Sunday 29th December 2024
11.35 Southwell: Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Nursery Handicap: My opening selection on Sunday will come on the all-weather at Southwell and the 11.35 which is a Class 4 handicap over six furlongs. I’m going with Ardennes here for Michael Appleby and Frederick Larson who takes off three pounds. He posted his best effort to date within handicap company last time out at Kempton earlier this month when finishing second of nine and just a length and a half behind the winner. He’ll contest this off just a pound higher mark and he should be getting his head in-front sooner rather than later. Ardennes – 9/2 (Each-Way)
2.47 Doncaster: Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle: Next up for me is the 2.47 at Doncaster which is a Class 3 handicap hurdle over three miles and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on the outsider of the field here in Erne River for the tea of Nick Kenton and Tom Broughton who takes off five pounds. He’s not shown much, if anything, since winning over fences at this meeting last year. However, he does seem to save his best form for Doncaster and as a result of his recent form finds himself on a tempting mark. If this course does spark him to life once more he could well outrun his odds. Erne River – 11/1 (Each-Way)
3.05 Leopardstown: Neville Hotels Premier Handicap Hurdle: My third selection of the afternoon comes from Leopardstown and the 3.05 which is a Listed handicap hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. I like Park Of Kings in this for Paul Nolan and Peter Smithers who takes off seven pounds. He’s a bit hit-and-miss with his form, however, on his most recent start last month he finished three-quarters of a length second in a similar contest at Naas and is effectively on a lower mark here taking his rider’s claim into consideration. If he turns up in the same kind of form for this assignment he can definitely have a say. Park Of Kings – 11/1 (Each-Way) (5 places)
3.35 Southwell: Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the 3.35 at Southwell which is a Class 6 handicap on the all-weather that’s ridden over a distance of five furlongs. I’m with Show Me Show Me in this for Richard Fahey and Cam Hardie. He’s not been far away on his last three starts as he’s not been beaten further than three lengths on each occasion, and his mark has continued to tumble. He’s now thirteen pounds lower than his last winning mark and if he gets a bit of luck in running here, he can certainly go close at this low level. Show Me Show Me – 5/1 (Each-Way)
