SUNDAY WEEKENDER

14:55 Bath

Most eyes will be on the big group races over in Ireland today but I’m sticking with UK action for all three of todays selections, the first of which is a nursery handicap over ten furlongs.

The current favourite hails from Sir Mark Prescott’s yard who are having a great season and they send Not So Gentle to try and shake its maiden tag today. A decent enough finish in fifth last time out and a step in to handicap company certainly might help. However the horse has never been shorter than 33/1 in all four of its previous starts and although it is feasible that the horse could’ve been kept for a race like this I have to look elsewhere.

Another horse with just the four runs to its name is Mick Channon’s Masterson who has the added advantage of having former champion jockey Paul Hanagan up top. Channon has had a handful of winners over the last fortnight and with a second and a third to the horses name it has shown more than its rivals. A step up over a mile should help and looks a rather generous price at around 5/1

Masterson (WIN)

16:05 Bath

As with the first selection I’m plumping for another Paul Hanagan ridden entry. The jockey jumps on top of the current favourite Algaith who was impressive enough when winning on the all-weather on its previous start and a decent third placed effort the time before that also looks promising. Unlike its main market rival Emell it has had a less packed campaign this season and looks to be the one to beat.

Of the remainder Capo Rosso may have a chance if it can put its best foot forward but unfortunately looks to be destined to keep its spot as the proverbial bridesmaid with two seconds in its last three outings.

The horse I fear the most is Brian Meehan’s runner Mustadeem who could cause problems on a going day, my slight concern however is wether or not you can judge the horse to put in a decent performance on a specific day and with such inconsistency I have to stick with the favourite.

Algaith (WIN)

16:25 Ffos Las

Our third and final selection of the day sees us take a de-tour to Wales and the meeting at Ffos Las for the fifth race on the card.

The current favourite and bottom weight is Champagne Champ. A horse that has done very well picking up course and distance wins on its last two starts. These victories however were in much lesser grades than todays race and I just don’t think the three year old will have enough scope to take the vast jump from class six to class three company.

Felix Fabulla is a fellow course and distance winner that has been ultra consistent for Hughie Morrison this year. The five year old does well at the course and the current 13/2 price seems mightily generous. I do feel however that the Liam Keniry ridden runner may find one or two too good and with only six horses scheduled to go to post there’s no scope for an each way punt.

I am going to go with Karraar, a horse I fancied when sixth last time out behind the impressive Wadi Al Hatawi at Newmarket. A drop in class will serve the horse well as will the drop of a pound in the horses handicap mark. William Haggas hasn’t been keen to try the horse too much this year and may have saved something for the end of the season and I’m hoping that it can be today that it finds itself in the winning enclosure once again.

Karraar (WIN)

Please also note the following selections for todays Group races at The Curragh in Ireland:

14:35 – Carla Bianca (E/W)

15:05 – Great Minds (E/W)

15:40 – Tanaza (E/W if 9/2+)

16:15 – Birchwood (E/W)

16:50 – Agent Murphy (E/W if 9/2+)