_edited.png)
14:20 Tramore We start today’s action over in Ireland with a summer jumps card from Tramore. The market leader looks set to be Dennis Hogan’s five year old Eric The Grey. A horse that ran well in two attempts at Galway. That sort of form looks better than today’s rivals but it’s previous exploits over an obstacle was a less than impressive ninth placed finish. If it can transfer its flat performances to the jumping sphere then it should have a great chance but there’s no guarantee it will so is worth taking on at a short price. One of the biggest threats to the favourite, as well as today’s selection, is bottom weight Free Scorpion. Two placed finishes in its last two outgoings looks decent enough form and the additional seven pound claim from promising amateur Jack Kennedy will be a great advantage. There isn’t much to put me off the four year old other than the potential value of the pick being a bit better. We all saw the recent exploits of Ruby Walsh over in Australia when riding the winner in their Grand National. His confidence will undoubtedly be on a high and he sits aboard Sam King for his father Ted. The lightly raced five year old has plenty of room for improvement and I’m sure the Walsh duo will be able to eek out the horses potential today. Sam King (E/W if 9/2+)
16:45 Dundalk Staying in Ireland but switching codes and surface to Dundalk’s penultimate race on their card. A one mile apprentice handicap isn’t the best race today but I’m hoping it could act as the scene of a potential decent priced winner. Hat Alnasar has decent form at the venue and the Halford trained runner is a worthy favourite after a decent run at Galway. My slight doubt with backing the three year old is it’s lack of consistency. It’s undoubtedly the one to beat but I’m taking a chance on a bigger priced runner. Said runner is actually represented by the same yard as the favourite with the stable entering three of the runners in this lineup. The selections earlier form at this venue is pretty good and a decent enough seventh of fourteen on its last trip to this course should have dusted off some early season cobwebs. Decent amateur Connor McGovern takes off a few pounds and an advantageous low draw should give Lonan a good outside chance. Lonan (E/W)
17:35 Southwell We end today’s picks by crossing over to England to tackle the final race from Southwell. The Sue Smith trained runner Perseid put in a much improved performance in its last race when finishing third at Worcester. The horse was staying on strongly that day and should benefit from the step up in trip today. Promising young jockey Sean Quinlan takes the ride and is by far the biggest threat to my selection in the nine runner lineup. Jonjo O’Neill has his yard hitting a bit of summer time form with a 20% strike rate in the past fortnight. The Irish trainer saddles the current market leader Steps And Stairs who has the enviable booking of top jockey Darryl Jacob to take the reigns. Two second placed finishes shows the horse has ability and the fitting of cheekpieces could have a boost to its chances. I must admit it was a close call between my selection and the Sue Smith runner but I have to side with the inform stable and hope it can put its head infront this time around. Steps And Stairs (WIN)