Thursday 30th March 2023

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Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

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A warm welcome to this Thursday blog where we return to action with four fancies, two from Taunton and two coming from Warwick. My first selection of the day comes in the 2:40 at Taunton, a Handicap Chase over two miles and seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Mumbo Jumbo here at 9/2 for Emma Lavelle and Joe Anderson who takes off a very handy seven pounds. He arrives here still a maiden but has some rather solid form to his name in competitive contests, he should appreciate the drop-down in grade and it would be disappointing should he not put in a bold effort within this company off his current mark.

My second pick of the day comes in the 3:15 at Taunton, a Handicap Hurdle that’s contested over two miles and three furlongs. I like the chances of Balko Saint here at 3/1 who represents Jane Summers and Peter Williams who takes off seven pounds. He went close on his most recent outing which came over fences at Wincanton in February, when narrowly denied by just a neck, and was a smart hurdler back in his day. It’s probably safe to say that his best days are behind him, however, he’ll contest this off a mark way below his last winning one and also has the added bonus of a seven-pound claim coming off. If there was ever a day he could get his head in front again, this would be it.

Over to Warwick now for their 3:35 which is a handicap chase that’s ridden over a distance of two miles. I think that this is all about Saint Segal at 15/8 who’s the NAP and currently heads the betting for Jane Williams and David Noonan. He developed into a smart hurdler last season and has since transferred that ability to the larger obstacles in seamless style, winning his first two outings in smart style before just being denied at Doncaster in January when running on late in a hot handicap. If turning up in the same form as we’ve seen him in recently I think he could prove very tough to beat.

My fourth and final punt of the day comes in the 5:15 at Warwick which is a National Hunt Flat Race that’s contested over two miles. I’ve sided with Elle Est Beau here at 2/1 for Dan & Harry Skelton, who has a nice pedigree and looks a potentially nice type for her powerful stable. She’s out of an unraced sister to a very useful bumper winner, and she represents owners that often have smart types for the yard. If she’s ready to go here, which she very likely will be, she could prove to be a cut above the field.