Friday 3rd May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
2.25 Newmarket: William Hill Newmarket Stakes: It’s a double whammy on Thursday with both Punchestown and Newmarket on offer and I’m kicking things off with the 2.25 at Newmarket which is a Listed event over a mile and two furlongs. I’m siding with Whip Cracker here for Richard Hughes and Jim Crowley. He was impressive when winning a novice event at Chelmsford back in October and returned to the track with a fine effort when second in the Fielden Stakes here last month. The yard has been in fine form and if he builds on that run from last time I think he can have a big say. Whip Cracker – 4/1 (Win)
3.00 Newmarket: William Hill Epic Boost Handicap: Next up at Newmarket is the 3.00 which is handicap action over a distance of seven furlongs. I’m with Darky Thirty here for the team of Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. He’s currently trading at a best price of 6/1 and he comes into the race in form having won on his seasonal reappearance here last month, in what was another competitive affair. He has a great record at this course which counts for a lot around here and off three pounds higher he can go close again. Dark Thirty – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.35 Newmarket: William Hill King Charles II Stakes: My third selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.35 which is more Listed action, this time over seven furlongs. I like Boiling Point here for the combination of Roger Varian and James Doyle. He was an exciting two-year-old last season with his campaign culminating when a shoulder second in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes. He returned to the track when second behind Ten Bob Tony last month and whilst that was still a very solid run it’s likely he’ll come on significantly from it. Should that be the case, I think he has to have a massive chance in this. Boiling Point – 9/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.10 Newmarket: William Hill Jockey Club Stakes: Moving onto the 4.10 now which is the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve come down on Castle Way here in the Godolphin colours for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He won three on the bounce last term, all three coming here, albeit one being on the July course in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy. He’s since finished second in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur behind St Leger winner Continuous and returned to the track when fourth in a Group 2 at Meydan. He likely needed the run in Dubai back in March and he should be a lot more tuned up here, he’s a classy horse and I think he can have a big campaign. Castle Way – 3/1 (Win)
4.15 Punchestown: EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase: My first selection from Punchestown comes in the 4.15 which is handicap chase action over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m chancing Perceval Legallois here for Gavin Cromwell and Mark Walsh. The Cromwell yard has been among the winners this week and have had a fine season overall and I think they have another solid dart here. It’s not gone to plan over fences so far this term for this seven-year-old, however, he was still going okay when falling last time at the Dublin Racing Festival in Grade 3 company. He won competitive handicap hurdles last year and certainly has the ability, if he gets a bit of luck here he can go close. Perceval Legallois – 9/2 (Win)
4.50 Punchestown: Hanlon Concrete Irish EBF Glencarraig Lady Francis Flood Mares Chase: Next up at Punchestown is the 4.50 which is a Grade 2 Mares Chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I like Brides Hill here who’s another for Gavin Cromwell and this time the mount of Sean Flanagan. She’s had a fine campaign to date, progressing with each start when winning a novice, handicap then a listed event on her most recent outing at Huntingdon in January. She missed Cheltenham so will come here fresh and she should enjoy the sounder surface here. I think she’s got a massive chance. Brides Hill – 6/4 (Win)
5.25 Punchestown: Event Power Champion Hunters’ Chase: Moving onto the 5.25 which is the Champion Hunter’s Chase over three miles and half of a furlong. I’ve sided with Famous Clermont here who’s currently a 5/1 chance in the betting. He comes here fresh having been off the track since finishing second to Espoir De Guye at Wincanton back in February, however, he has some very solid hunter chase form from last season which I think makes him a big player. Most notably, he won the Aintree equivalent last term and a return of that level of form would certainly give the hot favourite Its On The Line something to think about. Famous Clermont – 5/1 (Each-Way)
7.05 Punchestown: Uniquely Novice Hurdle: Signing me off from Punchestown and the day is the 7.05 which is a novice hurdle over two miles. I’m with the Cheltenham winner Lark In The Mornin here for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. He looks a very progressive sort and won the Boodles in impressive style, despite the reports of the heavy ground not being ideal for him. He’ll get a sounder surface here which could bring out more improvement in him and that Cheltenham success gives him the best form coming into this particular contest. Lark In The Mornin – 11/4 (Win) (NB)
Image provided by https://www.horseracingphoto.co.uk and is licensed under a Creative Commons
