can produce anything close to his best he should be able to claim at least a place in this Class 5 contest. He likes it here at Leicester with two wins and two seconds from seven starts here and trainer Nigel Tinkler bagged the winner of the Ayr Bronze cup on Friday.
Obviously Sycamore looks an up and coming type who looks sure to go close but with 8 runners I’m happy to go with Firm Decisions for a place at 13/2.
FIRMDECISIONS
written by Rory Paddock
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